In An Ackee Shell

Safiya Kamaria is a British born Barbadian raised choreopoet.  She is known for her inter-disciplinary performances, and developed dance notation for the Black diaspora. Her debut poetry collection Cane, Corn & Gully (Out-Spoken Press, 2022) was shortlisted for the 2023 Rathbones Folio Prize and 2023 Felix Dennis Forward Prize for Best First Collection. 

Safiya is currently a PhD Student in Cultural Studies. She is working towards developing a new ethnographic framework that utilises Black dance cultures as an interviewing method to unearth new narratives. This includes the integration of poetry, theatre, and visual art. 

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Poetry
 

Safiya’s initial experience with spoken word occurred serendipitously in 2017 at Milk Poetry, a poetry slam in Bristol curated by Malaika Kegode. When asked to perform after a poet's absence, she delivered an impromptu piece which was popular among the audience. Safiya was encouraged by the host to pursue the art form further. Despite initial hesitation, Safiya soon recognised the potential of poetry to connect her interests in cultural studies and dance. Safiya's potential was recognised early by renowned poets Jacob Sam-La Rose, Malaika Booker, Joelle Taylor, Anthony Joseph and Anthony Anaxagorou who were particularly instrumental in encouraging Safiya's creativity.

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In 2018, while engaging with poetic form, Safiya encountered challenges related to her neurodiversity (Autism). To address these, she integrated dance into her creative process, developing innovative frameworks for writing, choreography, and the recovery of overlooked narratives. Her interdisciplinary approach has distinguished her both on stage and in print, establishing her as a significant figure within the poetry community.

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Safiya is the recipient of multiple national slam titles, including the UK Hammer & Tongue National Slam Championships and the BBC Edinburgh Fringe Award. In 2020, she received The New Voice in Poetry Prize and was shortlisted for the Out-Spoken Page Poetry Prize and the Creative Future Writer’s Award. Additional accolades include support from Apples & Snakes/Jerwood Arts Poetry in Performance and recognition as an Obsidian Foundation Alumna. Her commissioned work includes projects for English Heritage, BBC Bitesize, and The Wailers.

Her debut collection, 'Cane, Corn & Gully,' was published by Out-Spoken Press in November 2022. The book, which examines her Barbadian heritage through women's dances, is notable as the first to feature dance notation of the enslaved; a copy is housed in the National Museum of Barbados. She was subsequently shortlisted for both the 2023 Rathbones Folio Prize and the Felix Dennis Forward Prize for Best First Collection.

 

Safiya adapted ‘Cane, Corn and Gully’ into live literature performances showcased at several venues in the UK and abroad. By transforming her poetry into short plays, she embraced choreo-poetry, a form pioneered by Ntozake Shange. Safiya began identifying as a choreopoet in 2023. In 2025 Safiya began showcasing her her style of dance notation specifically curated for Black dance alongside her performances. 

 

Awards & Achievements
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• White Rose Arts & Humanities Doctoral Scholarship 

• Shortlisted 2023 Rathbones Folio Prize For Poetry

• Shortlisted 2023 Felix Dennis Ford Prize For Best First Collection

• ' The Guardian's Best Poetry Roundup - Read Here

• Poetry Book Society 'Winter Choice - Read Here

 

This bio will be updated regularly