Paving the path to a
more just world
We envision a world where the vibrancy of Africana voices resonates across continents, where the echoes of ancestral wisdom guide us towards equitable societies, and where every individual is empowered to shape her/his/their destiny.
"Our research, scholarship, and search for knowledge, should take us to as many sites of knowledge as possible, even if this means moving outside our own comfort zones."
The Day ofOrature
A free, full-day public festival celebrating storytelling, spoken word, proverb, song, and the living art of oral performance — with a professionally adjudicated youth competition, live music, and cash prizes for young voices across Central New York.
5 performance categories: Spoken Word, Storytelling, Song-Based Narrative, Proverb & Wisdom Traditions, Call-and-Response
4 age tiers: Grades 3–12, adjudicated separately
Up to $5,625 in cash prizes awarded on the day
Distinguished live jury from academia, literary arts, and cultural institutions
Audition submissions open May 4 – May 29, 2026
Central New York's first dedicated public celebration of the world's oldest art form.
Orature — storytelling, spoken word, proverb, song, and call-and-response — carried knowledge, justice, and cultural identity across generations long before writing existed. Presented by the Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo Foundation in honor of the third anniversary of Professor Mũgo’s passing, The Day of Orature brings this living tradition into the public square, placing young voices at its center and inviting all of Syracuse to listen.
Empowering individuals to construct new sites of knowledge
The Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo Foundation is a global non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Pan Africanism, Orature, Creative Expression and Critical Human Rights.
Our vision is to create a sanctuary for the treasures of Africana expression.
Preserving an
inspiring legacy
Anchored in honoring the legacy of the late Professor Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo, the foundation is dedicated to building a world where the light of knowledge ignites pathways to empowerment, empathy, and excellence.
Furthering the vision of an Utu-inspired society
Elevating voices
Through an annual lecture series and orature funding, The Foundation supports diverse voices & stories in the spirit of authenticity.
Championing advocacy
We actively lend our voice to issues that align with our core value of Utu and advocate for policy changes & dismantling barriers.
Mentoring talent
The Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo Fellowship supports scholars, artists, and activists who embody our core ideals.
Insights
Utu: A philosophy of interconnected humanity
Derived from the Kiswahili word for “humanity,” Utu expresses the idea that to be fully human, one must recognize and embody values of mutual respect, empathy, justice, and the dignity of others.
The late Professor Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo championed Utu as a foundational principle in African ethical thought, linking it to the pursuit of human and people’s rights, cultural integrity, and the collective well-being of societies.
Become the spark
that ignites transformation
Your impact can help set change in motion.