ABDUL SWADIK NIYONKURU, whose stage name is Entoucas, is a rising artiste and poetry with an aim to do modern poems that include both youth and adults and help youth to love poetry just like other forms of arts.
"I realised that I could write when I was in senior four; when I attended an end-of-school year competition. By then, I became the only one who showcased a different talent from others; since most of them were athletes, dancers and players just to mention a few. I presented a 40 page story entitled ‘Poor Man in Love’ which was talking about school life and after school life. Based on the reception it got from the readers, I printed more than 123 copies for students to read and since then, I felt like I can really keep the writing passion I had for life,” Entoucas told The New Times.
From then, this musician and poet writes motivational quotes for youth and focuses on creating awareness on social media and advocacy for underprivileged, street kids. His first official poem, ‘Ghetto’ talks about the dangers of incompetent youth who want to live in ghettos. Ghetto was followed by ‘Ndarushye’ (I am tired) which is about the life and struggles of street children and their families.
After these two poems, Entoucas said that he met with a renowned poet, Rumaga who encouraged him. That is when he decided to become a poet officially.
Entoucas said that one of the challenges poets face is not having enough support, especially seeing how youth don’t like poems. However, he confirms that so far some people are showing their interests in poetry due to the creativity, visuals and images which are more artistic and cinematic like his poem dubbed ‘Umuntu’, and many more from his counterparts.
"Now I want to do poems that are cinematic and modern so that it can be more engaging. I also want to make it possible for Rwandan poets to participate in international competitions and win big awards.”
Speaking to this publication, Entoucas emphasised the fact that for them to be able to put the poem field on the level they want it to be, it requires enough teamwork among them as poets, passion and never giving up, plus delivering the best pieces of art to the ones who like poems too.
He added that he is soon releasing some new poems, some of are which are collaborations with his friends who are fellow poets. He appealed to artists to do more to follow up on what they do so as they can be supported accordingly.
Entoucas was born and raised in Kicukiro, Gikondo where he currently lives. He attended Kinunga primary school and went to Ecole Technic Kabgayi where he studied Electricity.