“Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.” — Mahmoud Darwish.
At KHAMSA, poets remind us that in an age of bite‑size content, long‑form art shouldn’t feel like a burden but as an essential breath of life; a reminder to experience humanity not just watch it.
In this Q&A, we sit with Hiba Rasheed, a UAE‑based Sudanese spoken word and slam poet whose verse weaves introspection, spirituality, injustice, and patriotism into compelling lyrical narratives. A multi‑award‑winning artist, she has earned her place in the region’s spoken word landscape with performances that echo personal truth and collective memory.
Her recent video piece, Ya Sudan, earned a Special Mention at the 12th International Video Poetry Festival in Athens—hailed as one of the festival’s most powerful works. Offstage, Hiba fosters poetic exploration among youth, earning the March 2024 “Gratitude Award” from Al Salam Community School for a workshop that inspired Years 7–9 through verse.
She’s a three‑time Rooftop Rhythms slam champion in Abu Dhabi—and in May 2020, became the first woman ever to win the Grand Slam title. A mother of three, she balances art and responsibility with courage and grace—crafting poetry rooted in grit, hope, and unwavering purpose.
All images are courtesy of Hiba Rasheed.
١. Can you share what first drew you to poetry and how your Sudanese heritage has influenced your voice as a spoken word artist?
Writing has always been my companion since I was young. I wrote my first short story when I was 6 years old. I also come from a lineage of writers and poets. My mother is a talented poet, and my late paternal uncle, Salah Ahmed Ibrahim, was a renowned and published poet. A few of his poems were sung by famous singers in the past. In addition, my late maternal uncle was an esteemed historian with published work.
I never knew I could write poetry until I was 11 years old. My uncle, the renowned poet, had passed away at the time, and it was my first confrontation with death. Everyone at home was devastated, and I was overwhelmed with grief. I then poured my emotions in writing and unintentionally wrote my first poem ever, which turned out to be an ode to my uncle. My late father was impressed and asked me to read the poem at my uncle’s funeral in front of many people. I recall being nervous and terrified but I eventually mustered the courage to read the poem for my father’s and uncle’s sake!
In retrospect, I believe what my father did built my confidence and paved the way for me to embrace poetry performances later in life.
My Sudanese heritage played a pivotal role in shaping my poetry in two ways. Firstly, I am a third culture kid. I was born and raised abroad, so I was never really connected to Sudan until I went to study for my bachelor’s degree there. A gap in my identity was filled when I connected with my roots and land. I became closer to my extended family and created wonderful memories there. Although I feel blessed to have been raised in a diverse culture, the experience of staying in my homeland for some time cemented my knowledge and attachment to my culture and people. Consequently, this experience has reverberated in my writings and made me more vocal and expressive about my heritage.
Secondly, there weren’t many of us who wrote poetry in English at the time. Although Sudan was/is brimming with talent in the arts, be it singers, poets, writers, artists and so on and so forth, most of them expressed themselves in Arabic which is a given as it is our language. Thus, it was crucial that I strove to represent my country, be it in person or in poetry, on an international level.
Of course, times have changed over the past decade, and numerous, talented and famous Sudanese writers, poets and artists have emerged, expressing their artistry in English.
٢. You’ve performed across many stages and platforms, what moment or performance has stayed with you the most, and why?
I recall that the most memorable and momentous performance I had was at the International Pecha Kucha event in 2008. It was held in Dubai, and it was/is the most challenging performance I have ever had. Firstly, it was my first time performing on stage after graduating in Sudan and coming back to live with my family. Secondly, I had to implement the 20:20 rule wherein I not only had to perform snippets of diverse poems, but also had to create a powerpoint presentation encompassing 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds. I had to perform each verse in synchronisation with each slide, and one tiny miss or mistake would have ruined my entire performance. It was an immense challenge but by God’s grace, I pulled it off.
After my performance/presentation was over, a young woman from the audience came up to me, hugged me and said that I restored her faith in humanity! (the theme of my presentation focused on introspection, goodness and spirituality).
Her words still linger to this day because being able to influence or impact people with my poetry makes writing even more worthwhile.
I have always written for myself, but also having others love and embrace my poetry is magnificent!
٣. Your poetry touches on spirituality, patriotism, and injustice. How do you navigate these themes while maintaining artistic integrity and personal vulnerability?
Excellent question!
I only write what I feel, whether it is positive or negative. If a certain unjust incident happens, and it does not move me, I cannot and will not write about it. That is why I never took up poetry or writing professionally.
I have been asked a few times to write about certain topics like the environment or nature at events, but I had to decline because I cannot conjure words that I don’t feel inside.
Honesty is the most significant cornerstone in my poetry writings, especially that I view my poetry as the mirror of my soul.
When it comes to personal vulnerability, I overcame the apprehension of sharing my vulnerabilities with the world a long time ago, perhaps this came with time and experience: experience of sharing work with other poets, receiving their feedback and constructive criticism, and having others relate to my openness in a positive way.
Moreover, the poetry community in the UAE is amazingly supportive; whether you are a beginner or a seasoned poet, whether you forget your words in the middle of your performance or carry on beautifully, the community is supportive more than competitive. Therefore that bravery and confidence of showing your weakest side or innermost feelings are always welcomed and embraced rather than shunned or ridiculed.
٤. What role does community, whether Sudanese, diasporic, or artistic, play in shaping your work and creative direction?
My very first interaction with the diasporic Sudanese poetry/writing community was in 2005 and it was online. I joined a preponderantly English forum called “Shamarat” (Gossip) which brought Sudanese writers, poets and thinkers from all over the world together. We shared poetry, stories, experiences and opinions. It was home away from home!
I recall I was the most active in my writings then because of all the support and positive comments I had been receiving from like-minded and talented poets and writers.
I was fortunate to have learned from them, and subsequently most of us became friends in real life.
As for the poetry community in the UAE, and like I mentioned in my former answer, it is the most supportive. Back in the late 2000s, the community was small but it has now bloomed and expanded.
I am also most grateful to my mentor and multi-award-winning poet/rapper Dorian Rogers, founder of Rooftop Rhythms Open Mic, and pioneer of the slam poetry competitions in Abu Dhabi, for believing in my talent and encouraging me to join the slam competitions which I came to win three times later on, by God’s grace.
٥. Could you walk us through your creative process from the initial spark of an idea to performance?
It could start with a word in a movie or a news story or a captivating instrumental that would strum my heartstrings. I would then start creating the lines in my head. My mentor believes in “internalizing poetry” which means feeling our poems deep inside, so when we perform them, we recite them with high emotions. I took his advice to another level and began to internalize my poetry by refraining from writing or typing my work while I am in the creative process. In other words, I would write the poem in my head, memorize it and then document it after I finish it. This process of repetition and memorization makes it easier to recall a poem after a long time when needed for a performance as well as deepens my connection and understanding of it.
Other aspects in my creative process involve using the thesaurus frequently to enrich my vocabulary and avoiding repetition of words; taking my time when writing and never rushing myself; in addition to diversifying my writing techniques to eschew boredom.
As for performances, I managed to build my confidence over the years and learned to control my nerves, but of course, there were times I made mistakes or forgot my lines.
I also make a habit of watching seasoned spoken word artists perform from time to time online so I can keep improving my style and vocal delivery.
Humility is the key. If I allow my ego to lead me into thinking that I am at my peak, I will never leave room to evolve or attain more, irrespective of my accomplishments. I do celebrate my wins and mourn my failures, but I always keep in mind that there is no limit to the portals of creativity, imagination and ingenuity which can be tapped in the poetry world.
Last but not least, I am the type of performer who enjoys reciting from memory rather than reading from a source. However, now that I have children to take care of and lead a busy schedule, I no longer have the luxury of intensive rehearsal time, so I opt for reading instead of reciting from memory.
٦. You’ve created powerful poetry videos like Ya Sudan and #IamTheSudaneseRevolution. How does the visual medium enhance your storytelling?
Poetry has a much smaller niche than songs, and we humans are visual people before being listeners. Having a video or music accompany my words provide a 360 degree experience for the audience. Translating the words to pictures is more impactful even for those who are not passionate about poetry. Not everyone has the time or energy to unravel or dissect the metaphors or word play or subtlety that poetry has to offer.
I am keen to reach everyone especially if the poem is relatable or crucial. Moreover, I enjoy challenging myself, pushing boundaries and elevating my creativity and poetry by using different mediums and concepts rather than keeping it all in one box.
٧. Among your body of work, are there particular pieces that continue to evolve in meaning for you over time? What do they reveal to you now that they didn’t before?
Yes, my self-reflection and spiritual poems that I wrote while growing up. These poems revolved around my personal struggles, identity issues, loss of my father and the conflict between good and evil in a personal and broader sense. When I read these poems now, they strike a chord in their meaning and value because they are proof of how far I have come in life, and the progress I made while tackling these issues and overcoming them over the years. They will always remain a constant reminder of my strength whenever I feel down or lose my way. They will serve as a benchmark of the milestones I have achieved not only by myself but also by the mercy of God, and the unconditional support I received from my wonderful family and friends throughout the years. It is my history being written, and my legacy passed on to my descendants. It is a blessing, alhamdulillah.
