Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
@mailbykite.bsky.social
Cultural worker/buruh seni. Disabled, from JKT. ANNAH, INFINITE out now ❤️🔥 Also wrote amuk, ULTIMATUM ORANGUTAN, ROPE, INDIGENOUS SPECIES, & I make art.
https://www.tiltedaxispress.com/annah-infinite/
https://www.tiltedaxispress.com/annah-infinite/
Pinned
The book of my life (so far), ANNAH, INFINITE is an escape story.
A translation of a painting, in speculative nonfic, poetry & art. Took 14 yrs, &I’m inviting you to love it as I do. Aug 19 UK, Nov 11 US.
For reviews/i’views/events: [email protected]
www.tiltedaxispress.com/annah-infini...
A translation of a painting, in speculative nonfic, poetry & art. Took 14 yrs, &I’m inviting you to love it as I do. Aug 19 UK, Nov 11 US.
For reviews/i’views/events: [email protected]
www.tiltedaxispress.com/annah-infini...
Thank you to Wasafiri, and to Sam Dapanas for their incisive, deeply attuned questions.
What a pleasure to chat ANNAH, INFINITE as speculative nonfiction and translation of a painting, the 1965 genocide, refusing ableist biases in art and literature, and more. #CripLit #Xl8
What a pleasure to chat ANNAH, INFINITE as speculative nonfiction and translation of a painting, the 1965 genocide, refusing ableist biases in art and literature, and more. #CripLit #Xl8
Alton Melvar M Dapanas speaks to @mailbykite.bsky.social on how her latest book ANNAH, INFINITE reshapes speculative nonfiction, and disputes the racial, gendered, and ableist biases of fraught literary and artistic spaces.
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
November 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
Alton Melvar M Dapanas speaks to @mailbykite.bsky.social on how her latest book ANNAH, INFINITE reshapes speculative nonfiction, and disputes the racial, gendered, and ableist biases of fraught literary and artistic spaces.
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Alton Melvar M Dapanas speaks to @mailbykite.bsky.social on how her latest book ANNAH, INFINITE reshapes speculative nonfiction, and disputes the racial, gendered, and ableist biases of fraught literary and artistic spaces.
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
Read now: buff.ly/YrKYEPD
Cannot say enough good things about this work of crystalline poetry, each poem—about Indian cities and kingdoms past and present—deeply relevant to the current political moment.
A treat to meet up w Rahul Soni and celebrate his translation of Shrikant Verma’s MAGADH.
A treat to meet up w Rahul Soni and celebrate his translation of Shrikant Verma’s MAGADH.
November 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Cannot say enough good things about this work of crystalline poetry, each poem—about Indian cities and kingdoms past and present—deeply relevant to the current political moment.
A treat to meet up w Rahul Soni and celebrate his translation of Shrikant Verma’s MAGADH.
A treat to meet up w Rahul Soni and celebrate his translation of Shrikant Verma’s MAGADH.
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
[COMMENTARY]
Congolese traditional medicine, rooted in cultural heritage, is disappearing due to the dominance of modern medicine. In rural areas, traditional healers remain essential, yet their knowledge is largely undocumented and often undervalued.
** The views expressed are the author's.
Congolese traditional medicine, rooted in cultural heritage, is disappearing due to the dominance of modern medicine. In rural areas, traditional healers remain essential, yet their knowledge is largely undocumented and often undervalued.
** The views expressed are the author's.
The uncertain future of DRC’s traditional medicine, a heritage to save (commentary)
Congolese traditional medicine is disappearing. Not due to a lack of usefulness, but due to a lack of space in an increasingly standardized medical world. Faced with the rise of modern medicine,…
news.mongabay.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM
[COMMENTARY]
Congolese traditional medicine, rooted in cultural heritage, is disappearing due to the dominance of modern medicine. In rural areas, traditional healers remain essential, yet their knowledge is largely undocumented and often undervalued.
** The views expressed are the author's.
Congolese traditional medicine, rooted in cultural heritage, is disappearing due to the dominance of modern medicine. In rural areas, traditional healers remain essential, yet their knowledge is largely undocumented and often undervalued.
** The views expressed are the author's.
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
“Rooted in Secwépemc knowledge, values and aesthetics, Tania Willard’s practice challenges us to expand our understanding of contemporary art and the role of the artist. She harvests berries to make ink drawings, uses wind and fire to compose poems and operas… she amplifies the power of the land.”
November 9, 2025 at 5:23 AM
“Rooted in Secwépemc knowledge, values and aesthetics, Tania Willard’s practice challenges us to expand our understanding of contemporary art and the role of the artist. She harvests berries to make ink drawings, uses wind and fire to compose poems and operas… she amplifies the power of the land.”
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
Having a taste for cooking in Gaza is a joy only those who have lost it can truly understand. I can now easily make a delicious cup of coffee. I am so grateful.
November 9, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Having a taste for cooking in Gaza is a joy only those who have lost it can truly understand. I can now easily make a delicious cup of coffee. I am so grateful.
Saying no to a residency in the US I’d so been lking fwd to, in a city beset w violent ICE raids—I’d asked for an escort to & from the airport, for my safety, and they said no.
Better safe than staying somewhere that cares little for the very real danger racialised, disabled migrants go through.
Better safe than staying somewhere that cares little for the very real danger racialised, disabled migrants go through.
November 9, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Saying no to a residency in the US I’d so been lking fwd to, in a city beset w violent ICE raids—I’d asked for an escort to & from the airport, for my safety, and they said no.
Better safe than staying somewhere that cares little for the very real danger racialised, disabled migrants go through.
Better safe than staying somewhere that cares little for the very real danger racialised, disabled migrants go through.
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
In exactly 1 week (Nov. 15) we have science writer Sabrina Imbler’s workshop, WRITING ALONGSIDE THE NONHUMAN. Participants will imagine an ethics for writing that extends beyond empathy, discussing work fr Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian, etc.
www.workshops4gaza.com/calendar/wri...
www.workshops4gaza.com/calendar/wri...
Writing Alongside the Nonhuman — Workshops 4 Gaza
Step 1: Donate to Sameer Project here (sugg. donation $40) Step 2: Register for “Writing Alongside the Nonhuman” here It is one thing to write about animals, plants, and other non-human...
www.workshops4gaza.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:48 PM
In exactly 1 week (Nov. 15) we have science writer Sabrina Imbler’s workshop, WRITING ALONGSIDE THE NONHUMAN. Participants will imagine an ethics for writing that extends beyond empathy, discussing work fr Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian, etc.
www.workshops4gaza.com/calendar/wri...
www.workshops4gaza.com/calendar/wri...
This is a travesty!
It’s been a pleasure working with Lex and everyone in the politics vertical at Teen Vogue. I’m heartbroken that my column, Disability Visibility, is gone. Teen Vogue was one of the few places that published disabled journalists regularly. I just spent the last 2 months working on my next column
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
This is a travesty!
A reminder came in the mail of poetry’s multiform abilities.
I have a new poem in Magma’s Liberation Issue, alongside many wonderful voices, and will be reading at the online launch:
Register at magma93launch.eventbrite.hk
THU 13 November, 7PM GMT
I have a new poem in Magma’s Liberation Issue, alongside many wonderful voices, and will be reading at the online launch:
Register at magma93launch.eventbrite.hk
THU 13 November, 7PM GMT
November 6, 2025 at 2:19 PM
A reminder came in the mail of poetry’s multiform abilities.
I have a new poem in Magma’s Liberation Issue, alongside many wonderful voices, and will be reading at the online launch:
Register at magma93launch.eventbrite.hk
THU 13 November, 7PM GMT
I have a new poem in Magma’s Liberation Issue, alongside many wonderful voices, and will be reading at the online launch:
Register at magma93launch.eventbrite.hk
THU 13 November, 7PM GMT
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
#ConsciousWritingMonth continues with Writing with Grief, Thu 6 Nov at 7pm GMT
Led by Khairani Barokka @mailbykite.bsky.social, write alongside grief in all its forms as we seek how to capture and honour what is disappearing and disappeared
🍂 Free for Being a Writer members
🍂 £15 tickets available
Led by Khairani Barokka @mailbykite.bsky.social, write alongside grief in all its forms as we seek how to capture and honour what is disappearing and disappeared
🍂 Free for Being a Writer members
🍂 £15 tickets available
Conscious Writing Month - The Literary Consultancy
Welcome to Conscious Writing Month 2025
literaryconsultancy.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM
#ConsciousWritingMonth continues with Writing with Grief, Thu 6 Nov at 7pm GMT
Led by Khairani Barokka @mailbykite.bsky.social, write alongside grief in all its forms as we seek how to capture and honour what is disappearing and disappeared
🍂 Free for Being a Writer members
🍂 £15 tickets available
Led by Khairani Barokka @mailbykite.bsky.social, write alongside grief in all its forms as we seek how to capture and honour what is disappearing and disappeared
🍂 Free for Being a Writer members
🍂 £15 tickets available
Rest in power, Aprila Wayar, Papua’s first woman novelist. We will miss you. 🤍
October 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Rest in power, Aprila Wayar, Papua’s first woman novelist. We will miss you. 🤍
Full house opening night. 💜 Thank you, BHM, for coming out to support tandem solo shows by wonderful Bella Milroy and I. Thank you, Grand Union, we are overwhelmed.
Up at Birmingham School of Art until Nov 27. Virtual walkthrough & more info coming soon via GU.
Up at Birmingham School of Art until Nov 27. Virtual walkthrough & more info coming soon via GU.
October 17, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Full house opening night. 💜 Thank you, BHM, for coming out to support tandem solo shows by wonderful Bella Milroy and I. Thank you, Grand Union, we are overwhelmed.
Up at Birmingham School of Art until Nov 27. Virtual walkthrough & more info coming soon via GU.
Up at Birmingham School of Art until Nov 27. Virtual walkthrough & more info coming soon via GU.
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
Take a moment with Khairani Barokka @mailbykite.bsky.social and Writing with Grief
This moment invites you to hold grief as a companion, writing alongside it in all its forms as we seek how to capture and honour what is disappearing and disappeared.
🍂 Thu 6 Nov, 7pm GMT
#ConsciousWritingMonth
This moment invites you to hold grief as a companion, writing alongside it in all its forms as we seek how to capture and honour what is disappearing and disappeared.
🍂 Thu 6 Nov, 7pm GMT
#ConsciousWritingMonth
Conscious Writing Month - The Literary Consultancy
Welcome to Conscious Writing Month 2025
literaryconsultancy.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Take a moment with Khairani Barokka @mailbykite.bsky.social and Writing with Grief
This moment invites you to hold grief as a companion, writing alongside it in all its forms as we seek how to capture and honour what is disappearing and disappeared.
🍂 Thu 6 Nov, 7pm GMT
#ConsciousWritingMonth
This moment invites you to hold grief as a companion, writing alongside it in all its forms as we seek how to capture and honour what is disappearing and disappeared.
🍂 Thu 6 Nov, 7pm GMT
#ConsciousWritingMonth
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
Publishing day! My pamphlet ‘How to train your Dragon’ is out now with @vervepoetrypress.bsky.social - awarded the @disabledpoets.bsky.social for 2025 by the fantastic @jamierhale.bsky.social , @pollyrowena.bsky.social and @mailbykite.bsky.social . Today’s dragon is a heavy one but my heart is full.
October 16, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Publishing day! My pamphlet ‘How to train your Dragon’ is out now with @vervepoetrypress.bsky.social - awarded the @disabledpoets.bsky.social for 2025 by the fantastic @jamierhale.bsky.social , @pollyrowena.bsky.social and @mailbykite.bsky.social . Today’s dragon is a heavy one but my heart is full.
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
I know I have a few journalists following me...I hope some of you will stay on this. There are many organizations sitting on millions of dollars that people from around the world donated for the people of Gaza. This money needs to get to the people it was meant for so they don't have to beg anymore
It's not just UNRWA, every organization has received a record amount of donations they haven't been able to give to Palestinians in Gaza
www.reuters.com/world/us/pal...
www.reuters.com/world/us/pal...
Palestinian Americans fundraise for Gaza, as aid groups receive record donations
Palestinian Americans and aid groups in the United States are raising funds for Gaza, which faces a deepening humanitarian crisis as the Israel-Hamas war enters its fourth week - but they have as yet limited ability to get supplies into the besieged enclave.
www.reuters.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I know I have a few journalists following me...I hope some of you will stay on this. There are many organizations sitting on millions of dollars that people from around the world donated for the people of Gaza. This money needs to get to the people it was meant for so they don't have to beg anymore
Been installing my show KEROKAN POL, alongside Bella Milroy’s tandem show ‘popcorn fur’—we are LANGUAGES OF INTIMACY, curated by Grand Union.
I directed 4 shorts, shot in JKT, incl subtitles & translatn w a twist.
Oct 16-Nov 27, BHM Schl of Art ✨ACE-funded
www.grand-union.org.uk/whats-on/bel...
I directed 4 shorts, shot in JKT, incl subtitles & translatn w a twist.
Oct 16-Nov 27, BHM Schl of Art ✨ACE-funded
www.grand-union.org.uk/whats-on/bel...
Bella Milroy and Khairani Barokka, Languages of Intimacy - Grand Union
Grand Union is an arts organisation based in Digbeth, Birmingham
www.grand-union.org.uk
October 14, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Been installing my show KEROKAN POL, alongside Bella Milroy’s tandem show ‘popcorn fur’—we are LANGUAGES OF INTIMACY, curated by Grand Union.
I directed 4 shorts, shot in JKT, incl subtitles & translatn w a twist.
Oct 16-Nov 27, BHM Schl of Art ✨ACE-funded
www.grand-union.org.uk/whats-on/bel...
I directed 4 shorts, shot in JKT, incl subtitles & translatn w a twist.
Oct 16-Nov 27, BHM Schl of Art ✨ACE-funded
www.grand-union.org.uk/whats-on/bel...
eleanorlisney.substack.com/p/what-stori...
Thank you, Eleanor Lisney, for interviewing me about ANNAH, INFINITE for the ESEA culture podcast Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice. 🙏🏼✨
‘What stories are silenced when history paints over the living?’
Thank you, Eleanor Lisney, for interviewing me about ANNAH, INFINITE for the ESEA culture podcast Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice. 🙏🏼✨
‘What stories are silenced when history paints over the living?’
What stories are silenced when history paints over the living?
Listen now (44 mins) | In conversation with Khairani Barokka
eleanorlisney.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:13 AM
eleanorlisney.substack.com/p/what-stori...
Thank you, Eleanor Lisney, for interviewing me about ANNAH, INFINITE for the ESEA culture podcast Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice. 🙏🏼✨
‘What stories are silenced when history paints over the living?’
Thank you, Eleanor Lisney, for interviewing me about ANNAH, INFINITE for the ESEA culture podcast Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice. 🙏🏼✨
‘What stories are silenced when history paints over the living?’
This looks absolutely amazing. I cite @talilalewis.bsky.social’s work constantly (truly just cited them in a guest lecture on Friday).
This is pay what you want, October 23rd and October 30th 2025. Two consecutive Thursdays at 5p - 7p PT // 7p - 9p CT // 8p - 10p ET.
This is pay what you want, October 23rd and October 30th 2025. Two consecutive Thursdays at 5p - 7p PT // 7p - 9p CT // 8p - 10p ET.
Every single time Chantal tries to educate folx about how ableism and fascism are interconnected, defensiveness abounds galore so many of you could benefit from this Pay-What-You-Can virtual Disability Justice training, featuring @talilalewis.bsky.social: www.healthjusticecommons.org/fall-politic...
October 13, 2025 at 10:11 AM
This looks absolutely amazing. I cite @talilalewis.bsky.social’s work constantly (truly just cited them in a guest lecture on Friday).
This is pay what you want, October 23rd and October 30th 2025. Two consecutive Thursdays at 5p - 7p PT // 7p - 9p CT // 8p - 10p ET.
This is pay what you want, October 23rd and October 30th 2025. Two consecutive Thursdays at 5p - 7p PT // 7p - 9p CT // 8p - 10p ET.
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
One of the things about this study is that a lot of baby and toddler books are written in house, by editors. So the study reveals the whiteness of editorial in kidlit even if not explicitly. But, big picture, this trend is unacceptable. I remember so many promises www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
‘Catastrophic decline’ in Black representation in children’s books
A report by charity Inclusive Books for Children found that of the 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 featured a Black main character, down by 21.5% since 2023
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:38 AM
One of the things about this study is that a lot of baby and toddler books are written in house, by editors. So the study reveals the whiteness of editorial in kidlit even if not explicitly. But, big picture, this trend is unacceptable. I remember so many promises www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
I translate from Indonesian to English, & do art & writing projects that expand understandings of translation: access as translation, intermedial translation, incl latest books amuk (translating a word thru poetry, tracing colonial mistranslation) & ANNAH, INFINITE (translation of a painting). #xl8
Thursdays are for Translators!
If you're a translator why not tell us a little bit about yourself, what projects you've on the go, what you've written, any events in the near future, or just drop your bio and links and follow and support each other
#TranslatorThursday #BookSky 💙📚
alt text please
If you're a translator why not tell us a little bit about yourself, what projects you've on the go, what you've written, any events in the near future, or just drop your bio and links and follow and support each other
#TranslatorThursday #BookSky 💙📚
alt text please
October 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I translate from Indonesian to English, & do art & writing projects that expand understandings of translation: access as translation, intermedial translation, incl latest books amuk (translating a word thru poetry, tracing colonial mistranslation) & ANNAH, INFINITE (translation of a painting). #xl8
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
I translate books from Korean into English. I was shortlisted for and later judged the International Booker Prize. I have thirteen (?) books scheduled to be published over the next three years.
Next up is CAPITALISTS MUST STARVE by Park Seolyeon, for which I am touring the UK later this month.
Next up is CAPITALISTS MUST STARVE by Park Seolyeon, for which I am touring the UK later this month.
October 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
I translate books from Korean into English. I was shortlisted for and later judged the International Booker Prize. I have thirteen (?) books scheduled to be published over the next three years.
Next up is CAPITALISTS MUST STARVE by Park Seolyeon, for which I am touring the UK later this month.
Next up is CAPITALISTS MUST STARVE by Park Seolyeon, for which I am touring the UK later this month.
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2025/10/07/t...
We’re still going!
@sfdirewolf.bsky.social @thellpsx.bsky.social
#ConnectingGaza
We’re still going!
@sfdirewolf.bsky.social @thellpsx.bsky.social
#ConnectingGaza
Two Years of Genocide+: Crips Aren’t Done Sending eSims to Gaza
Two Years of Genocide+: Crips Aren’t Done Sending eSims to Gaza Two years, what the fuck. It really has been two years to the day since Israel’s heightened and prolonged genocide against the…
disabilityvisibilityproject.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Reposted by Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia)
This was twenty-three months ago. Israeli forces have killed more than 16,365 kids since.
November 7, 2023 — Kids in Gaza host a press conference, in English, to beg the world for life.
“We come now to shout and invite you to protect us; we want to live, we want peace…we want to live as the other children live.”
At the time, Israel forces had killed over 4,200 kids like these.
“We come now to shout and invite you to protect us; we want to live, we want peace…we want to live as the other children live.”
At the time, Israel forces had killed over 4,200 kids like these.
October 7, 2025 at 4:57 PM
This was twenty-three months ago. Israeli forces have killed more than 16,365 kids since.