Babah Tarawally

Babah Tarawally is a Sierra Leonean-Dutch writer, journalist, and public speaker whose work explores identity, migration, humanity, and the power of storytelling. Forced to flee the civil war in Sierra Leone in the 1990s, he spent seven years navigating the Dutch asylum system—an experience that continues to shape his writing.

His acclaimed novels include The God with the Blue Eyes, The Lost Hand, Trapped in Black and White Thinking, and The Tamed Man. More recently, he published I Am Not a Mango, I Am Human, a powerful reflection on identity and belonging, and I Am Because We Are, an inspiring exploration of the African philosophy of Ubuntu and our shared humanity. Alongside his literary career, Tarawally also writes as a journalist and columnist for the Dutch newspaper Trouw.

Drawing on the philosophy of Ubuntu”; I am because we are”. Babah Tarawally brings people together through stories that transform complex social issues into deeply personal and universal conversations. His unique voice challenges stereotypes, builds bridges between cultures, and reminds us that our humanity is inseparably connected to one another.

At this year’s Rooted Festival, Babah Tarawally will take to the main stage for a keynote. Drawing on his personal journey and the philosophy of Ubuntu, he will invite audiences to reflect on belonging, shared humanity, and the ways empathy can help us build stronger, more connected communities.