Editor's Note
We are delighted to publish our 6th issue! We received many impressive submissions in both English and Swahili from across the African continent and diaspora for this issue; stories as richly varied in voice and style as they were in subject matter and which in their own way, were a necessary affirmation of how much Black African stories matter. We were honored to read and review each of them. From these, we selected six stories and one essay that not only reflect the times we live in but which also intrigued us with their unique points of view.
In Jadesola Ajao's “Black Roses”, blooming love and friendship are set on a collision course with police in Nigeria while Gladwell Pamba's “The Burdens We Carry” is a poignant and critical address of power and vulnerability in a patriarchal world. Duncan Mwangi's Swahili gem “Malumbano ya Uke” is contemplative yet light in its character's examination of identity, and Kasimma Okani's “My Late Grandfather” is a short, humorous dive into a cultural practice around death. Ebele Mogo's “Month 2” glimpses at dealing with ordinary bodily functions during a lockdown. Peace Mbengei's “Nerima” is raw and urgent in its characters' search for justice. In P. Ochieng’s essay, “A boy called daddy”, the deviant archetype takes a central role in a setting that is immediately familiar.
We hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as we did.
Happy reading!
The Editors
Christine, Ruth, Michael, and John
In Jadesola Ajao's “Black Roses”, blooming love and friendship are set on a collision course with police in Nigeria while Gladwell Pamba's “The Burdens We Carry” is a poignant and critical address of power and vulnerability in a patriarchal world. Duncan Mwangi's Swahili gem “Malumbano ya Uke” is contemplative yet light in its character's examination of identity, and Kasimma Okani's “My Late Grandfather” is a short, humorous dive into a cultural practice around death. Ebele Mogo's “Month 2” glimpses at dealing with ordinary bodily functions during a lockdown. Peace Mbengei's “Nerima” is raw and urgent in its characters' search for justice. In P. Ochieng’s essay, “A boy called daddy”, the deviant archetype takes a central role in a setting that is immediately familiar.
We hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as we did.
Happy reading!
The Editors
Christine, Ruth, Michael, and John