Cover photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash.com.
Beloved,
When I first made the decision to get into reading African Literature after years and years of consuming books by white people with characters that were predominantly white, I didn’t know where to start. Despite reading and thoroughly enjoying Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe for my college literature class, the task of intentionally reading black and afro stories seemed daunting. So I settled on starting with short stories in African Literary Magazines (Lolwe being my absolute favourite as evidenced by this list). Over the years, even though I’ve read more and more long form African work and a few more short stories, these are the ones that have stuck on my mind.
1. They Were Dancing Naked by Sada Malumfashi
I think this is the first story I read after I decided to read more African Literary Magazines. It explores how mental illness travels through families and how most times, these same families do not know what to do with that. This story is discomfort wrapped in beautifully strewn together words. However, there’s a particular scene (if you know you know) that is so visceral and disturbing it made me feel so uncomfortable in a way only the best writing can.
2. The Giver of Nicknames by Rémy Ngamije
I will never not be astounded by the opening of this story. Every time I read it (and I’ve reread it many times) I’m just like damn, why can’t I write like that. And Rémy’s mastery of writing shines through the entirety of this story through his wordsmith narrator. Trying to summarise this will do it an injustice, but here it goes anyway; this story looks at racial, gender and class dynamics in less than 5000 words which is an impressive feat since it all comes together nicely without being heavy handed. All this is told from the experimental lenses of a teenage boy who realises that sometimes you’re the very things you want to abhor – or at least a degree of separation from it. Honestly those last few lines still bring shivers down my spine.
3. Oubliette by Howard Meh-Buh Maximus
I read this story because it’s featured together with my own in the Afro- Young Adult collection; Waterbirds On The Lake Show. I vividly remember laying down then quickly sitting up and thinking “Well, hello that took a turn.” Like all the other stories on this list, this one is also complex. It’s not about one thing but if I could summarise this into a picture that’s not particularly true to the story but somehow captures its essence, it would be this:
4. Light by Lesley Nneka Arimah
My dad died when I was very very young. But if he hadn’t, I would have hoped our relationship could have been something like this. This was just a gorgeous exploration of fatherhood, especially through the lens of a father – daughter relationship. The opening of the story is some of the most gorgeous writing I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing – infact even the ending and the like the entire middle.
5. Sanctum by Naomi Waweru
I cried real hard when I first read this. I literally balled my eyes out. Not only because of the subject matter but because of how tender is it. The writing, oh my God the writing is every rendition of the word tender – it is gentle as well as the poking pain of a sore bruise. This could be one of the loveliest if not the loveliest story I’ve ever read.
6. A Spectator of Cherished Intimacy by Uzoma Ihejirika
Immediately after I finished reading this I reread it. There’s so much to unpack in this one story. True to its name, it is about being on the outside looking in. In particular it is about longing for a mother’s love and approval as you watch her freely give it to your sibling – but that’s just a part of it. Condensing it into one thing is virtually impossible. But this story makes you sympathise with the main character and then rips that away. Man, this story breaks my heart each time.
7. Quiet Revolutions by Dytodo Vox
This probably my favourite short story in the world. And I’m not only saying that because it was written by my mad titan best friend. Sometimes I will be in bed and just think “God. Pain. God and Pain. Pain. So much goddamn pain” and wonder how she thought of the line or of the events that unfolded in the story. The beginning of this is a masterclass in how to start a story in a way that will grip the reader by the throat. And the way it’s tied in later in the story? My God. Daya Moses is one of my favourite characters ever and I think about her often.
