Publisher's Synopsis
THE HISTORICAL SHORT STORIES TOLD BY YOUNG AFRICANS: In the stories told by young Africans, the military eras of the past are like hawks flying over the continent. The military were ruthless. We can't shy away from this history. Their rulership can be described as the mimicking of the once colonial oppressors. The culture of football is quite profound in Africa, and there is an attempt by one of the young writers to appropriate the place of Nigeria's dream team of 1996.There is a story linked to the famous tale of flying slaves. There is a similar one linked to the caste system, Òsú, once practised in Igbo land. There is a good depiction of Africa's royal kingdoms of the past.We have had our wars and these histories are being retold in new dimensions. Some young writers are empowered by feminist concepts. Traditional African religions and religions from outside (the West and the Middle-East) seem to clash in some of the stories. Spirits are present in most historical African tales. So are the men and women imbued with profound spiritual powers. All these are depicted in the wonderful writings of young Africans. THE CONTRIBUTORS WHOSE STORIES WERE LONGLISTED STORIES FOR THE 2019 K & L PRIZE: THREE BEASTS AND ONE PREY by Anyanwu Mathias (Nigeria); ABACHA FOREVER by Isaac Ayodeji (Nigeria); 1996 by Zenas Ubere (Nigeria); COLOURED TEARS by Blessing Ikang (Nigeria); CROSSOVER by Tega Oghenechovwen (Nigeria); OF A LIFETIME by Joseph Olamide Babalola (Nigeria); OSU by Obioma Obinna Kelechi (Nigeria); THE SECRET LIVES OF WATER BODIES by Mazpa Ejikem (Nigeria); THE TRAITOR'S HEARING by Daniel Alaka (Nigeria); MYSTERY DISEASE OF YAMBUKU by Desmond Efe (Nigeria); THE MANY-FACED GOD by M (Nigeria); RIGASA'S MAFRICA by Chidimma Onyekachuwu (Nigeria); IT'S OUR HALOWEEN by Jessica Ojuigo Chinonye (Nigeria); WOMEN'S MEETING by Great Opara (Nigeria); MANSA MUSA AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE by Dennis Mugaa (Kenya); SILENT DESTRUCTION by Mary Udoh (Nigeria); DYING MANY TIMES BEFORE OUR DEATHS by Ekemini Pius (Nigeria); BURYING MEMORIES by Mbanefo Chibuike (Nigeria); GOLIATH KILLED HIMSELF by Precious Nkem Ogbuenyi (Nigeria); INCIDENT by Temitayo Jaiyeola (Nigeria); NINETEEN SEVENTY by Ayodeji Falaye (Nigeria); LE JOOLA by Rotimi Robert (Nigeria); OGU UMUNWANYI: THE STORY OF NNEDI by Esther Chioma Ezeigbo (Nigeria); SHEHU'S WARDROBE by Ibemere Vivian (Nigeria); TEARS OF THE SUN by Kelechi Obasi (Nigeria); HONEY BEE by Sisca Julius (South Africa); THE REAL STORY by Omireh Chiamaka (Nigeria); WOMEN WHO WENT TO WAR by Frances Ogamba (Nigeria); VIRUS by Anselm Ekenedirichukwu (Nigeria); EVIL CHILDREN By Arowolo Ayokanmi (Nigeria); TEARS OF A BIAFRAN CHILD By Chidiebere Enyia (Nigeria); YELLOW SUNSET By Adebimpe Olorunfemi (Nigeria)