Culture & Society
Kampala by Design
Demas Nwoko’s design philosophy stressed the importance of beauty and significant sustainability, a message that travelled beyond Nigeria to Kampala, Uganda. Read More...
‘We Must Rethink Architecture’ Tosin Oshinowo’s First Draft
Nigerian architect and designer, Tosin Oshinowo, believes that, now more than ever, the growing awareness of the climate crisis makes it imperative for architects to rethink building practices: ‘The next generation of practitioners will likely be better equipped than mine, as sustainability is now a fundamental part of their training and practice. With the right encouragement, we can expect to see meaningful change.’ Read More...
The Power of Looking at the Everyday
In her narrative feature debut, Mambar Pierrette, Cameroonian documentarian, Rosine Mbakam, captures life in crisis-stricken Cameroon and the resilience and fortitude that Cameroonian women must embody every day. Read More...
‘The Worst Thing to Tell a Poet Is That There Is No Money in Writing Poetry’ Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto’s First Draft
Nigerian poet and author of ‘The Last Time I Saw My Father’, Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto, believes many African stories are underappreciated: ‘The literary landscape is vast, and countless voices and stories have yet to receive the attention they truly deserve. It is not always about a single book but rather the collective body of work from diverse regions, cultures, and languages.’ Read More...
Language Is the First Casualty of Exile
In the autumn of 2019, while Professor Femi Oyebode and I walked along Prescott Street, he told me that language is the first casualty of exile. I have watched my use of the English language lose its colonial stance for a more limber approach that is quick-witted and light-hearted. Read More...
‘Romance Works Deserve Mainstream Attention’ Tomilola Coco Adeyemo’s First Draft
Romance writer and author of A Very Gidi Christmas, Tomilola Coco Adeyemo, says her debut novel was an attempt to rewrite the love stories of her loved ones: ‘In my head, I was writing a universe where the things that were wrong in real life became right.’ Read More...
7 Books That Will Bring Some Drama to Your Reading
In our latest book recommendation, we have compiled a list of books that will bring some drama to your reading. From the story about the struggles of women in war-torn Liberia to an exploration of the brutal realities faced by queer people for living authentically, these plays will spice up your reading with some drama. Read More...
Idris Elba and the Reification of Things Fall Apart
News of Idris Elba starring in the screen adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart has generated mixed opinions. These opinions have raised questions about why works of fiction are often treated as real, rather than imitations of reality. Read More...
‘I Love a Messy Romance’ Maame Blue’s First Draft
Ghanaian writer and author of The Rest of You, Maame Blue, says her debut novel, Bad Love, was inspired by own dating experiences at the time of writing: ‘I wanted to explore how first love shapes who we are for everyone else we meet afterwards, and what it means to navigate a relationship for the first time.’ Read More...
7 Books Every True Romantic Should Read
In our latest book recommendation, we have compiled a list of books every true romantic should read this Valentine’s season. These books are sure to reward you with all the lovey-dovey emotions. Read More...
