africanliterature Archives

A Native Nigerian Wedding

Your head has been anointed with oil. Your waist bedecked with fine beads,— From your mgbaji,— Beads of many different sizes, And colours. Now you...

Tobe sat on the long bench gasping for air. The night was hot and the sky gray, which was weird, but not as weird...

Filani’s eyes shot open, suddenly remembering that he was supposed to have an interview by 10am. Jumping out of his bed, he went straight...

Sade ran away from home. It was on a hot Saturday afternoon that she had left, Carrying a small bag with few of her belongings...

You do not know how I feel, Although you claim you do. You can walk past me on the streets And oogle at my...

Dear African child, why do you cry? Do you cry because of the hardships you face? Is it because you have no food to...

“A penny for your thoughts.” I said to him, The wise man That sat in the village square, Studying his environment and the people in...

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I never thought that they meant it literally, until two weeks ago. “Golibe!!” I...

African woman, black woman. Glory in the colour of your skin For it brings your frame to life Adding a touch to everything you do....

When I look into the sky, I see your eyes. And a glint of joy in them As you ran around our father’s obu Naked,...

1 “Selére, hurry up with that basket you’re weaving. I want you to go and buy me a new calabash.” Her mother called out. “Yes,...