Farafina Now

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Farafina Vol. 12, guest edited by Akin Adesokan, carries on its Letters page a note from the hilariously named Dingwo Normality. You read it and think: someone's having a laugh. Jim McConkey (who writes about Ayi Kwei Armah), Afam Akeh, and Omowunmi Segun (read her story, Homecoming) - are among the contributors. I am also in there, with my review of the film Bamako. As is Tade Ipadeola, who in the essay, Adedibully, casts a critical eye on Lamidi Adedibu, a man who gives a bad name to the term political godfather.
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In the previous edition, guest edited by Petina Gappah (and with contributions from the likes of Darrel Bristow-Bovey, Chris Abani, Kuzhali Manickavel and Tinashe Mushakavanhu) and published before the ethnic violence unleashed after contested elections in Kenya - I spotted this quote, illustrated by a misbehaving monkey. A certain Mrs Njeri expresses concern about rampaging monkeys destroying crops and killing livestock. It wouldn't have seemed possible, but soon, human beings would behave worse than the monkeys...

Afam Akeh Workshop

Afam Akeh (front, in white) with members of the Oxford University Poetry Society - at Lincoln College, Oxford, on 29 October 2007. Akeh (author of poetry collections 'Stolen Moments' and the forthcoming 'Letter From Home') led a creative writing workshop with the group. He is the editor of African Writing.

• Image courtesy of the Oxford University Poetry Society

Akeh @ Large on Sentinel

In a hugely ambitious essay cum review of not one but 4 recent collections of poetry by Nigerian poets (Memories of Stone by Chuma Nwokolo; The Bridge Selection by Nnorom Azuonye; Why I Don't Like Philip Larkin by Esiaba Irobi; and Heart's Field by Uche Nduka), Afam Akeh reflects on the notion of exile and its bearings on new Nigerian Writing. Where does one quote from? I don't know, but it's got to be read - 'Poor' African Writers Travelling: Home and Exile in Younger Nigerian Diasporic Writing.

The essay is published in the current issue of Sentinel Online. As it happens, Afam Akeh has been revealed as the new editor of what was known as Sentinel Quarterly. The last issue of the print journal in its present incarnation will be out in December (last issue edited by Nnorom Azuonye). From March 2007 however, it's all change with the print edition. With Akeh at the helm, the print publication will be known as Sentinel Quarterly: Journal of African and World Literature - with a special emphasis on 'African' - of course. Instead of the current tight focus on poetry alone, in will come Short Fiction, Reviews and Essays on poetry, fiction, music, theatre and film. Read the fine detail on Sentinel.

Akeh, Nwokolo @ the Poetry Cafe

Afam Akeh & Chuma Nwokolo Jr - photographed by MW, October 2005.

--From Sentinel Poetry Movement--

You are invited to the Sentinel-Eastern Light Literary Afternoon organised by Sentinel Poetry Movement and Eastern Light EPM International in celebration of Black History Month.

Agenda includes:

• Launch of the poetry collection Memories of Stone by Chuma Nwokolo, Jr.,
• Pre-launch of Letter Home - poems by Afam Akeh
• Unmasking the future of Sentinel Poetry Quarterly and introduction of the new Editor
• Open Mike - readings of works by black writers. Readers may read their own works or works by legendary black writers.

Venue: Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, London. / Time: 4pm - 6pm

Date: Monday, October 30th, 2006

Entry: FREE

If you would like to read at this event, or require more information please contact: Nnorom Azuonye (Event coordinator) E-mail: sentinel@sentinelpoetry.org.uk / Tel: 07812 755751

• More Info