Rakiya by Ellis Shuman is an interesting collection of diverse short stories that transport readers to the heart of Bulgaria, a country with rich history, exotic traditions, and complex human experiences. Each story in the collection is drawn together by shots of rakiya, the traditional Bulgarian spirit, which the collection is unsurprisingly named after. Rakiya’s…
“Words and Other Weapons” by Thembe Khumalo is a thought-provoking collection of twenty-two essays and short stories that explore the multifaceted aspects of life; themes of growth, love, illness, ageing, and the various shades of human experience. The first piece, “Third Party,” stands out and delves into the challenges of a couple dealing with an…
The pied piper of Bamfete comes out when the moon is a thick slice of white goodness in the sky. He clutches the flute and lets out the shrill tone that it is known for. No one has seen the player of the instrument, some say he is cloaked by darkness and anyone who sees…
Fear is the first injury- Who are they? Are they human beings? Or are they truly spirits as many people in my village claim? One of my uncles swears that they are. Even Gogo, my sweet grandma, tells me that “these things are spirits”. Spirits? What are spirits? They tell me that akaka are…
The sound of sirens blaring in the distance had become familiar background noise in Lagos since the country’s economic crisis began. In the midst of it all, Adanna had found solace in her work as a nurse at the local hospital. She had always been passionate about helping others, but in these times of hardship,…
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