Afrika-Writes 2024 is excited to return for its annual literary festival, taking place from October 16th to 19th in Abuja, Nigeria in both physical and virtual formats. Themed “The Third Space: Identity & Indigenous Knowledge Production,” this year’s event promises to explore cultural identity, indigenous knowledge, and the ongoing journey towards mental and epistemological freedom in postcolonial societies. The festival’s main feature will be held at Adam’s Pages Bookstore, Suite 3014/3015, Kingfem Ga 247 Plaza, S. E. Asebe Street, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Abuja. Partners for the project include Adam’s Pages, SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative plus SEVHAGE Publishing, Vic’Adex 60 Seconds Poetry, Kairos Tablets and Scrolls, Orpheus Literary Foundation, and AJ House of Poetry.

Since its inception in 2019, Afrika-Writes has grown into a platform for engaging with critical issues in literature, art, and culture. The festival has consistently pushed the boundaries of discourse by using literature as a tool for social action, fostering reflection on Africa’s past, present, and future. This year, the focus on decoloniality—an evolving phase of decolonisation that goes beyond political independence to address mental and knowledge emancipation—will set the stage for thought-provoking discussions and performances.

The 2024 edition will pose key questions around identity formation in colonised societies: can we claim a true sense of identity from our hybrid postcolonial experience, or must we return to the cultural roots that were demonised by colonialism to reclaim an authentic identity? These questions, along with a broader inquiry into power relations in cultural and literary production, will be examined by writers, scholars, and thinkers from across generations.

The festival’s programme will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, book readings, and performances, offering a space for intellectual engagement and artistic expression. Workshops will also be held for both adults and secondary school students.

In line with the theme for this, certain books have been selected as festival texts and some of them include:

• The Famished Road by Ben Okri, a Booker Prize-winning novel that explores magical realism and the complexities of African identity.
• Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature by Ngugi wa Thiong’o, a seminal work that addresses the role of language in shaping African postcolonial consciousness.
• Decolonizing African Knowledge: Autoethnography and African Epistemologies by Toyin Falola, which focuses on reclaiming African knowledge systems.
• Once Upon a Village Tale by S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema, a contemporary exploration of life in a rural African community told in connected stories.
• The Gathering of Bastards by Romeo Oriogun, an acclaimed poetry collection that engages with themes of identity, loss, and belonging in African societies.

Festival attendees can also look forward to performances by spoken word artists, readings from emerging and established African writers, and a special solo performance titled “KWARARAFA: The Spirits Want a Home” by Oko Owi Ocho, the festival’s Creative Director. This historical and ecocritical stage performance will delve into the intersection of history, environment, and cultural identity, offering a rich narrative steeped in Africa’s past.

Since its launch in Makurdi, Benue State, Afrika-Writes has remained steadfast in its commitment to challenging false narratives about Africa and promoting literature that centres African voices and experiences. Each year, the festival tackles new themes that resonate deeply with both local and global audiences. Past editions have addressed topics such as the preservation of African languages, the role of women in African literature, and the emergence of new African fiction.

Oko Owi Ocho, the Team Lead of Afrika-Writes, reflected on the festival’s impact: “Afrika-Writes is not just a literary event—it’s a platform for dialogue, for questioning, and for reimagining our place in the world. We are excited to bring together such diverse voices this year to explore decoloniality and the ongoing search for identity.”

The 2024 edition will also feature influential figures in the African literary landscape, including Denja Abdullahi (former ANA National President), S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema (poet and NLNG/Nigeria Prize for Literature shortlisted author), and Star Zahra (designer and poet), among others.

Professor Udenta O. Udenta, this year’s headline speaker, will deliver a keynote address on the power dynamics in cultural production, drawing from his extensive experience in literature, cultural studies, and decolonial theory. As a renowned scholar and author, Professor Udenta’s insights will add depth to the discussions on decoloniality and indigenous knowledge.

Afrika-Writes 2024 promises to be a landmark event for lovers of literature and African culture. With an exciting line-up of activities and a focus on critical issues affecting the continent, this year’s festival offers a unique opportunity for both reflection and celebration.

For more information about the festival, including the full programme and how to participate, please contact the team at afrikawrites01@gmail.com.