George Kimble once said that the darkest thing about Africa has been our ignorance of it. This is unmistakably true as Africa is a map. One leading us to, ‘us.’ When we hear Africa all around the world, it is a picture of beautiful stories, proverbial tales and cultural wonders that come to mind; a pointer to our histories of yesterday. What really makes Africa is all that we remember. Not necessarily the plots or diction but more of emotions and abstract descriptions of culture and ways. A lot of this captures the spirit of The K and L Anthology: Histories of Yesterday, a collection of the best stories entered in 2019 for the rising pan-African literary fiction prize, The K and L Prize. The collection was edited by the authors/academics, Myles Ojabo and Uchechukwu Umezurike.

As in ‘Forever Abacha,’ a story in this anthology, I sense a powerfully branded image of imageries that leaves a son wondering between politics and safety. Fear and loyalty, which particularly depict to present day the sickness of our governmental root. Burying Memories also tells in strong emotional incentives of the instability and new life that comes with war. Unfortunately, not a newness that is of good but one that leaves us stranded somewhere between our past and future; slaves to the unknown. In this outstanding anthology, the writers have done well in reminding Africa where her problems lie. They have defined our present and as warning unveiled the future from the seeds of history.

Yet, even more skillful is the ability of the contributors to identify with themselves. No contradictions whatsoever. I see a whole continent telling different tales; some from pain, solitude, hope, beauty, traditions of varying degrees but all rooted in one history. One thing about Africa is how flexible and current like a flowing river she is. Journeying ahead of the future and waiting. Dictating the present with audacity. The African tales of old are relative like resounding gongs we know in sleep. I love this and to me it is a treasure. A documentary that isn’t just fiction but the reality of our brothers and sisters. Stories like ‘Honey Bee’, ‘Crossover’ and ‘The Secret of Water Bodies’ are culturally inclined. They are also mysterious and traditional, set in a typical African society. How these writers from different cultural backgrounds with different experiences and geographical locations have been able to build a connection beats me. When the lines are drawn vividly from one plot to another. One spirit to another and one piece of Africa to the other in words, this is what we see – A flower by the grave. History.

I’m once again reminded of Biafra; told of my sisters across the Congo and cries from the lips of a child. Even through pain the beauty is unmistakable. Yesterday was painful for some. To others it is a bowl of pleasant memories long gone. Yesterday is enticing as much as we on a cold day would hate its distant existence. This is life and this makes it real. How these histories stand relevant to today’s Africa is thus the major focus of these stories resurrected to mind.

One individual can begin a movement that turns the tide of history. – Jack Canfield says.

 

I strongly believe that this anthology is a bold coup that will in time, if taken to heart, turn the tide of history.

 

STAR OKPE is a Nigerian writer and poet. She is Miombo’s Princess Of African Poetry for the year,  2019.  Star is the author of The Dance of Dawn. The K & L Anthology 2019 can be bought for a very fair price at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VKZ4NQS/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_i_N.MpEbED76ZZT?fbclid=IwAR0OcGpbWfwp5J-cEruvF8qa8CMF_SVtA9C156HEtpIn-tH4iNppVQfYDXk