AfroReads Podcast

The First Woman by Jennifer Makumbi follows the journey of Kirabo, a Ugandan girl from a rural village, as she searches for her identity to try and find a place in the world. We explore her experiences with family traditions, feminism (mwenkanonkano), relationships, and the changing social and cultural landscape of Uganda during the time of Idi Amin's presidency. The complexities of identity and womanhood are understood through Kirabo's journey, as well as the folklore and mythology told to her, leads her to have a better understanding of what it means to be a woman.

This episode, we are joined by Mani Mengiste (no relation to the author) who is part of an African book club at Harvard, to discuss The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste. In her book, Maaza melodically tells a story of a group of people bound by a call to arms by the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie as a result of the 1935 invasion of the Italians. We talk about the history surrounding this time period, interesting themes in the book, and seek to understand the resounding pride that exists within the hearts of so many Ethiopians. Check out our guest Mani on Instagram @feedel_litarts. Book: The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste Thanks for listening.

At Night All Blood is Black, by David Diop is a novel about a Senagalese man by the name of Alfa Ndiaye, who goes off to war with his childhood friend fighting for the French during World War I. The story takes us through his emotions as he fights in the trenches to survive, both mentally and physically.  Please listen and support the community. Like, share and subscribe :)

This book talks about the real hustle of an American immigrant. The reality on ground, the battles they face in their home, work, and within the family. Please listen to us review this amazing book

The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed takes you through the emotions of a Somali immigrant named Mahmood, who finds himself in Cardiff, Wales. He has three children with a Welsh woman, but lives on his own with the belief that he has made it to the land of justice for all. A murder disrupts the city, and Mahmood finally understands how the justice system might not provide justice for all. 

Kopano Matlwa tells the story of a young doctor who struggles to find  her voice and speak out in defense of patients who have been  discriminated against in South Africa's political climate. The theme of  femininity and blood run throughout the book, while exploring xenophobia  towards black nationalists, further unraveling its impact in general on  the human condition.      Book: Period Pain by Kopano Matlwa  Guest: Wewe       Thanks for listening!    C O N N E C T :  instagram: @afroreadspodcast  facebook: AfroReads Podcast  twitter: @afro_reads      B U S I N E S S: For business inquiries, please contact:  [email protected]       Learning expands great souls.  ~Namibian Prove

Laila Lalami takes us through the emotional journey of a young man in Morocco by the name of Youseff, who searches for, and eventually finds his father. While skeptical of his father when they finally meet, Youssef can't help but to beleive that his father had good intentions for him as a young man. Through this journey, Youssef discovers his mother's secrets, his father's true nature, and the consequence to being associated with the wrong crowd.     Book: Secret Son by Laila Lalami      Thanks for listening!

Helene Cooper takes us through her childhood in Liberia, and the hardship that she and her family endured after the coup of 1980, forcing her and her family to relocate to America and start a new a storyteller and playwright who is native to Liberia. Check out her projects and follow Ciatta-Mae on Instagram @Lappastories.

Emma McCune, a British humanitarian aid worker, found herself establishing schools in what is now known as South Sudan. She falls in love with, and marries a warlord. How does a humanitarian aid worker end up marrying a warlord? This was a brilliant book, and helps the reader understand the history of Sudan and the etiology of the conflicts that have occurred, and still are occurring. *Emma's War by Deborah Scroggins

In this episode, we are joined by a special guest, Rufaro Mboneli, to discuss Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga. With Rufaro being from Zimbabwe, which is the setting of this novel, she was able to add a fresh perspective on the culture and characters. The title "Don't challenge me" represents the difficulties that young people, especially women may face in certain cultures just to attain a certain level of decency and comfort.    

Find out more about Rufaro Mboneli: Instagram: @rufie_pie      

Thanks for listening!   

C O N N E C T :  instagram: @afroreadspodcast  facebook: AfroReads Podcast  twitter: @afro_reads     

B U S I N E S S: For business inquiries, please contact: [email protected]      

Learning expands great souls.  ~Namibian Proverb