Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Co-founder of Cassava Republic Press
So when I heard African writers were convening at Ake, a small south-western town in Nigeria and home to Wole Soyinka, I thought I knew what to expect.
They were going to strut around saying a whole bunch of smart things about African literature and other serious matters. When they were not edifying audiences in workshops and panel sessions, they’d chat amongst themselves about African issues of world historical importance.
{A little bit of that happened, as I hear from the grape vine. Click HERE to get the scoop on the festival.}
What I didn’t expect is that they’d arrive in Ake with a bit of their inner fashionista, taking time out to pirouette before the camera all dressed and dolled up.
Well, they did! With a colorful adire collage in the background, writers and other industry folks struck poses for Victor Ehikhamenor’s camera.
The result is this stunning burst of dazzling smiles and beautiful faces.
Enjoy and do share!
{This glam edition of photographs is a continuation of Brittle Paper’s exclusive coverage of the recently concluded Ake Arts and Books Festival, which took place November 18-22. All images are courtesy Victor Ehikhamenor}
Nnedi Okorafor, Author of Lagoon
Naa-Ahiney
Molara Wood (wearing Ituen Bassey), Author of Indigo
Hawa Jande Golakai, Author of The Lazarus Effect
Ade Bantu, Musician
Beverley Nambozo, Author of Unjumping
Bassey Ikpi, Poet
Ukamaka Olisakwe, Author of Eyes of a Goddess | Michael Peele, Author of Swamp Full of Dollars | Molara Wood
Binyavanga Wainaina, Author of One Day I Will Write About This Place
Mukoma wa Ngugi, Author of Nairobi Black Star
Toni Kan, Author of Night of the Creaking Bed
Dami Ajayi, Poet
Ayodele Morocco-Clarke, Writer
Vera Botterbusch, Writer, director, filmmaker and photographer
Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, Author of The Funeral Did Not End
Okey Ndibe, Author of Foreign Gods, Inc and Olufemi Terry, 2010 Caine Prize Winner
Zukiswa Wanner, Author of Lodon, Cape Town, Joburg
Patrick O. Okigbo III, Principal Partner at Nextier Capital Limited
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Author of Whispering Trees
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