The anthology is billed to be released in the United States on the 15th of August, 2022.
By Editor
Mukana Press is set for the release of its anthology of contemporary African poetry. The anthology titled Old Love Skin: Voices from Contemporary Africa is edited by Zimbabwean poet and editor, Nyashadzashe Chikumbu, and comprises poems from fifty-two African poets. The anthology is billed to be released in the United States on the 15th of August, 2022.
Mukana Press is a new African publishing house that is deeply passionate about helping the world see through different lenses and learn from varied voices. Their team comprises African writers, poets and journalists living in the United States, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Old Love Skin is a compilation of love letters penned in the form of poetry, written by young voices from all across the African continent. The plurality of the anthology is exceptional. Whether the poets are giving space to their own sexual identities or addressing issues regarding culture and nationality, Old Love Skin functions as a solid reminder to the world that Africa is a continental centre for modern life and lifestyle and its articulations. It is an essential read for those interested in the imagination of a 21st century Africa.
“This highly imaginative and inventive collection of poems by fifty-two African poets writing from thirty countries across the continent, offers powerful poems that do not flinch from exploring experiences, hopes, aspirations that are deeply personal yet collective, the collection blurs the lines between the individual and collective voice in ways that are ironic, sad, humorous, light hearted, pessimistic, compassionate. Here poets subvert language, images and form to make them tell their stories, as well as being reflective of their past, present and future. Here poets remind us that human emotion(s) can be and are beautiful, the journey of self-discovery is as painful as it is cathartic,” says Chikumbu.
Emmanuel Sigauke, founding editor of Munyori Journal, notes that, “The book showcases some of the best poets creating poetry in Africa today, and deserves every claim it makes about being an anthology of African poetry.”
Some of the poets included in the anthology are Phodiso Modirwa, Taofeek Ayeyemi, Bryan Obinna Joseph Okwesili, Amira Al Wassif, Londeka Mduli, Nebeolisa Okwudili, Sihle Ntuli, Adjei Agyei Baah, and others.