Editorial: A Year Later…

This issue of Palapala magazine marks our first anniversary in existence.

Tolu Ogunlesi, one of our most diligent supporters and a recent nominee of the CNN multichoice African journalist of the year award, attends a Marechera conference in Oxford, and talks to those who knew and were impacted by the writer.

Dibussi Tande, a Palapala magazine editorial team member, reminds us that birds can soar with clipped wings in his response to Patrice Nganang’s essay on Anglophone Cameroon literature published on his blog, Scribbles from the Den. The debate continues…

In this issue, we also pay tribute to Bate Besong, the Obasinjom Warrior.

JKS Makokha takes us on the quest to Genesis as we “search for the source of myth” and “halves of truth”, so we can all sing this ‘anthem of hunger’.  

Dante Besong reveals the reactions of fellow tyrants to the death of Omar Bongo.

We interview Emma Dawson about spirit machines and world ‘Englishes’.  

George Esunge Fominyem discusses blogging, media and witchcraft.

Wirdzerem G. Barfee, Dzekashu MacViban, Abidemi Olowonira [our Artistic Director] and yours truly also have thoughts of their own.

Finally, Dipita Kwa, whose short was recently published in an Anthology of World Literature amongst other luminaries, gives us a glimpse into his novel in progress.

KFW
Founding Editor

Comments

[Wirndzerem G Barfee]

One year gone and come, and we must say congratz to the brains and hands behind this feat of an initiative: you have filled a recognisable space in the yawning lacuna of cultural landscapes, where young Cameroonian writers like my humble self could not have been dignified easily with the scarce securities of instant publication and consequent visibility. Some of the obscure "us" have greedily, and thankfully so, availed ourselves of this exposure opportunity that has yanked our modest artistic endeavours out of our moist and dusty lockers, we cannot but shout out a resounding 'thank you' to PP and the indefatiguable team behind it, wishing them all a happy year 1 anniversary! Kudos and bonne anniversaire!