There are many online literary magazines making the rounds these days, showcasing African literature. One of them is ‘Omenana’, (which means divinity in Igbo) a tri-monthly magazine which released its tenth issue in September. For several reasons, this magazine is worth exploring.
The Horror
‘Omenana’ focuses on speculative fiction (Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror or Magical Realism) a genre that’s worth exploring in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Nothing thrills fans of this genre more than a scary scene. Take for instance this scene from Eugene Odogwu’s ‘Baby Bones’: Two very wide and moist eyes were staring at me unblinking. The cold gripped my heart and prickles erupted across my skin. Something flashed beneath the eyes and it took me a second to realize it was a widening smile filled with yellow teeth. The eyes blinked and I tried to scream. My chest heaved and my mouth hung open, but no sound came through.
The central character in ‘Baby Bones’ dashed to an abandoned house to seek shelter during a downpour. This minor decision will set in motion three things: A scary box with human bones that would empty itself on his head, the nightmares that would usher in his past, and the horror that begins with an open window in his home.
Artwork
There’s always something seeming to lurk within the illustrations. It’s either a mouth that’s open like a vampire about to suck the blood of a human, or vacant eyes that make you want to unravel more. You are taken to other worlds, as is the intention of the artist, and of course you begin to speculate. Almost all the illustrations make quite an impression, but a couple stood out more than others.
Strictly African
Written by Africans, the stories harbour interpretations of myths, folklore and even magic that make them so, so African. This is why in Ronke Adeleke’s ‘Blood Ties’ you begin to wonder what ‘life tying’ is, where one soul is bound to another. Africans are known to be very superstitious and this tale is full of it:
If I had married the man Ma had arranged for me, the one whose bloodline ran so deep it could be traced to the first man, the man with a large family made up of many children and grandchildren – all strong, direct bloodlines that would guarantee one a sure way in this world, Nyanga would have had a crowd at her life tying today. Many would be fighting for their turn to bind my child’s life to theirs, instead there was only one unwilling soul and one fearful one, both waiting for more to arrive.
Variety
There’s something for everyone in these stories, from the story of a man who appears to hallucinate after smoking marijuana, a family who owns a famous local shop, and a love story. In ‘Undying Love’ by Ekari Mbvundula, a man is forced to live with eight words that come out of his girlfriend’s mouth: Tawene squeezed the fingers of her left hand until her knuckles made a popping sound – something she only did when she was unbearably anxious. She stood in front of Kaliwe’s door as the words he’d said on the phone echoed in her mind.
“It’s best if you never see me again.”
But the tale has just begun.
Artist spotlight
The magazine also contains a revealing interview with Olisa Onwualu, an artist based in Abuja, where he talks about his inspiration, challenges, and more. So, with seven stories and an interview, ‘Omenana’ gives literature lovers a treat.
There’s a deliberate attempt to avoid graphic violence and sex in ‘Omenana’, an instruction given in their submission guidelines.
But not all is well with the literary magazine; of course, there are issues with editing, here and there, especially where words are repeated. But overall, the magazine is a commendable effort and an exciting read.
