THEME: ‘CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND WORK OF PROF. NGŨGI WA THIONG’O’

DEADLINE: 21 JULY 2025

The African Griot Review is an avant-garde digital magazine that takes an in-depth look the arts-and-culture scene in Africa and its Diaspora. Following the demise of Prof. Ngũgi wa Thiong’o on 28th May 2025, The African Griot Review will be publishing a Special Edition dedicated to the life and work of the Kenyan-born intellectual and literary titan. To this end, we are accepting submissions from all over the world. These could be in the form of tributes, photos, illustrations, poetry, reviews or essays. Those who never met the departed professor but were influenced by him or his literature are welcome to share their tributes. The submissions may be in English, Kiswahili or Gikũyũ. Tribues that may already have been shared on Social Media or personal blogs are acceptable providing the submitter holds copyright over them. Copyrights over photos and illustrations will also remain with the contributors.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

1. ARTICLES

- Must relate to Ngũgi wa Thiong’o or his work (books, speeches, activism, teaching career etc)
- Between 800 and 1,500 words long.
- Times New Roman font, 12-points, double-spaced.
- Type ‘Ngugi Tribute’ and the title of your piece in the subject line of your email. Attach article as Microsoft Word document.
- Include short author bio: 300 words or less.
- Send to submissions(at)theafricangriot.com

2. REVIEWS
These must be about Ngũgi wa Thiong’o’s books or stage plays.
-  Between 800 and 1,500 words long.
- Times New Roman font, 12-points, double-spaced.
- Include short bio: 300 words or less.
- Include 1 – 3 photos of the theatrical production on stage or the front cover (in case of a book.)
- Type ‘Review Submission’ and the title of your piece in the subject line of your email. Attach work as Microsoft Word document.
- Send to submissions(at)theafricangriot.com

3. POETRY
Must relate to Ngũgi wa Thiong’o or his works.
- 1 – 3 poems only.
- 40 lines maximum per poem.
- Times New Roman font, 12-points, double-spaced.
- Preferably unpublished but may be considered if you hold the publishing rights.
- Type ‘Poetry Submission’ in the subject line of your email. Attach work as Microsoft Word document.
- Include short author bio: 300 words or less.
- Include 1 – 3 photos of the theatrical production on stage or the front cover (in case of a book.)
- Send to submissions(at)theafricangriot.com

4. PHOTOS / ARTWORKS
These could be selfies you took with the professor, photos, drawings, paintings, cartoons etc.
- Include short bio: 300 words or less.
- In case of photos, include a caption (and date/place where possible)
- Type ‘Photo/Art Submission’ and the subject line of your email.
- Send to submissions(at)theafricangriot.com

Works featured in The African Griot Review may also appear on the parent website, TheAfricanGriot.com

For further information or clarification e-mail: editorial(at)theafricangriot.com

Deadline for all submissions is 21 July 2025.

Previous issues of The African Griot Review available here: https://theafricangriot.com/theafricangriotreview.html