Founder’s Note:
Named after my maternal grandmother Alhaja Abebi Monsurat Lasaki, The Abebi Award in Afro-Nonfiction exists to celebrate bold women writers who are unshackled by cultures of silence and shame, belting the chorus of their voices for all to hear. On the literary landscape on the continent at present, there are many opportunities for fiction and poetry writers, but it appears non-fiction as a genre does not enjoy that spotlight and development. As a Nigerian woman writing creative non-fiction primarily, I have come into an intimate knowledge of our real life stories and the power they have to become a mirror, to see ourselves and to pursue freedom.
It was this freedom I sought after when reading through the eighty-six entries received from more than a dozen of Nigerian cities; tales of motherhood, memory, loss, grief, pleasure – everything on the spectrum of emotions and interiority of women living in the country. Reading those entries affirmed my deeply seated belief that Nigerian women are powerful storytellers, and that our lives are themselves powerful stories. The essays selected as winners and notable entities for the inaugural award stood out for their brilliance in prose, authenticity, vulnerability but most of all, they shone for the tenderness with which a life was distilled onto the page. From reproductive autonomy to collective grief to the physicality of childbirth, to the power of matriarchal ancestry, to collective healing through memory; all the selected essays bared the souls of the writers as they grappled with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. These essays are a testament to their triumph and I am very pleased to present them to the world. To every single person who sent a submission, thank you for sharing your story with us.
My notes would not be complete without sincere and heartfelt thanks rendered to Jadesola Osiberu, the award winning filmmaker and CEO of Greoh Studios, who generously sponsored this award and the accompanying residency. Deep and boundless gratitude to Ope Adedeji and Ajoke Bodunde, my co-judges who committed both their time and expertise. Omolola – my godsend and administrative whiz – thank you for your help. Monjolaoluwa – my residency manager – I am indebted to you for your relentless support. Ukamaka Olisakwe, Editor in Chief of Isele Magazine, thank you for opening your home to these essays, for giving them a place to sing into the world. My mother, Morenike, for birthing me and listening to this idea in its earliest iteration. For all of Abebi’s daughters, thank you. To my grandmother, the fountain we all sprung from, Abebi mi; Olorun a te yin si afefe rere. Your memory is a great blessing to me, and even though I never met you, I feel you with me and I know you in my spirit. To the Master Creator and The One that Holds Everything together, your daughter is forever grateful. Look at the seed you placed in my hand Baba mi. See how I have bent to the soil to plant it. Please water it, let its leaves become a canopy of everlasting green that spreads throughout eternity.
See you next year!
In love and tenderness,
Mofiyinfoluwa O.
Announcing the Winner, the Runner-Up, and the Notable Entries of the The 2023 Abebi Award in Afro-Nonfiction:
Winner:
The Fire in My Memory | Immaculata Abba
Runner-up:
Notable Entries:
Birthing the Mother | Nana-Hauwa Sule