The town welcomes you with the smell of seaweed and rotten algae. How that hits your nose depends on where you’re coming from. For her, the first question was, “which…

(cover photograph direction: David Obi) No one remembered when the pot first started cooking. It had been there before any of them were born—before the tarred roads came to Ama…

(cover photograph direction: Victor Akhere) The sign of the club frowned at Eli as he headed toward the back door. The entertainers and cooks in The Cotton Club had memorised…

(cover photograph direction: Victor Akhere) My sister was pregnant.   For four months now. I’m the one who sleeps with Makrina in the same bed, but I didn’t know it…

(cover photograph direction: Victor Akhere) When Edati’s husband rises from his grave, Edati welcomes him with a sullen face. She is displeased that he rises late. From the information Iya…

(cover photograph direction: Dagim Abebe) You are at the age of performing desirability. But it is Nneka, your roommate who primes herself like a broiler pumped with feed, eager for…

(cover photograph direction: Dagim Abebe) Egbunike is your husband. Remind yourself of this, whatever else he no longer is. Lover. Soulmate. Honey. You blame it on this small flat with…

CUE: Play Molly Drake’s ‘I Remember.’ HIM The pine tree was almost lifeless, nearly bare. A carpet of fallen needles and leaves with a chestnut hue had formed a rough…

July 06th The unrelenting rains ceased, dark clouds lifted, and we slowly began to count the dead — thirteen. From the muddy hills of Soufriere, to inundated valleys at Dennery,…