Video: Djimon Hounsou Tells Us How To Write About Africa

Video: Djimon Hounsou Tells Us How To Write About Africa

[embed width="620"][/embed]


In the well-known essay "How To Write About Africa," Binyavanga Wainaina facetiously sets the guidelines for successful "Africa talk." There is no comedy without tragedy and both are apparent in Wainaina's painfully true words. The humor and tragedy are also present in this video of Djimon Hounsou reciting the essay to a nameless young white girl (in a hotel room?). Hounsou has amnesia, he musta forgotten about his role as the noble savage Solomon Vandy in that Hollywood film that adheres to 95% of Wainaina's 'advice', Blood Diamond. As mentioned before, sometimes funny is sad.

The African Literature Ecosystem Used to Be Unstoppable. What Went Wrong?
News

The African Literature Ecosystem Used to Be Unstoppable. What Went Wrong?

The late 2000s to late 2010s were an era of vibrant publications, literary prizes, and the emergence of incredible literary talents. All that has been replaced with a loss of community and dwindling literary spaces.

​Photo illustration by Kaushik Kalidindi, Okayplayer.
Poetry

The 10 Best African Poems of All Time

These are the lines that have woken imaginations and stirred souls across the continent and beyond.