Edited by Kọ́lá Túbọsún and Salawu Olajide, the OlongoAfrica multilingual anthology features 10 previously written English stories, translated into 10 different African languages.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
OlongoAfrica launched Volume 2 of its multilingual anthology project on February 21, 2026. The launch, which coincides with this year’s International Mother Tongue Day, represents OlongoAfrica’s commitment to a future in which literature on the continent is not limited to those produced in colonial languages but includes all languages of expression on the continent.
Edited by Kọ́lá Túbọsún and Salawu Olajide, this anthology features 10 previously written English stories, translated into 10 different African languages. The featured stories have been translated into Somali, Gikuyu, Sesotho, Zulu, Ewe, iziXhosa, Ndebele, Ekegusii, Arabic, and Amharic. These translations have been voiced and recorded to accompany the project, creating an immersive multilingual literary experience.
The featured stories include Cousin Sister by Emelda Gwitimah, translated as الأخت ابنة الخالة by Ibrahim Fawzy; 3 Reasons Why I’ll Be a Cat in My Next Life by Kawira Koome, translated to Somali by Abdihakin Ubahle; A Mention of My Father by Leila Aboulela, translated to Gikuyu by Peter Mburu Kuria; Won’t You Eat Again? by Akorfa Dawson, translated to Sesotho by Cece Celestina; Meeting Yewa by Rachel Barduhn, translated to Zulu by Mamodiehi Gwala; The Healer by Noel Cheruto, translated to Ewe by Fred Hayibor; The Grandparents by Musu Bangura, translated to iziXhosa by Vuyokazi Ngemntu; The Jini by Wangari Wamae, translated to Ndebele by Thompson Ndlovu; Eclipse by Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, translated to Amharic by Tesfaye Kirubel; and Footsteps by Victor Unwuchola, translated to Ekegusii by Jane Obuchi.
The inaugural edition in 2023 was supported by Sterling Bank Nigeria, Brick House, and individual donors. For this edition, OlongoAfrica acknowledges the support of the estate of Aisha and Gbenga Oyebode Family Office who have supported the project materially.
Enjoy the offerings of Volume 2 of the multilingual anthology here.