From the Writers Desk

The creation of our first Issue ‘The Longing’ started in May 2022 with an interest in public bickering about the state of The Gambia as a nation. What inspired most of the pieces here is how young people have embraced their voices to lash out about the country’s state. A central theme that inspired the creation of ‘The Trade at Gambejang’ was the consistent slogan “The country needs to be sold” presented by different people online, and those encountered in the street in the local dialect. We combined all the frustrations of living in the country to present this piece. The Mockingbird in this story is a combination of all our voices echoed together when basic human rights don’t work out as they are expected to.

The Pride’ takes a look at our history from Independence drawing specific historical facts in the narration, and we hope you can find them as you read along. Here we explore leadership in the three republics experienced so far to question in our way where the road has led us thus far.

‘Something in The Wind’, and ‘Cheers to Your Beautiful Mind’ might echo in a way pain and trauma to some. Whatever your experience might have been, we hope you remain brave. The two topics explored here are Female Genital Mutilation and Illegal Migration. 

Our poetry collection celebrates women in the definitions they embody of whatever it means to be a woman. Some of you might have been lucky to hear some of the pieces in the past, but if you are new here, we hope they speak to you as well. 

This Issue was proudly edited by my good friend Ejiro Erhue. Thank you for making this a rewarding experience. You’ve been a great support and teammate.  Thank you to the awesome people I’ve worked with along the way in creating this- Lamin Marenah, Didian Nzally, Anisha Marenah, Anthony Keita, and Sainabou Cham. And to our current team Nuru Daniel Abdul and Fatou Ndow, I’m grateful for all your contributions. Each of you in a way has contributed to how the stories have developed. 

 I might be biased in this, but I hope you find it rewarding too. It is my pleasure to inform you that my favourite piece on this issue is ‘The Faces of Sisterhood’ dedicated to my little sister who shares an admirable flare for life. For her I hope always, the world is as beautiful a place as when she detangles my hair.

 And to my late grandpa, Mr John Cardos, wherever the light has carried you to in the cosmos, I hope you know this Issue is dedicated to you. For that car ride, we never took to celebrate me growing up. I hope a tablet is passed on to you tonight, and that you find your place in all the ways you taught me how to listen out for our stories.