OlongoAfrica has released the second volume of its multilingual anthology project, expanding its effort to make African literature accessible in indigenous languages across the continent. The new edition was launched on February 21, 2026, to coincide with International Mother Language Day, a global observance that highlights the importance of linguistic diversity and the preservation of native languages.
Edited by Kolá 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, and Ekegusii. These translations have been voiced and recorded to accompany the project and put on YouTube. The featured stories, writers, and translators are:
- Footsteps by Victor Unwuchola (first published in Isele Magazine, 2023)| Translated as Amatacho(Ekegusii) and read by Jane Obuchi.
- 3 Reasons Why I’ll Be a Cat in My Next Life by Kawira Koome (first published in Brittlepaper(2023) | Translated as Bisado(Somali) by Abdihakin Ubahle and read by Farah Mohamed.
- The Jini by Wangari Wamae (first published in Omenana, 2021) | Translated as Inunu(Ndebele) by Thompson Ndlovu and read by Christopher Mlalazi
- The Grandparents by Musu Bangura (first published in BrittlePaper, 2023) | Translated as Umakhulu noTatomkhulu (ngokuguqulelwe ngu VuyokaziNgemntu) (iziXhosa) by Vuyokazi Ngemntu and read by Sandiswa Mtati.
- Eclipse by Ifeoluwa Adeniyi (first published in OlongoAfrica, 2024) | Translated as የፀሀይ ግርዶሽ (በፌሉዋ አዴኒ) (Amharic) by Tesfaye Kirubel and read by Natahim Addis.
- Meeting Yewa by Rachel Barduhn (first published in Afritondo Magazinein 2023) | Translated as Ukuhlangana noYewa(Zulu) by Mamodiehi Gwala and read by Ayanda Xaba.
- Won’t You Eat Again? by Akorfa Dawson (first published in Tampered Press2021)|Translated as Na u ke ke Ua Ja Hape? into Sesotho by Cece Celestina and read by Thothokiso Diaho.
- A Mention of My Father by Leila Aboulela (first published in Jalada Africa, 2020) | Translated as Kũririkana Baba(Gikuyu) by Peter Mburu Kuria and read by Edwin Wanyoro.
- The Healer by Noel Cheruto (published in Kikwetu Magazinein 2017) | Translated to as Dɔyɔla la(Ewe) by Fred Hayibor.
- Cousin Sister by Emelda Gwitimah (first published in OlongoAfrica, 2025) | Translated as الخالة ابنة األخت by and read by Ibrahim Fawzy.
The inaugural edition of the multilingual anthology project, released in 2023, was supported by Sterling Bank, Brick House, and individual donors. For the second volume, OlongoAfrica acknowledges the support of the estate of Aisha and Gbenga Oyebode Family Office and Dr. Kẹ́hìndé Ládíípọ̀, whose contributions helped bring the project to life.
Enjoy the offerings of issue 2 of the multilingual anthology here!
