Bye June!
Welcome July, and a whole lotta new friends!
Dear Friends,
I’ll start by saying welcome to the over one hundred of you who subscribed between yesterday and today. You, more than likely, arrived here after reading Katherine May’s, Substack Reads recommendation of Mythological Africans. I am honored by Katherine’s support and humbled by your interest.
My name is Helen. I was born and raised in Cameroon (West/Central Africa) but I now live in Atlanta, GA with the loves of my life: my cats Annie and Estrella. My academic background is in Journalism & Communication/ Public Health Research so curating MA is a passion project through which I scratch my storytelling and research itches, respectively.
My intention with Mythological Africans is to create a space in which Black/African peoples, but also all peoples, can explore and celebrate the African experience of wonder, enchantment and mystery as captured in stories, and do this in the context of the wider human experience of wonder, enchantment and mystery. I emphasize the connection of Black/African stories to the wider human story because racism (and the fight against it) can have a very constricting effect, pitting its victims (and yes, this includes white people) against each other. I believe that by connecting African stories to stories from around the world, we can remind ourselves of the fundamental truth of our interconnection.
MA’s goal is to be a fun and welcoming environment where we can all learn new things and enjoy the beauty and brilliance of Black/African peoples. But even more importantly, the MA community is about respectful communication, sharing accurate information, and open discussions which seek to call in rather than call out, connect rather than exclude, and celebrate the wonderful complexity of the humanity of which we are all a part.
I no longer actively curate MA as an online community, so you will not see me on Substack Notes or anywhere else, unless I need to make an announcement. The Mythological Africans website is your one stop shop for access to everything MA has to offer including Public Talks/Lectures, Research/Reference services and more!
However, I’ve moved the bulk of MA’s offerings across different social media platforms to Substack. Here are some favorites:
Where Do We Go From Here? Unraveling and Reweaving the Cultural Fabric (Essay)
Overview of African Sexualities (Podcast Episode & YouTube Video)
Intersexuality in the African context (Podcast Episode & YouTube Video)
Lesbianism in the African context (Podcast Episode & YouTube Video)
Homosexuality in the African Context (Podcast Episode & YouTube Video)
MA Research Process (Live Twitter Spaces discussion in podcast format. From when I wrote a collection of African Folklore retellings)
African Nature Poetry (Essay)
MA’s Twitter/X remains a rich resource, nonetheless. If you are on Twitter/X, search “@MythicAfricans <your topic of interest>”, and you will find everything I have ever shared on the topic. Here is a list of MA’s most epic Twitter threads.
These days, I produce weekly podcast episodes and send monthly newsletters. This year, I started a quarterly essay series in which I explore the history and cultural significance of neck rings in different African cultures.
I’m also (sparingly) available for public talks and podcast discussions. This month, I had the singular pleasure of chatting about African Folklore and the Dynamics of Culture with my fellow Cameroonians Bee Lola and B.E. Lyonga who host the phenomenal Two Bees in a Pod podcast… which brings us to…
…What To Expect From MA in July
There is a point in my conversation with the B’s where I flounder a bit while talking about the attitudes some Africans take toward unconventional dressing styles, especially when it intersects with gender roles. Since my brain won’t leave it alone, we’ll spend the month of July examining this topic, as always, through the lens of mythology and folklore.
So, I’ll see you next Sunday!
Until then, welcome again and be well.
Helen
Thanks for a wonderful, highly needed, very well researched and resource rich Substack. Glad to have stumbled into it!
Can't wait! And I love what you said: "I believe that by connecting African stories to stories from around the world, we can remind ourselves of the fundamental truth of our interconnection." A massive YES to that.