By Khumbulani Muleya Fifty two poets drawn from 32 countries across Africa collaborated to come up with an anthology titled Old Love Skin released on August 15 in the United States by Mukana Press.
According to Kiran Bhat, writer, poet and author of We of the Forsaken World, the anthology is a compilation of love letters penned in the form of poetry, written by young voices from across the continent.
“The plurality of the anthology is exceptional,” Bhat said.
“Whether the poets are giving space to their own sexual identities or addressing issues regarding culture and nationality, Old Love Skin functions as a solid reminder to the world that Africa is a continental centre for modern life and lifestyle and its articulations.”
Edited by Nyashadzashe Chikumbu, Old Love Skin features nine Zimbabwean poets such as Philani A Nyoni, Prince R Chidzvondo, Leroy Mtulisi Ndlovu, Nicole Chimanikire, Tatiana Kondo, Carla N. Makumbe, Energy Mavaza, Fungai G Makuyana and Ruvimbo C Chikanda.
The collection is already receiving endorsements and rave reviews from the local, continental and global literary community including poet, author of Answers through the Bramble Ndubuisi Martins and political scientist Richard Runyararo Mahomva, among others.
One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star which marks books of exceptional merit wrote a glowing review of the anthology.
Part of the review read: “The poems Chikumbu has chosen are intoxicating both in the beauty of their language and the depth of their analysis, and they sweep readers into the dazzling and wounded landscape of Africa’s past and present.”
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Speaking to Standard Style Chikumbu said: “A Kirkus starred review is a huge affirmation to the book and the power of the poetry in the anthology”.
Books that earn a starred review are automatically eligible for the annual Kirkus cash prize, one of the richest literary awards in the United States.
Old Love Skin blurs the lines between the individual and collective voice in ways that are ironic, sad, humorous, light-hearted, pessimistic, and compassionate.
Here poets subvert language, images and form to make them tell their stories, as well as being reflective of their past, present and future. Here poets remind us that human emotion(s) can be and are beautiful, the journey of self-discovery is as painful as it is cathartic’.
Nzube Nlebedim, founding editor of The Shallow Tales Review says of the book: “The poems here are fresh and biting, untethered and unrestrained, deviant”.
“A gathering around the fireplace of poets from across the continent, each voice is a vital portal to diverse realities unique to individual cultures they speak from”, said Christopher Mlalazi, co-winner of the 2008 Novib-PEN Freedom of Expression Award at The Hague.
“These stunning poems rise up from poets all over Africa. They are free verse, sonnets, and spoken word. They are joyful and broken at the same time,” added Joseph Ross, poet and author of Raising King and Ache.
Emmanuel Sigauke, founding editor of Munyori Journal and board member of Zimbabwe Poetry Society in his review wrote: “This anthology of poetry represents interesting new directions in African poetry, presenting diverse voices from fifty-two poets”.
Onai Mushava, journalist with This Is Africa also endorsed the book saying: “Old Love Skin finds new African poets summoning divinity where they please, and turning out the fateful stamp of history and global commons into a ceremony of ambivalence, impiety and intrigue.”
