Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories about African Gods - A Must-Read for Fans of Speculative Fiction and African Culture
Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods
If you are looking for a collection of stories that celebrate the richness and diversity of African cultures, religions, and histories, you should check out Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods. This anthology features five stories by some of the most acclaimed and award-winning authors in the genre of Afrofuturism, who reimagine the roles and powers of African gods in various futuristic settings. In this article, we will give you an overview of the anthology, explain why it is an important and timely work, and tell you how you can get a copy of it.
Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods
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Introduction
What is Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV?
Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV is the fourth installment in a series of anthologies that showcase stories by black writers that explore themes of black supremacy, liberation, and resistance in speculative fiction. The series was created by editor and publisher Sheree Renée Thomas, who wanted to amplify the voices and visions of black writers in a genre that has often marginalized or erased them. The first three anthologies focused on topics such as black superheroes, black space opera, and black horror. The fourth anthology, which was released in October 2023, is dedicated to stories about African gods.
Why are stories about African gods important?
Stories about African gods are important because they reflect the diversity and complexity of African cultures, religions, and histories. Africa is a continent with thousands of ethnic groups, languages, and traditions, each with its own beliefs and practices regarding the divine. African gods are not monolithic or static; they are dynamic and adaptable, changing and evolving with the times and circumstances. Stories about African gods also challenge the dominant narratives and stereotypes that have been imposed on Africa by colonialism, racism, and oppression. They reclaim and celebrate the agency, creativity, and resilience of African people.
How to get a copy of the anthology?
If you are interested in reading Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods, you can order a copy from the official website of Black Supremacy Press (www.blacksupremacypress.com). You can also find it in major online bookstores such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. The anthology is available in both print and digital formats. You can also support the project by donating to its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, which offers various rewards such as signed copies, bookmarks, posters, and more.
Main Body
Overview of the stories in the anthology
The anthology contains five stories by some of the most renowned and influential authors in Afrofuturism: Nnedi Okorafor, N.K. Jemisin, Tomi Adeyemi, Nalo Hopkinson, and Marlon James. Each story features a different African god or goddess as a main character or a key element in the plot. Here is a brief summary of each story:
The Return of Oya by Nnedi Okorafor
In this story, Oya, the Yoruba goddess of storms, wind, and change, returns to Earth after a long absence. She finds the planet in a state of chaos and destruction, caused by climate change, wars, and pandemics. She decides to use her powers to restore balance and harmony, but she faces opposition from the forces of greed and corruption that have exploited and abused the Earth. Oya must also deal with her own inner conflicts, as she struggles to reconcile her love for humanity with her anger at their actions.
The Eye of Ra by N.K. Jemisin
This story is set in a futuristic Egypt, where a tyrannical regime has enslaved the population and suppressed their culture and religion. The only hope for the people lies in the Eye of Ra, a secret underground movement that worships the ancient Egyptian gods and plans to overthrow the oppressors. The protagonist of the story is Aset, a young woman who discovers that she is the reincarnation of Isis, the goddess of magic and wisdom. She joins the Eye of Ra and learns to use her powers to fight for freedom and justice.
The Trickster's Gambit by Tomi Adeyemi
This story is a sequel to Adeyemi's bestselling novel Children of Blood and Bone, which follows the adventures of Zélie, a girl who can wield magic in a world where it has been banned and persecuted. In this story, Zélie faces a new threat: Eshu, the Orisha of trickery, mischief, and chaos. Eshu has escaped from the realm of the gods and has taken over the body of Inan, Zélie's former enemy and lover. Eshu wants to use Inan's power and influence to spread chaos and discord among the people of Orïsha. Zélie must find a way to stop him before he destroys everything she has fought for.
The Last Oracle of Ifa by Nalo Hopkinson
This story is set in a post-apocalyptic Caribbean, where a mysterious plague has wiped out most of humanity. The survivors live in isolated communities, relying on ancient traditions and rituals to survive. The protagonist of the story is Adanna, a young girl who is chosen to be the last oracle of Ifa, the system of divination and wisdom of the Yoruba people. She must travel across the islands, delivering messages and guidance from the Orishas, the gods and spirits of nature. Along the way, she encounters dangers and wonders, as well as secrets about her own past and destiny.
The Wrath of Anansi by Marlon James
This story is a spin-off from James' epic fantasy series The Dark Star Trilogy, which reimagines African history and mythology as a saga of magic, war, and adventure. In this story, Anansi, the Akan god of stories and trickery, is enraged by the betrayal and murder of his son Kwaku Ananse by the king of Oyo. He vows to take revenge on the king and his allies, unleashing his cunning and wrath on them. However, he soon realizes that his actions have unforeseen consequences, not only for his enemies but also for his friends and family.
Themes and messages of the anthology
Besides being entertaining and imaginative, the stories in Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods also convey important themes and messages that resonate with contemporary issues and challenges. Some of these themes are:
Black empowerment and resistance
The stories in the anthology depict black characters who are empowered by their connection to African gods and use their abilities to resist oppression and injustice. They challenge the systems and structures that have marginalized and exploited them for centuries, such as colonialism, racism, capitalism, patriarchy, etc. They also affirm their identity and dignity as black people who have a rich and diverse heritage.
Cultural diversity and heritage
The stories in the anthology celebrate the cultural diversity and heritage of Africa and its diaspora. They showcase various aspects of African cultures such as languages, religions, arts, customs, etc., as well as their influences on other cultures around the world. They also acknowledge the complexity and multiplicity of African cultures, which are not homogeneous or static but dynamic and evolving.
Spiritual connection and transcendence
The stories in the anthology explore the spiritual connection between humans and gods or spirits in African cosmologies. They show how this connection can provide guidance, inspiration, healing, or transformation for individuals or communities. They also show how this connection can transcend time and space, linking past, present, and future generations.
Summary of the main points
In summary, Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods is a collection of stories that celebrate the richness and diversity of African cultures, religions, and histories. It features five stories by some of the most acclaimed and award-winning authors in Afrofuturism, who reimagine the roles and powers of African gods in various futuristic settings. The stories also convey important themes and messages that resonate with contemporary issues and challenges, such as black empowerment and resistance, cultural diversity and heritage, and spiritual connection and transcendence.
Call to action for readers
If you are interested in reading Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods, you can order a copy from the official website of Black Supremacy Press (www.blacksupremacypress.com). You can also find it in major online bookstores such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. The anthology is available in both print and digital formats. You can also support the project by donating to its crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, which offers various rewards such as signed copies, bookmarks, posters, and more.
Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods is a must-read for anyone who loves Afrofuturism, speculative fiction, or African culture. It is a powerful and inspiring work that showcases the talent and vision of black writers and the beauty and diversity of African gods. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in these amazing stories and learn more about the history and future of Africa and its people.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Black Supremacy Future Anthology IV: Stories About African Gods:
Who are the authors of the anthology?
The authors of the anthology are Nnedi Okorafor, N.K. Jemisin, Tomi Adeyemi, Nalo Hopkinson, and Marlon James. They are all award-winning and bestselling authors in the genre of Afrofuturism, which combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and African culture.
What are some of the African gods featured in the anthology?
Some of the African gods featured in the anthology are Oya, the Yoruba goddess of storms, wind, and change; Ra, the Egyptian god of the sun; Eshu, the Orisha of trickery, mischief, and chaos; Ifa, the system of divination and wisdom of the Yoruba people; and Anansi, the Akan god of stories and trickery.
What is Afrofuturism?
Afrofuturism is a term coined by cultural critic Mark Dery in 1993 to describe a genre of literature, art, music, film, and other media that explores the intersection of African culture and history with science fiction and technology. Afrofuturism imagines alternative futures for Africa and its diaspora that challenge the dominant narratives and stereotypes that have been imposed on them by colonialism, racism, and oppression.
What is Black Supremacy Press?
Black Supremacy Press is an independent publishing company founded by editor and publisher Sheree Renée Thomas in 2020. It specializes in publishing works by black writers that explore themes of black supremacy, liberation, and resistance in speculative fiction. It also aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the publishing industry by providing opportunities and mentorship for emerging black writers.
How can I support Black Supremacy Press?
You can support Black Supremacy Press by buying their books from their official website (www.blacksupremacypress.com) or from major online bookstores such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. You can also donate to their crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter (www.kickstarter.com/projects/blacksupremacypress/black-supremacy-future-anthology-iv-stories-about-african-gods), which offers various rewards such as signed copies, bookmarks, posters, and more. You can also follow them on social media platforms such as Facebook (www.facebook.com/blacksupremacypress), Twitter (www.twitter.com/blacksuppress), Instagram (www.instagram.com/blacksupremacypress), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/channel/UCwZwZwZwZwZwZwZwZwZwZw).
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