MEMOIR (GHANA & UK)
A Visible Man by Edward Enninful, 2022
R355 from The Book Lounge
British Vogue has, since 2017, become the most relevant fashion magazine, and this is thanks to Ghanaian-born editor Edward Enninful and his commitment to inclusivity. The son of a dressmaker and an army major forced to flee to London in the early 1980s, Enninful’s rise from refugee to king of the fashion world is extraordinary. Expect pop-culture history and star-studded cast members – he was stylist for Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana, and is best friends with Naomi, Kate, Alexander McQueen and DVF – but also great vulnerability. It is this sharing of his periods of great difficulty that elevates his memoir to “unforgettable”. GB
READING/CRITICISM (DIASPORA)
This is the Canon: Decolonize Your Bookshelf by Joan Anim-Addo, Deirdre Osborne and Kadija Sesay, 2021
R420 from Clarke’s Bookshop
Looking to extend the range of your reading in 2023? This great guide to decolonising your shelves highlights 50 iconic books by writers of (mainly) African descent that everyone should experience – but were probably not on your high school reading list. Each entry includes a synopsis of the novel, a brief history of its reception, a pithy bio of its author, and possibly best of all, suggestions of what else to read if you enjoy the book in question. RA
ETHNOGRAPHY (AFRICA-WIDE)
African Ceremonies by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher,1999
R2500 from Clarke’s Bookshop
Published over 20 years ago and photographed by Carol Beckwith, an American, and Angela Fisher, an Australian, this is a sumptuous two-volume record of traditional rituals in 26 African countries. From Eritrea to Namibia, from Morocco to Swaziland, we get a glimpse of rites surrounding the great transitions of life: birth and death, initiation to adulthood, courtship and marriage. The photographers’ aim is to capture ceremonies before they disappear but one might also consider that with over 50% of Africa’s population now living in cities, departures from tradition are inevitable and not always to be lamented. Many ceremonies not shown here, are revamped and more alive than ever. GB