Nommo Awards
African literary award
The Nommo Awards
Awarded forBest speculative fiction work by Africans
Presented byThe African Speculative Fiction Society
First awarded2017
Websitewww.africansfs.com

The Nommo Awards are literary awards presented by The African Speculative Fiction Society. The awards recognize works of speculative fiction by Africans, defined as "science fiction, fantasy, stories of magic and traditional belief, alternative histories, horror and strange stuff that might not fit in anywhere else."[1]

The Nommo Awards have four categories: Best Novel, Novella, Short Story, and Graphic Novel. They are named after the Nommo, ancestral spirits from Dogon cosmology who take a variety of forms, including appearing on land as fish, walking on their tails.

The African Speculative Fiction Society

The African Speculative Fiction Society Logo designed by Stephen Embleton August 2016

The African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) promotes science fiction and fantasy by Africans. Its members include writers, editors, artists and publishers. Established August 15, 2016 with 58 charter members, the ASFS and its Nommo Awards is a body for African science fiction/fantasy professionals.[2][3]

Members nominate and vote on the Nommo Awards for African Speculative Fiction.[4]

“The ASFS will provide a place where writers, readers, and scholars can come together to find information, connect with each other, and act as watchdogs for their collective interests.” Chinelo Onwualu, co-founder of Omenana[5]

The 2016 charter members

The African Speculative Fiction Society 58 original charter members of 2016.[6][7]

  1. A. Igoni Barrett
  2. Afolabi Muheez Ashiru
  3. Amatesiro Dore
  4. Andrew C. Dakalira
  5. Ayodele Arigbabu
  6. Biram Mboob
  7. Catherine Shepherd
  8. Cat Corona Hellisen
  9. Chad Rossouw
  10. Mazi Chigozie Nwonwu
  11. Chikodili Emelumadu
  12. Chinelo Onwualu
  13. Clifton Cachuaga
  14. Dave de Burgh
  15. Dayo Ntwari
  16. Denise Kavuma
  17. Diane Awerbuck
  18. Dilman Dila
  19. Ekari Mbvundula
  20. Ellah Wakatama Allfrey
  21. Ezeiyoke Chukwunonso
  22. IfeOluwa Nihinlola
  23. Ivor Hartmann
  24. Jason Mykl Snyman
  25. Jekwu Ozoemene
  26. Joan de la Haye
  27. Joe Machina
  28. John Barigye
  29. Hannah Onoguwe
  30. Kiprop Kumutai
  31. Lauren Beukes
  32. Mame Diene
  33. Mandisi Nkomo
  34. Margaret Hegottir
  35. Masimba Musodza
  36. Mehul Gohil
  37. Mia Aderne
  38. Moses Kilolo
  39. Muthi Nhlema
  40. Nerine Dorman
  41. Nick Wood
  42. Nikhil Singh
  43. Ntone Edjabe
  44. Oshoke Irene
  45. Pemi Aguda
  46. Rafee Aliyu
  47. Ray Mwihaki
  48. Richard Oduor Oduku
  49. Samuel Kolawole
  50. Shadreck Chikoti
  51. Sofia Samatar
  52. Sophie Alal
  53. Stephen Embleton
  54. Suyi Davies Okungbowa
  55. Tade Thompson
  56. Terh Agbedeh
  57. Tiseki Tich Chilima
  58. Wole Talabi

Logo design

Nommo icon designed by Stephen Embleton 2016

The Nommo Awards logo and ASFS logos were designed in 2016 by Stephen Embleton.[8] The logo is an image of the Nommo in Dogon cosmology, twins who on land can take the form of fish walking on their tails.[9]

"The Nommo are mythological ancestral spirits (sometimes referred to as deities) worshipped by the Dogon people of Mali. The word Nommos is derived from a Dogon word meaning "to make one drink." The Nommos are usually described as amphibious, hermaphroditic, fish-like creatures. Folk art depictions of the Nommos show creatures with humanoid upper torsos, legs/feet, and a fish-like lower torso and tail. The Nommos are also referred to as “Masters of the Water”, “the Monitors”, and "the Teachers”. Nommo can be a proper name of an individual, or can refer to the group of spirits as a whole. For purposes of this article “Nommo” refers to a specific individual and “Nommos” is used to reference the group of beings."

Winners and short list nominees

Novel

The Novel Award is also known as The Ilube Nommo Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel by an African. It is named for and sponsored by Tom Ilube.[10]

YearAuthorNovelPublisherRef.
2017Tade Thompson*RosewaterOrbit[11]
A. Igoni BarrettBlackassGraywolf Press[11]
Shadreck ChikotiAzotus, The KingdomPan African Publishers[11]
Nikhil SinghTaty Went WestRosarium Publishing[11]
Nick WoodAzanian BridgesNewCon Press[11]
2018Tochi Onyebuchi*Beasts Made of NightPenguin Young Readers Group[12]
Gavin ChaitOur Memory Like DustDoubleday[12]
Deon MeyerFeverGrove/Atlantic, Inc.[12]
Nnedi OkoraforAkata WarriorPenguin Young Readers Group[12]
Deji Bryce OlokotunAfter the FlareThe Unnamed Press[12]
Masha du ToitThe RealCreateSpace Publishing[12]
2019Akwaeke Emezi*FreshwaterGrove Press[13]
Tomi AdeyemiChildren of Blood and BoneHenry Holt and Co[13]
Nechama BrodieKnucklebonePan Macmillan[13]
Imraan CoovadiaA Spy in TimeRare Bird Books[13]
Cat HellisenEmpty MonstersAmazon[13]
Masha du ToitThe StrangeIndependently Published[13]
2020Suyi Davies Okungbowa*David Mogo, GodhunterAbaddon[14][15]
Nerine DormanSing Down the StarsTafelberg[14]
Masande NtshangaTriangulumPenguin Random House South Africa & Two Dollar Radio[14]
Tochi OnyebuchiWar GirlsRazorbill[14]
Namwali SerpellThe Old DriftHogarth[14]
Tade ThompsonThe Rosewater InsurrectionOrbit[14]
2021Akwaeke Emezi*The Death of Vivek OjiRiverhead[16] [17]
Stephen EmbletonSoul SearchingGuardbridge[16]
Nikhil SinghClub DedLuna[16]
2022T.L. Huchu*The Library of the DeadTor[18] [19]
T. J. BensonThe MadhousePenguin South Africa[18]
Namina FornaThe Gilded OnesDelacorte/Usborne[18]
Suyi Davies OkungbowaSon of the StormOrbit US/Orbit UK[18]
Cheryl S. NtumyThey Made Us Blood and FurySelf Published[18]
Tade ThompsonFar from the Light of HeavenOrbit US/Orbit UK[18]
2024[a]Wole Talabi*Shigidi and the Brass Head of ObalufonDAW[20] [21]
Stephen EmbletonBones and RunesAbibiman Publishing[20]
Chikodili EmelumaduDazzlingWildfire[20]
Suyi Davies OkungbowaWarrior of the WindOrbit[20]
Ukamaka OlisakweDon't Answer When They Call Your NameGriots Lounge[20]
Eloghosa OsundeVagabonds!Riverhead[20]

Novella

YearAuthor(s)NovellaPublisherRef.
2017Nnedi Okorafor*BintiTor.com Publishing[11]
Mame Bougouma DieneHell Freezes OverStoryTime[11]
Dilman DilaThe Flying Man of StoneStoryTime[11]
Muthi NhlemaTa O'RevaFreeeditorial.com[11]
Tade Thompson & Nick WoodThe Last PantheonStoryTime[11]
2018Tade Thompson*The Murders of Molly SouthbourneTor.com Publishing[12]
Sofia SamatarFallowSmall Beer Press[12]
Nnedi OkoraforBinti: HomeTor.com Publishing[12]
2019Nerine Dorman*The FirebirdAmazon[13]
Caldon MullNeid-FireAmazon[13]
Nnedi OkoraforBinti: The Night MasqueradeTor.com Publishing[13]
Sofia SamatarHard MaryLightspeed[13]
2020Wole Talabi*Incompleteness TheoriesIncomplete Solutions[14][15]
Kerstin HallThe Border KeeperTor.com Publishing[14]
Caldon MullWeathermanSelf-Published[14]
2021Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki*Ife-Iyoku: The Tale of ImadeyunuagbonDominion[16] [17]
David A. AttaGuardians: The AwakeningMakere[16]
Dilman DilaA Fledgling AbibaGuardbridge[16]
Tochi OnyebuchiRiot BabyTordotcom[16]
Tlotlo TsamaaseThe Silence of the Wilting SkinPink Narcissus[16]
2022Nnedi Okorafor*Remote ControlTordotcom[18] [19]
Dilman DilaThe Future God of LoveLuna[18]
Kola Heyward-RotimiAn Exploration of Nicole Otieno’s Early Filmography (1232-1246)Strange Horizons (9/13/21)[18]
Erhu KomeNot Seeing is a FlowerEraserhead[18]
Nuzo OnohThe AbominationF&SF9 (10/21)[18]
2024[a]Stephen Embleton*Undulation[20] [21]
Eugen BaconBroken ParadiseLuna Press[20]
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki & Joshua Uchenna OmengaLand of the Awaiting Birth[20]
Moses Ose UtomiThe Lies of the AjungoTordotcom[20]

Short Story

YearAuthorShort StoryPublicationRef.
2017Lesley Nneka Arimah*"Who Will Greet You At Home"[11]
Tendai Huchu*"The Marriage Plot"[11]
Innocent Immaculate Acan"Sundown"[11]
Blaize Kaye"Ndakusuwa"[11]
Wole Talabi"Wednesday's Story"[11]
2018Wole Talabi*"The Regression Test"[12]
Nerine Dorman"On the Other Side of the Sea"[12]
Sibongile Fisher"A Door Ajar"[12]
Chinelo Onwualu"Read Before Use"[12]
Henrietta Rose-Innes"Snake Story"[12]
2019Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki*"The Witching Hour"Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Stones[13]
Tiah Marie Beautement"Momento Mori"Omenana Magazine[13]
Tendai Huchu"Njuzu"AfroSFV3[13]
Blaize Kaye"Brand New Ways (to lose you over and over again)"Omenana[13]
Derek Lubangakene"Origami Angels"Omenana[13]
Biram Mboob"The Luminal Frontier"AfroSFV3[13]
Cristy Zinn"The Girl Who Stared at Mars"AfroSFV3[13]
2020Chikodili Emelumadu*"Sin Eater"Omenana Magazine[14][15]
Ada Nnadi*"Tiny Bravery"Omenana[14][15]
Ivana Akotowaa Ofori"Principles of Balance"Jalada[14]
Suyi Davies Okungbowa"The Haunting of 13 Olúwo Street"Fireside[14]
Deji Bryce Olukotun"Between the Dark and the Dark"Lightspeed[14]
Wole Talabi"When We Dream We Are Our God"Apex[14]
2021Innocent Chizaram Ilo*"Rat and Finch Are Friends"Strange Horizons (3/2/20)[16] [17]
Tlotlo Tsamaase*"Behind Our Irises"Africanfuturism: An Anthology[16] [17]
Tiah Marie Beautement"The Bend of Water"Omenana (8/30/20)[16]
Tendai Huchu"Corialis"Fiyah (Autumn '19)[16]
Tobi Ogundiran"The Goatkeeper’s Harvest"The Dark (9/20)[16]
2022'Pemi Aguda*"Masquerade Season"Tor.com (3/24/21)[18] [19]
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpek"O2 Arena"Galaxy's Edge (11/21)[18]
Mbozie Haimbre"Shelter"Disruption[18]
Shingai Njeri Kagunda"And This Is How to Stay Alive"Fantasy (11/20)[18]
Tobi Ogundiran"The Many Lives of an Abiku"Beneath Ceaseless Skies (7/30/20)[18]
Makena Onjerika"The Brother"Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology to the Most (Fictional) Haunted Buildings in the Weird, Wild World[18]
Wole Talabi"An Arc of Electric Skin"Asimov's (9-10/21)[18]
Tlotlo Tsamaase"Dreamports"Apex (12/21)[18]
2024‘Gabrielle Emem Harry*"A Name is a Plea and a Prophecy"Strange Horizons, 2023[20] [21]
Moustapha Mbacké Diop"Blackwater Children"Haven Speculative Fiction, 2022[20]
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki"Destiny Delayed"Asimov's Science Fiction, 2022[20]
Victor Forna"Kɛrozin Lamp Kurfi"Apex Magazine, 2023[20]
Somoto Iheuze"Like Stars Daring to Shine"Fireside Fiction 2022 and Escape Pod 2023[20]
Solomon Uhiara"Loom"Dark Matter Magazine, 2022[20]
Naomi Eselojor"My Mother's Love"Hexagon, 2022[20]
Chinaza Eziaghighala"Osimiri"British Science Fiction Association’s Fission 2 Vol 1 Anthology.[20]
Cheryl S. Ntumy"The Way of Baa'gh"Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology, Android Press, 2023[20]

Graphic Novel

YearArtist(s) & Author(s)Graphic NovelPublisherRef.
2017Chronic No. 3 Various writers & artists*The Corpse Exhibition[11]
Ibrahim Ganiyu, Chike Newman Nwankwo & Akinwade Ayodeji AkinolaJune 12[11]
Xavier Ighorodje & Stanley ObendeAvonome[11]
Jide Martin & Toheeb Deen IpayeMight of Guardian Prime[11]
2018Kwabena Ofei & Setor Fiadzigbey*Lake of Tears[12]
Wale Awelenje & Jide MartinGuardian Prime GenesisThe Comic Republic[12]
Michael Balogun & Adeleye YusufIreti BidemiThe Comic Republic[12]
Tobe Ezeogu & Keith IssacHero KakereThe Comic Republic[12]
Tobe Ezeogu & Ozo EzeoguEruThe Comic Republic[12]
Robert S. Malan & John CockshawQuest of the Sign of the Shining Beast[12]
2019Nnedi Okorafor & Leonardo Romero*ShuriMarvel Comics[13]
Marguerite Abouet, Mathieu Sapin, Judith Taboy, & Marie BédruneAkissi: Tales of MichiefFlying Eye Books[13]
Farida Bedwei & Ravi AlloteyKarmzahAfrocomix App, Leti Arts[13]
Tobe Max Ezeogu & Ozo EzeoguEruThe Comic Republic[13]
Cassandra Mark & Tobe Max EzeoguTàtàshéThe Comic Republic[13]
Loyiso Mkize, Mohale Mashigo, & Clyde BeechKweziNew Africa Books[13]
Luke MolverShaka RisingStoryPress Africa[13]
Nnedi Okorafor, André Araújo, Mario Del Pennino, Tana Ford, & Aaron CovingtonBlack Panther: Long Live the KingMarvel Comics[13]
Roye Okupe & Chima KaluMalika Warrior Queen Part TwoYouNeek Studios[13]
Austine Osas, Abiodun Awodele, & Yusuf TemitopeUnder the SunPedacomics Ltd[13]
Yvonne Wanyoike, Kendi Mberia, & Salim BusuruRovikVibondu Comics, Avandu[13]
2020Morakinyo Araoye, Steven Akinyemi, & Ogim Ekpezu*DanfoTAG Comics[14][15]
Ssentongo CharlesSanuElupe Comics[14]
Beserat Debebe & Stanley ObendeHawiEtan Comics[14]
Mika HirwaKamiMira Hirwa[14]
Kiprop Kimutai & Salim BusuruBeast from VenusAvandu Vosi[14]
Bill MasukuCaptain South AfricaEnigma Comix[14]
Bill MasukuWelcome to the Dead WorldSam Graphico Anthology[14]
Ziki Nelson & Jason LamyNaniKugali Comics[14]
2021Nana Akosua Hanson & AnimaxFYB*MoonGirlsDrama Queens[16] [17]
Murewa Ayodele & Dotun AkandeNew MenAction Lab – Danger Zone[16]
Mazuba ChimbezaTitanBlack Hut[16]
Qintu CollabMeanwhile…MaThoko’s[16]
Anna Mbale & Mwiche SongoloAlexBlack Hut[16]
Mwiche SongoloBlack SheepBlack Hut[16]
2022Roye Okupe & Godwin Akpan*Iyanu: Child of Wonder, Volume 2Dark Horse[18] [19]
Awele EmiliThe IjournalAweleEmili.com[18][16]
2024Mamode Ogbewele and Chigozie Amadi*Grimm's AssistantMode Comics, 2023[20] [21]
Daniël HugoDie StrandloperDream Press & Daniël Hugo, 2022[20]
Roye Okupe and Sunkanmi AkinboyeWindMaker volume 1Dark Horse Comics, 2022[20]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Because no awards were presented in 2023, works published in 2022 and 2023 are both eligible for the 2024 award

References

  1. ^ "Announcing the 2019 Nommo Awards Winners". 25 October 2019.
  2. ^ "bookshy: Four and a Half Years Later: Science Fiction and Fantasy in African Literature". bookshy. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  3. ^ "Inaugural Nommo Awards". Locus Online. 2016-08-25. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  4. ^ "The African Speculative Fiction Society Announces the Nommo Awards". Tor.com. 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  5. ^ "The African Speculative Fiction Society Announces the Nommo Awards". Tor.com. 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  6. ^ "Press Pack". www.africansfs.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  7. ^ "Google Drive: Sign-in". accounts.google.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  8. ^ "The African Speculative Fiction Society is here!". Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  9. ^ "Google Drive: Sign-in". accounts.google.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  10. ^ "Glasgow 2024 Programme Guide". www.guide.glasgow2024.org. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Announcing the 2017 Nommo Award Winners". 16 November 2017.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Tade Thompson, Tochi Onyebuchi, and More Amongst the Winners of the 2018 NOMMO Awards". 26 October 2018.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "Announcing the 2019 Nommo Award Winners". 25 October 2019.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "2020 Nommo Awards Shortlist". 15 May 2020.
  15. ^ a b c d e "2020 Nommo Awards Winners". 26 October 2020.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "2021 Nommo Awards Shortlist". June 2021.
  17. ^ a b c d e "2021 Nommo Awards Winners". 17 December 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "2022 Nommo Awards Shortlist". 17 May 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d "2022 Nommo Award Winners".
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "2024 Nommo Awards Shortlist". Locus. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d "2024 Nommo Awards Winners". 10 August 2024.


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