🎙️ Welcome back, Afro Mythos family! We’re Solomon and Adwoa, and today, we’re thrilled to introduce a special guest—Maria Motunrayo Adebisi, the author behind the extraordinary Koku Akanbi series! Follow her on socials @Maria.motunrayo.author
In this episode, we dive deep into Maria’s creative world, where African mythology and modern-day realities collide. Koku Akanbi: The Heart of Midnight and its sequel Koku Akanbi: The King of Lost Souls have captured the imagination of readers with their vibrant mix of ancient Orishas, gripping adventure, and deeply personal themes of dual identity and resilience.
✨ In This Episode:
Writing Between Two Worlds: How Maria brings the British-Nigerian experience to life in Koku’s journey, mirroring the challenges of balancing two identities in a world shaped by African spirituality and Western influence.
Representation That Matters: The choice to give Koku sickle cell anaemia, and why representing this condition in a fantasy setting helps break boundaries while inspiring empathy and understanding.
World-Building Masterclass: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how West African mythology, particularly the Orishas, inspired the creation of Juju Land, a magical realm where culture, history, and fantasy intersect.
🎧 Why Listen?
If you’ve ever wondered how African myths can shape modern fantasy or how characters with real-world challenges can become heroes, this episode is for you. We explore the importance of seeing ourselves in stories and the power of reclaiming African narratives in literature.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on Koku’s journey! What does representation in fantasy mean to you? How does African mythology shape your perspective? Leave a comment or send us a message, and let’s keep the conversation going.
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