🎙️ 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.

🔗 Tune In & Join the Conversation:

• Watch on YouTube: Here
• Support us on Patreon: Here

💬 Engage With Us:

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.

Follow us on Instagram: @adeche.atelier

Stay updated and thank you for exploring this wonderful world of African Mythology with us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.