Speculative fiction from the African continent and the diaspora
All the short stories here deal with topics about the future of technology and how it intersects with the issues facing people living either on the African continent or as part of the global diaspora.
Quick links
Filter the stories
Short stories
A mix of speculative fiction stories written by African writers from around the world.
-
A Dream of Electric Mothers
‘Baba Yemi holds up his finger and flicks it once like it is a lever. “One final thing. Don’t worry too much about the details of your consultation. All of you will receive the same answers regardless of how you ask the question, as long as it is indeed the same question. In fact, we…
-
A Lever is a Complex Machine
AI & Robotics Alternative ways of knowing Colonialism Culture & Society Environment & Climate Ethics & Governance Future of work Healthcare“Being offline from Orisis, my artificial intelligence mother governing Pinaa, the inhabited moon of Mahwé, means I am unable to find a solution or explanation for this scenario. I cycle through microseconds of data, yet even with a world of knowledge built into my system, along with a billion iterations of an action, I cannot…
-
A Little History of Things Lost & Found
Alternative ways of knowing Cities Colonialism Culture & Society Environment & Climate Ethics & Governance‘The whispers picked up, then receded, a cascade in the air. You already forgot us. Like every other human. Cut us down, betrayed us, forgot us. Leave what is ours and go. “Peace,” Muta pleaded. “I have not forgotten you.”’
-
A Shadow in the Sun
Colonialism Culture & Society Environment & Climate Ethics & Governance Future of work Natural sciences“Here we are. Six magnificent black rhinos, muscles rippling under thick, wrinkled hides – the first to tread this earth in more than a decade since the last beast died alone in a miserable British zoo. Granted, they’re all young still – mere babies, according to Theuns Theunissen, director of Houmoed Private Game Reserve. Dear…
-
Afrinewsia
Cities Colonialism Culture & Society Environment & Climate Ethics & Governance Future of work Healthcare‘“Trees dey talk o,” she would say. “Dem dey talk about bad-bad things wey go happen for future.”’
-
Ancestor’s Gift
“When he returned from his travels, he brought a contingent of scientists and engineers who built the tower and several other structures. But, after a year of serious work, they packed up and left.”
-
Bat Monkey
Alternative ways of knowing Colonialism Culture & Society Environment & Climate Ethics & Governance Natural sciences“‘I don’t want you to fail. But…’ Kahindo pointed back in the direction of the huts where Priti would no doubt be drinking with Chase. ‘They know nothing about our people.’ He looked down at the floor and for a while neither of us spoke, then he said, ‘There are no flying monkeys.’ I glared…
-
Blackwater Children
‘Humans had managed to build a community up here, where no life was thought to be possible. It had been thirteen years since the Call, thirteen years since the oceans had swelled and a thousand species had ballooned overnight to titanic proportions, replacing humankind as the apex predator of the world.’
-
Brand New Ways (to lose you over and over and over again)
‘“Of course, in order to democratize ECP, we’ve had to make certain concessions,” he said. “It’s like the difference between flying Business and Economy. Sure, those up front have a little more legroom, but we’re all still getting to the same place.”’
-
Challenges to Becoming a Pro Dragonracer in Apapa-Downtown
“Dragons’ growth rates are mad slow. You hatch the egg and think you can go pro after a few successful hunts? Wrong. Remember our cash friends? Money drives growth, don’t get carried away.”
Guides for group readings and other workshops
-
Practical applications of speculative fiction: an introduction
This session aims to introduce people to practically using speculative fiction. Whether used for improving research questions, inspiring activism/advocacy or serving as a teaching tool, there are many aspects of STEM where speculative fiction can be applied. However, it is still often needed to give people more familiarity with both the fiction and how it…
-
Critiquing policy documents using African Speculative Fiction
This method is designed to help communities of people critique and update STEM policy. It is useful for a group of mixed abilities and experiences i.e. not only for people with professional policy-making experience Time required: recommended minimum time of 2 hours
How to contribute to the toolkit
Do you have an archive to share? Are you a writer who would like to feature your story? A facilitator with experience using speculative fiction in design activities? All are welcome to be added to the toolkit, just get in touch.
Got any feedback?
If you have ideas for how we can improve the toolkit, please send them in through the which you can find at the link below:
Find out about future events
Check out our upcoming events from workshops to meetups.