#african writing

[trolledu]

[iambrillyant]

“divine timing tastes sweeter than forcing something you’re not ready for into existence.”

— iambrillyant

[milhous3]

The Giver of Nicknames by Rwandan-born Namibian writer, Rémy Ngamije.

Shortlisted for the 2021 AKO Caine Prize for African writing

"From the first moment I crossed the finish line in first place I felt Blanco’s hate on my heels in second place. Thus far, he’d been the fastest third-grader around. After me, he was another obsolete white boy. I didn’t fully understand what I’d snatched away from Blanco until it was taken away from me by Darko."

[dinoserious]

invertober day 24, african monarch

[pigdemonart]

I think its really cute that Manuel gets the most love from comments! I think he deserves it, because even I have dubbed him as the Best Boy. But, Mani has mixed feelings about receiving praise and being considered the favorite. He’d sooner think people are lying to him than believe they actually like him that much. Because, why would they?

His view of himself comes from years of being stuck in the middle.

[uncanny-tranny]

I love giving advice, apparently, so if you are a newly pierced person or are planning on being pierced, here are some of the things I found helpful, as somebody who isn't a professional piercer but has had six plus piercings on my face and body, and multiple ear piercings (which I don't count, since I DIY'd them):

Normal bath towels are your enemy, proceed with caution after bathing. NEVER wipe moisture away from a fresh piercing, always pat it dry

You will hit a new piercing and it will hurt. This is inevitable, just know that you likely haven't destroyed it. Feel free to cry, though, it hurts like hell.

If your piercer gives you instructions, heed them. If you're on restrictions, please take it as seriously as possible

When you're going in for a piercing, please eat or drink something - at least what constitutes as a snack for your body. It really helps

If you're getting an oral piercing, make sure you size down after the healing period - I hadn't sized down for my last oral piercing when I first had the chance, and it was... so annoying to have too-large of jewelry

Not all jewelry is made equally. Do your research on materials, threading, and sizing. I've found that titanium jewelry is really nice for me, and I like it, but that isn't the only option. Make sure you think about your body and its needs and preferences

Close your eyes while being pierced (I found this really helps me)

Don't over-clean a new piercing, twice per day is usually a good place to start

The completed healing period is a very average suggestion - you may heal slower or faster. Try to adhere to that suggestion, though, especially if you do not feel you're healed enough

Personally, I have found that I am completely healed when my piercing feels like just another part of my body, even when it is touched. When my piercings start to feel as though they are foreign when they never do before, I know I likely need to clean them

While I have DIY'd piercings, I personally do not recommend it, especially if you are either not using sterilized equipment, or are piercing a very dangerous place (like the tongue). If you are absolutely positive about committing to the DIY mindset, please try to do due diligence in research at least

Tip your piercer. Body mods are a luxury service, and it takes years to even become a piercer, much less to be proficient at it. Tip your piercer, ESPECIALLY if their prices feel too good to be true - they likely are. Unless you are directed otherwise by your piercer, just assume that you will be tipping them for their services and budget accordingly

Make sure you understand how your piercer wants you to take care of your piercing, and ask questions. There is no question too "dumb"

If you are getting a body part pierced you are insecure about, realize your piercer has most likely seen HUNDREDS of different body parts of various sizes, shapes, and oddities. Your body is not uniquely bad, nor would a good piercer make you feel unwelcome or uncomfortable with your body. If they do, however, DO NOT go through with the piercing. You should feel safe being pierced by somebody, and, indeed, that is the bare minimum.

If you use saline wash to clean piercings, you can DIY it. You will go through NeilMed like no other, and with it being $5USD a bottle, that price can rack up quickly. Make sure you use distilled water and non-iodized salt, though

If your piercing is infected, please don't be too ashamed to seek help. It's in your best interest to make sure you don't get ill or your site gets nasty ("nasty" as in painful)

These are just some of the things I've learned being a pierced person! My piercings are something I absolutely needed, and I do not for a minute regret having them. I want that same happiness to befall you, and that happens when you are able to understand a bit more what goes into piercings. You are, essentially, getting a new body part installed by a pro, and so I don't want you to not be ready for that.

Again, I am not a professional piercer, but am rather a body piercing enthusiast with many different types of piercings. I don't have every piercing, though, so please look at this critically for the piercing(s) that you want or have. At least, treat this like a soft suggestion or ways to help you brainstorm what you will find helpful.

More tips are obviously welcomed, especially if you yourself have more insight or expertise. Good luck to every pierced person or future pierced person reading this💛

[blogforfauna]

Crocuta crocuta

Although they have some dog-like traits, hyenas are only very distantly related to canines. They’re more closely related to cats. Their closest relatives, though, are actually mongooses (mongeese?) and civets.

Also known as laughing hyenas, spotted hyenas are the largest of four hyena species, weighing up to 140 pounds (63.5 kg)

Hyenas have a bad reputation. Although hyenas in some areas do kill livestock, this infamy is mostly due to myths and legends about them. They are believed to be “grave robbers,” or prone to digging bodies out of graves, as well as being stupid and cowardly. Spotted hyenas are even seen as demonic do to their wild laughing vocalization. The Lion King definitely didn’t help their case either, with spotted hyenas playing the role of dumb antagonists.

Another myth about hyenas is that they are hermaphrodites, meaning the species does not have distinct males and females. They do, but it’s almost impossible to tell them apart since both sexes have male genitalia. The females, which are more dominant than males, likely have male genitals due to high levels of testosterone.

Hyenas are extremely social animals, forming close bonds and living in clans that can reach huge sizes, some with over 100 individuals. They are considered to be some of the most socially complex animals in the world and are highly cooperative with other hyenas, scoring higher than primates on tests that involve working with others.

This cooperative behavior is how they hunt (or steal). Large animals like wildebeest, zebra, antelope, and impala are targeted by groups of hyenas. Hyenas also get food by using large groups to steal prey from other predatory animals like lions, leopards, and African wild dogs. Every part of these stolen carcasses can be eaten, including the bones. This is thanks to extremely powerful jaws that give the hyena a bite force of 1100 PSI (almost as much as a grizzly bear).

Hyenas also make some of the best parents in the animal kingdom. They have up to four cubs per litter, all of which are all born jet black, and they care for them for over a year. The mother also plays with them for hours at a time. They sometimes have to leave their cubs for long periods of time in order to hunt, but their extremely rich milk sustains the cubs through this time. Hyena milk is higher in protein and fat content than any other terrestrial carnivore.

I rate the spotted hyena 26/10 I love them so much I don’t even know what to say

Photo credits:

(1) Will Burrard-Lucas (2) Unknown (3) Kristian Sekulic (4) Carole Deschuymere (5) Keith Connelly

[miguelswifey04]

can you do an african american reader w/ miguel? specifically a cultural one :))

love ur work btw!!!

YES OF COURSE!! though this will be from my perspective since i am both african american and mexican so i hope you still enjoy this <3

miguel o’hara x african american! reader

pure fluff; meeting your dad’s side of the family

miguel has always been culturally inclined to learn more about you and your culture since he found it appropriate to get to know every single aspect of you. yes, you were pretty and intelligent but he felt that if he could get to know your cultural background, you both could feel more interconnected. miguel always made sure to make you feel extra loved and did quite literally everything for you without you having to lift a finger. you pretty much got that princess treatment going on for yourself and you couldn’t be more thankful to the universe.

he’d compliment the way you curls fell on your face to the amazing smell of coconut oil that you’d put on your scalp to keep your kinky hair healthy. he admires every little thing about you. you’re perfect under his eyes, and he will always make it known. your connection is with miguel is a pure and sacred one. you’ve never felt more loved than by a man like miguel.

as you introduce miguel, your boyfriend, to your dad's side of the family at the cookout, the warm embrace of loved ones and the joyful chatter of conversation fills the air. the scent of grilled food and the vibrant colors of the gathering create a lively atmosphere.

miguel takes in the scene, observing the vibrant energy that fills the space. he feels a mixture of excitement and nervousness, wanting to make a good impression and show his genuine interest in your family and cultural background.

as you lead miguel through the gathering, you introduce him to each family member, highlighting the unique and diverse personalities that make up your dad's side of the family. miguel greets everyone with a warm smile and extends a genuine hand of friendship, eager to connect with each individual.

the older generations welcome miguel with open arms, sharing stories of their own experiences and embracing him as if he were their own. they appreciate his respectful demeanor, his curiosity, and his genuine effort to understand and appreciate their culture and traditions.

the younger cousins and siblings become instantly intrigued by miguel’s presence. they swarm around him excitedly, asking questions and sharing their own interests. miguel’s natural charm and wit shine through as he engages with them, laughing and joking, fostering a bond that transcends age.

throughout the day, miguel becomes immersed in the lively conversations, taking part in the rhythm of laughter and storytelling. he savors each bite of the delicious traditional dishes served, eager to experience and appreciate the flavors that hold deep cultural significance to your family.

while miguel may initially have felt some apprehension, witnessing the love and warmth that radiates from your family reassures him. the love they shower upon you pours over onto him, welcoming him into their embrace without hesitation. he feels the bond of family strengthening between him and your loved ones.

as the sun begins to set and the joyful festivities wind down, miguel takes a moment to reflect on the significance of this day. he realizes the privilege of being welcomed into your family, the rich tapestry of culture and history that is now a part of his own story.

with a deep sense of gratitude, mage knows that his connection with your family is not just about the present but also about the future. the bond he forms with your dad's side of the family shapes the foundation of a love built on acceptance, celebration of diversity, and the joy of shared experiences.

tags 🏷️; @kairiscorner @sabcandoit @meeom @emiemiemiii

[dearlyjess]

starting a new journal (!!) on this lovely december morning, and dipping in and out of this gayl jones’s butter.

[qpp-townie]

I think part of what people struggle with when hearing a term like Queerplatonic Relationship is that it doesn’t fit into one of the boxes they already have set up for how the world works and so rather than make room for it, they try to shove it where it doesn’t belong or argue that it actually shouldn’t exist.

It is a term trying to convey information. It is not a trick or delusion or oversight on my part.

If I introduce you to someone and say ‘we are in a relationship’ most people (in the US at least) will default to thinking that means a romantic relationship which involved dating and now being a monogamous couple with sex, seeking marriage. Maybe not with that much detail, but that one word CAN carry a lot of implications that some would like to avoid from the start.

So i’d rather say ‘we are in a queer platonic relationship’ because that immediately tells you more information. It is a queer relationship and it is based on more platonic feelings (which doesn’t mean it is entirely platonic, but that’s an important part of it). It also tells you that these people have talked about their relationship and agree on this label, which should just NEVER be up for debate. If someone asks your opinion on a label that’s different, but same way you don’t get to decide who is queer or tell others what their feelings are, we are calling ourselves this for a reason.

But here’s the thing, saying that we are a QPR does not tell you the whole story! Same way saying you are dating, together with, married to, etc. someone, does not give you the full context of a relationship! Someone can say they are married, but later specify it is an asexual romantic relationship. Someone can say they dating and that can mean they are exclusive or seeking other partners. There are similar things qprs “typically” exhibit (but don’t have to), like closeness, living together, and no expectations of having to woo or romance the other person. But it is a broad term meant to encapsulate many types of relationships that fall outside the norm of building a nuclear family and amatonormative (romantic love is the most important kind of love) societal standards (which is not a universal standard for human relations, if there is a word in a different language/culture that fits better then that is of course okay!)

And I hope this can be a lesson about interacting with queer people/ people different from you in general, but rather than saying ‘that sounds like this thing/ that sounds fake/ I don’t want to call it that cause I’m used to this other thing/ i’m used to these boxes and just going to put you in one based on what you said’ just say:

‘cool! I’m not familiar with that, can you explain more?’ or even just ‘okay!’

[applepinsss]

Nalingi Yo ✿

Pairing: Miles Morales x Congolese Fem!Reader Genre: Fluff AN: This applies to both the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic. Enjoy!

I feel like this would obviously apply to any culture, but ever since the two of you have been dating, he's actively trying to learn all about your culture and where you're from.

If you speak French or Lingala, he would be very intrigued with whatever language you and your parents speak, asking you how you'd say certain phrases or things.

If he ever meets your parents (which would be longer into the relationship, bc meeting african parents means eventual marriage) both of your parents would like him, but your mother would love him like a son.

Like I can just picture the two of you in the kitchen trying to help your ma prepare pondu for a gathering/party.

speaking of which, I feel like he would fw african cuisine heavily, especially tangawizi.

he would definitely be down with having a traditional wedding later on in life, going with your parents' hopes.

I feel like at gatherings and parties he would fit in quite smoothly with the other cousins and family friends your age.

Like I can just picture you and your friends/cousins just sharing all types of news and random stories that happened since the last gathering y'all had and Miles is just sitting back and hearing all the community tea.

(guys this is my first peice of writing, and I'm still getting used to the format on here 💀 please be patient with me)

[gotstabbedbyapen]

Prompt of the day: Hermes, Loki, Sun Wukong, and Anansi are in a car, stuck in an hour-long traffic jam. They are all bored.

[iambrillyant]

“the art of being your own muse and recreating yourself as many times as you need, adding more layers and color to your spirits canvas until you like what you see.”

— iambrillyant

[nicollekidman]

all museums hold this tension but the smithsonian museums in particular feel so strained bc the tension between thoughtful, nuanced, and important exhibitions curated by brilliant people that highlight so many facets (often underdiscussed) of america’s history and people…. that still nonetheless all circle back to reinforcing and utilizing the framework of american exceptionalism and place as a “superpower”…… its really Something…..

[fowlblue]

Artemis Fowl Winged AU:

—————

For obvious reasons, the Fowls are Corvidae- intelligence, curiosity, strong family bonds… and a proclivity for extreme mischief.

Artemis Fowl II- Western Jackdaw:

An underappreciated little corvid with glossy black feathers and bright blue eyes, perfect for Artemis! I've already mentioned corvid intelligence, but let me note in particular they are incredible problem solvers... and sometimes a little silly.

Artemis Fowl I (Fowl Senior)- Common Raven:

Clever? Check! Iconic? Check! Believed to be unfortunate to come across? Unfortunately, check! And finally, appropriately scruffy? Check!

Angeline Fowl- Barn Owl:

Well, some member of the family deserved to be an owl, and Barn Owls have the perfect mix of elegance, beauty and intellect to suit Angeline- they’re also quite cute, and can be very silly (spoken from experience!)

Myles and Beckett Fowl- Stellars’ Jay and Blue Jay:

Look at these birds and tell me it’s not the twins. Jays are known for mischief-making, extreme intellect (despite often being underestimated) and colorful, loud personalities- perfect for them!

Domovoi Butler- Golden Eagle:

A classic! While I was originally thinking ‘owl’, eagles have a certain reputation of nobility and power- they’ve also historically been used in falconry. They are fierce, protective, and incredibly strong birds.

Juliet Butler- Black and Chestnut Eagle:

While I was this close to going with a Crested Caracara or some form of kite, Juliet deserves ‘eagle’ status alongside her brother. Further research led me to various ‘hawk-eagles’, smaller than their more famous cousins and built just a little bit different- this bird is colorful and quick and still quite powerful. Though, in all truth, I imagine Juliet would dye her feathers green no matter what wings she’d have.

Holly Short- Common Kestrel:

A small bird for a small fairy! While a kestrel is one of the smallest raptors, they are nonetheless incredibly fierce and capable of some pretty fancy flying, including the unique ability to ‘hover’ in midair!

Mulch- Burrowing Owl

I don’t think I really have to explain myself here, lol.

(now… onto the villains! Be warned for some blood ahead!)

Opal Koboi- Little Brown Bat

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Why not a vampire bat? She’s a villain!” And A. It feels too easy, and B. Vampire bats are highly social (which, granted, most bats are), and more importantly, known to take care of older or sick members of their swarm! That is too compassionate for Opal. So instead, I chose something known for being small, fairly ‘cute’, and, most importantly-

Absolutely full of rage.

Jon Spiro- Peregrine Falcon

A cosmopolitan bird, the peregrine falcon is a bird perfectly at home in the big city-in fact, peregrine falcons have been observed to fly faster and hunt more successfully when among the skyscrapered skyline! Primarily preying on other birds, the peregrine falcon is a serious threat, even if it's not particularly big or strong, and its urban lifestyle makes it well-suited to one Jon Spiro.

Britva- Giant Petrel

A relatively underrated villain in the series, but in my opinion the most grounded in reality and particularly intimidating. Given the Bay of Kola is his territory, a seabird felt appropriate, and these birds are big, bad, and brutal. A true scourge on other creatures, that's for sure.

Damon Kronski- Blood Pheasant

Finally, some Galliforme representation! These birds are relatively uncommon in the world of public knowledge, but very flashy- just look at it! The males are brightly-colored, but sharply-spurred, and can be quite fierce when disturbed.

Teddy Bleedham-Drye- Cape Vulture

I don't really think I need to elaborate here, lol.

[tvgals]

pro hero DYNAMITE !! who loves when you’re on your period. of course he doesn’t like when you’re in pain and are basically sobbing because it hurts so bad, but because you’re so clingy.

‘suki..c’mere’

‘katsuki.. wan’ cuddles..’

‘luv you ‘suki..’

katsuki only wants to cuddle you until your 7 day torture is over.

pro hero DYNAMITE !! loves his clingy girlfriend <33

NON BLK DO NOT INTERACT.