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In 2014, the African Poetry Book Fund, in collaboration with Akashic Books began a vital project publishing chapbooks by contemporary, mostly unpublished African poets in a boxset. The poets Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani work as editors on the project. To date, that project has produced 9 boxsets, with a total of 92 poets published. The latest boxset, Kumi: New-Generation African Poets, A Chapbook Box Set is forthcoming this December, featuring the work of nine new African poets. The nine poets included in the boxset are: Nurain Ọládèjì, Sarpong Osei Asamoah, Claudia Owusu, Nome Emeka Patrick, Qhali, Connor Cogill, Feranmi Ariyo, Dare Tunmise, and Adams Adeosun. Pre-orders are available now here and are set to ship out on or before December 2024.
Here’s rundown of all 9 boxsets and the featured poets.
Eight New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set | 2015
The first in the series, this boxset features eight volumes of poetry chapbooks by Peter Akinlabi, Viola Allo, Inua Ellams, Janet Kofi-Tsekpo, Liyou Mesfin Libsekal, Amy Lukau, Vuyelwa Maluleke, and Blessing Musariri. and an introduction chapbook by Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani.
New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set (Tatu) | 2016
Featuring nine chapbooks: eight volumes of poetry, plus an introduction by editors Kwame Dawes and Chris Abani, the poets included are D.M. Aderibigbe, Gbenga Adesina, Kayombo Chingonyi, Safia Elhillo, Chielozona Eze, Nyachiro Lydia Kasese, Ngwatilo Mawiyoo, and Hope Wabuke.
New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set (Nne) | 2017
Named Nne, mother, in Igbo language. The boxset holds the works of ten poets: Yasmin Belkhyr, Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Chekwube O. Danladi, Mary-Alice Daniel, Lena Bezawork Grönlund, Ashley Makue, Momtaza Mehri, Famia Nkansa, Ejiofor Ugwu, and Chimwemwe Undi. Read more here.
New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set (Tano) | 2018
The eleven poets included in this box set are: Leila Chatti, Saddiq Dzukogi, Amanda Holiday, Omotara James, Yalie Kamara, Rasaq Malik, Umniya Najaer, Kechi Nomu, Romeo Oriogun, Henk Rossouw, and Alexis Teyie. Read more aboit the eleven poets featured in this boxset here.
New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set (Sita) | 2019
Eleven poets, Hiwot Adilow, Dalia Elhassan, Charity Hutete, Nour Kamel, Daisy Odey, Salawu Olajide, Musawenkosi Khanyile, Dina El Dessouky, Ama Asantewa Diaka, and ‘Gbenga Adeoba feature in this boxset. You can read excerpts from this collection here, on Poetry Society America.
New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set (Saba) | 2020
Michelle Angwenyi, Afua Ansong, Adedayo Agarau, Fatima Camara, Sadia Hassan, Safia Jama, Henneh Kyereh Kwaku, Nadra Mabrouk, Nkateko Masinga, Jamila Osman, and Tryphena Yeboah are the poets included in this boxset. You can read excerpts from this collection here, on Poetry Society America.
New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set (Nane) | 2021
There are thirteen poets included in this boxset: Selina Nwulu, Ayan M. Omar, Jeremy Teddy Karn, Ajibola Tolase, Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu, Sara Elkamel, Precious Arinze, Lameese Badr, Qutouf Yahia, Edil Hassan, Kolawole Adebayo, Cynthia Amoah, and Saradha Soobrayen. Especially in this collection do I have friends, two of them, breaking through.
Tisa: New-Generation African Poets, A Chapbook Box Set | 2023
The eleven poets included in this boxset are: Samuel A. Adeyemi, Nikitta Dede Adjirakor, O-Jeremiah Agbaakin, Rabha Ashry, Jakky Bankong-Obi, Hazem Fahmy, Alain Jules Hirwa, Jay Kophy, Tawiah Naana Akua Mensah, Phodiso Modirwa, and Nneoma Veronica Nwogu.
Kumi: New-Generation African Poets, A Chapbook Box Set | December 2024
Forthcoming this December is Kumi, featuring the work of nine new African poets. The nine poets included in this box set are: Nurain Ọládèjì, Sarpong Osei Asamoah, Claudia Owusu, Nome Emeka Patrick, Qhali, Connor Cogill, Feranmi Ariyo, Dare Tunmise, and Adams Adeosun. Pre-orders are available now here and are set to ship out on or before December 2024.
