Little background to the name of the podcast.
The name of the podcast is drawn from the way a real-life character, Cudjo Lewis or Kossula mentions the name Africa in Zora Neale Hurston’s posthumous publication, Barracoon, the tale of the last African cargo to the United States.
The name, while endearing, screamed an urgent need to hold onto the pride of being African at a time where the world clings onto the thought that Africa is a country or that there’s such a country as Nambia in Africa.
Kossula’s mention of the Afficky soil reminds fiercely to stand proud and unwaveringly African.
Motivations of the Podcast.
The Afficky Podcast will bring you warm and candid stories and conversations that reveal the African mind and heart beyond the stereotypes we hear every day. Nope, there’s no such place as Nambia in Africa. There’s a country called Namibia though.
We are curious, love to engage, and love to connect with like-minded individuals. Connect on efuarmstrong.com and on Instagram, @theaffickypodcast.
What the Afficky Podcast offers
A chance to listen to and relate to the stories of young Africans, what better way to hear stories than from natives?
Book recommendations and reviews for readers interested in African literature
A platform offering a chance to discover dynamic African talent and industriousness
Commentary on happenings in society
Warm, uncut stories and banter
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The Afficky Podcast presents conversations that reveal the heart and mind of Africa.
Quarter 1, Theme – The Notion of ‘Here and There’ and Some…
Ep 1. La Nostalgie de Pays and the Hybrid Identity, Growing up in Ghana and Kenya.
Rosa, ‘Efua”talks to Amanda ‘Mandy’ and Adoma from Kenya and Ghana about the hybrid identity and the third or transnational space. Two working words that will govern the conversation are hybrid and the transnational space.
The hybrid is that identity that is essentially a fusion of more than one cultural element. The third or transnational space is that place that has a multinational representation. Being both continental Africans, Mandy and Adoma have had a larger part of their formative years in Kenya and Ghana. In addition, most of their adult experience has been in the United States though they remain in close contact with Kenya and Ghana through their very lifestyles, daily choices, and interests.
On the podcast, we’re asking Mandy and Adoma to talk about their experiences as people who have had a fusion of diverse socio-cultural influences, and how being hybrids affect their daily lives while they are ‘Here or There’.
More recommendations on this subject –
The Satanic verses, a novel by Salman Rushdie
Ghana Must Go, a novel by Taiye Selasie
Taiye Selassie’s Ted Talk Don’t ask Where I am from, ask where I am a Local
Homi Bhabar on Hybridity and Post Colonial Studies
Ep. 2 The Young Professional, work and lessons from ‘Here and There’
Rosa ‘Efua’ speaks with Vanessa Morgan who works as a coordinator of multicultural advising and African American student success at Ohio University. She recently graduated with a double MA in International development and French language and literature from the same institution. Vanessa identifies as introverted and speaks of her professional academic life being Ghanaian and US-educated. On episode two, we explore working as a young professional, lessons from different cultural experiences best practices and good to knows.
Recommended Ted on the conversation –
Ep. 3 The Different Faces of Grad School
On episode three, we speak with Lumka and James about why anyone must consider going to grad school, the journey, what to do to keep sane, professional goals and more…
The recommended material on the conversation
Ep. 4 The Natural Hair Conversation
On part 1 of episode 4, we explore the conversation surrounding hairstyle choices for the African and if your hair choice comes out of the simple and sometimes superficial need to be stylish or an underlying belief that your hair is not beautiful enough.
Recommended material on the conversation
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Dear Ijeawele, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, read the book review here.
Liberian finance ministry bans colored hair, read here.
Follow on @theaffickypodcast on Instagram
