Nommo Awards

Last updated
The Nommo Awards
ASFS Nommo Icon.jpg
Awarded forBest speculative fiction work by Africans
Presented byThe African Speculative Fiction Society
First awarded2017
Website www.africansfs.com

The Nommo Awards are literary awards presented by The African Speculative Fiction Society. The awards recognize works of speculative fiction by Africans, defined as "science fiction, fantasy, stories of magic and traditional belief, alternative histories, horror and strange stuff that might not fit in anywhere else." [1]

Contents

The Nommo Awards have four categories: Best Novel, Novella, Short Story, and Graphic Novel, and are named after the Nommo, ancestral spirits from Dogon cosmology who take a variety of forms, including appearing on land as fish, walking on their tails.

The 2022 Nommo Awards were announced at Chicon8, the World Science Fiction Convention held in Chicago, USA. They were:

The African Speculative Fiction Society

The African Speculative Fiction Society Logo designed by Stephen Embleton August 2016 ASFS Logo large.jpg
The African Speculative Fiction Society Logo designed by Stephen Embleton August 2016

The African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) promotes science fiction and fantasy by Africans. Its members include writers, editors, artists and publishers. Established August 15, 2016 with 58 charter members, the ASFS and its Nommo Awards is a body for African science fiction/fantasy professionals. [2] [3]

Members nominate and vote on the Nommo Awards for African Speculative Fiction. [4]

“The ASFS will provide a place where writers, readers, and scholars can come together to find information, connect with each other, and act as watchdogs for their collective interests.” Chinelo Onwualu, co-founder of Omenana [5]

The 2016 charter members

The African Speculative Fiction Society 58 original charter members of 2016. [6] [7]

  1. A. Igoni Barrett
  2. Afolabi Muheez Ashiru
  3. Amatesiro Dore
  4. Andrew C. Dakalira
  5. Ayodele Arigbabu
  6. Biram Mboob
  7. Catherine Shepherd
  8. Cat Corona Hellisen
  9. Chad Rossouw
  10. Mazi Chigozie Nwonwu
  11. Chikodili Emelumadu
  12. Chinelo Onwualu
  13. Clifton Cachuaga
  14. Dave de Burgh
  15. Dayo Ntwari
  16. Denise Kavuma
  17. Diane Awerbuck
  18. Dilman Dila
  19. Ekari Mbvundula
  20. Ellah Wakatama Allfrey
  21. Ezeiyoke Chukwunonso
  22. IfeOluwa Nihinlola
  23. Ivor Hartmann
  24. Jason Mykl Snyman
  25. Jekwu Ozoemene
  26. Joan de la Haye
  27. Joe Machina
  28. John Barigye
  29. Hannah Onoguwe
  30. Kiprop Kumutai
  31. Lauren Beukes
  32. Mame Diene
  33. Mandisi Nkomo
  34. Margaret Hegottir
  35. Masimba Musodza
  36. Mehul Gohil
  37. Mia Aderne
  38. Moses Kilolo
  39. Muthi Nhlema
  40. Nerine Dorman
  41. Nick Wood
  42. Nikhil Singh
  43. Ntone Edjabe
  44. Oshoke Irene
  45. Pemi Aguda
  46. Rafee Aliyu
  47. Ray Mwihaki
  48. Richard Oduor Oduku
  49. Samuel Kolawole
  50. Shadreck Chikoti
  51. Sofia Samatar
  52. Sophie Alal
  53. Stephen Embleton
  54. Suyi Davies Okungbowa
  55. Tade Thompson
  56. Terh Agbedeh
  57. Tiseki Tich Chilima
  58. Wole Talabi

Logo design

Nommo icon designed by Stephen Embleton 2016 ASFS Nommo Icon.jpg
Nommo icon designed by Stephen Embleton 2016

The Nommo Awards logo and ASFS logos were designed in 2016 by Stephen Embleton. [8] The logo is an image of the Nommo in Dogon cosmology, twins who on land can take the form of fish walking on their tails. [9]

"The Nommo are mythological ancestral spirits (sometimes referred to as deities) worshipped by the Dogon people of Mali. The word Nommos is derived from a Dogon word meaning "to make one drink." The Nommos are usually described as amphibious, hermaphroditic, fish-like creatures. Folk art depictions of the Nommos show creatures with humanoid upper torsos, legs/feet, and a fish-like lower torso and tail. The Nommos are also referred to as “Masters of the Water”, “the Monitors”, and "the Teachers”. Nommo can be a proper name of an individual, or can refer to the group of spirits as a whole. For purposes of this article “Nommo” refers to a specific individual and “Nommos” is used to reference the group of beings."

Winners and short list nominees

Novel

The Novel Award is also known as The Ilube Nommo Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel by an African.

YearAuthorNovelPublisherRef.
2017 Tade Thompson* Rosewater Orbit [10]
A. Igoni Barrett Blackass Graywolf Press [10]
Shadreck Chikoti Azotus, The KingdomPan African Publishers [10]
Nikhil SinghTaty Went WestRosarium Publishing [10]
Nick WoodAzanian BridgesNewCon Press [10]
2018 Tochi Onyebuchi* Beasts Made of Night Penguin Young Readers Group [11]
Gavin ChaitOur Memory Like DustDoubleday [11]
Deon Meyer FeverGrove/Atlantic, Inc. [11]
Nnedi Okorafor Akata Warrior Penguin Young Readers Group [11]
Deji Bryce OlokotunAfter the FlareThe Unnamed Press [11]
Masha du ToitThe RealCreateSpace Publishing [11]
2019 Akwaeke Emezi* Freshwater Grove Press [12]
Tomi Adeyemi Children of Blood and Bone Henry Holt and Co [12]
Nechama BrodieKnucklebonePan Macmillan [12]
Imraan Coovadia A Spy in TimeRare Bird Books [12]
Cat Hellisen Empty MonstersAmazon [12]
Masha du ToitThe StrangeIndependently Published [12]
2020 Suyi Davies Okungbowa* David Mogo, Godhunter Abaddon [13] [14]
Nerine DormanSing Down the StarsTafelberg [13]
Masande Ntshanga TriangulumPenguin Random House South Africa & Two Dollar Radio [13]
Tochi Onyebuchi War Girls Razorbill [13]
Namwali Serpell The Old Drift Hogarth [13]
Tade Thompson The Rosewater Insurrection Orbit [13]
2021 Akwaeke Emezi* The Death of Vivek Oji Riverhead [15] [16]
Stephen EmbletonSoul SearchingGuardbridge [15]
Nikhil SinghClub DedLuna [15]
2022 T.L. Huchu* The Library of the Dead Tor [17] [18]
TJ Benson The Madhouse Penguin South Africa [17]
Namina Forna The Gilded Ones Delacorte/Usborne [17]
Suyi Davies Okungbowa Son of the Storm Orbit US/Orbit UK [17]
Cheryl S. NtumyThey Made Us Blood and FurySelf Published [17]
Tade Thompson Far from the Light of Heaven Orbit US/Orbit UK [17]

Novella

YearAuthor(s)NovellaPublisherRef.
2017 Nnedi Okorafor* Binti Tor.com Publishing [10]
Mame Bougouma DieneHell Freezes OverStoryTime [10]
Dilman Dila The Flying Man of StoneStoryTime [10]
Muthi NhlemaTa O'RevaFreeeditorial.com [10]
Tade Thompson & Nick WoodThe Last PantheonStoryTime [10]
2018 Tade Thompson* The Murders of Molly Southbourne Tor.com Publishing [11]
Sofia Samatar FallowSmall Beer Press [11]
Nnedi Okorafor Binti: Home Tor.com Publishing [11]
2019 Nerine Dorman*The FirebirdAmazon [12]
Caldon MullNeid-FireAmazon [12]
Nnedi Okorafor Binti: The Night Masquerade Tor.com Publishing [12]
Sofia Samatar Hard MaryLightspeed [12]
2020 Wole Talabi*Incompleteness TheoriesIncomplete Solutions [13] [14]
Kerstin HallThe Border KeeperTor.com Publishing [13]
Caldon MullWeathermanSelf-Published [13]
2021 Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki* Ife-Iyoku: The Tale of Imadeyunuagbon Dominion [15] [16]
David A. AttaGuardians: The AwakeningMakere [15]
Dilman Dila A Fledgling AbibaGuardbridge [15]
Tochi Onyebuchi Riot Baby Tordotcom [15]
Tlotlo Tsamaase The Silence of the Wilting SkinPink Narcissus [15]
2022 Nnedi Okorafor* Remote Control Tordotcom [17] [18]
Dilman Dila The Future God of LoveLuna [17]
Kola Heyward-RotimiAn Exploration of Nicole Otieno’s Early Filmography (1232-1246)Strange Horizons (9/13/21) [17]
Erhu KomeNot Seeing is a FlowerEraserhead [17]
Nuzo Onoh The AbominationF&SF9 (10/21) [17]

Short Story

YearAuthorShort StoryPublicationRef.
2017 Lesley Nneka Arimah*"Who Will Greet You At Home" [10]
Tendai Huchu*"The Marriage Plot" [10]
Innocent Immaculate Acan"Sundown" [10]
Blaize Kaye"Ndakusuwa" [10]
Wole Talabi"Wednesday's Story" [10]
2018 Wole Talabi*"The Regression Test" [11]
Nerine Dorman"On the Other Side of the Sea" [11]
Sibongile Fisher"A Door Ajar" [11]
Chinelo Onwualu "Read Before Use" [11]
Henrietta Rose-Innes "Snake Story" [11]
2019 Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki*"The Witching Hour"Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Stones [12]
Tiah Marie Beautement"Momento Mori" Omenana Magazine [12]
T. L. Huchu "Njuzu"AfroSFV3 [12]
Blaize Kaye"Brand New Ways (to lose you over and over again)"Omenana [12]
Derek Lubangakene"Origami Angels"Omenana [12]
Biram Mboob"The Luminal Frontier"AfroSFV3 [12]
Cristy Zinn"The Girl Who Stared at Mars"AfroSFV3 [12]
2020 Chikodili Emelumadu*"Sin Eater" Omenana Magazine [13] [14]
Ada Nnadi*"Tiny Bravery"Omenana [13] [14]
Ivana Akotowaa Ofori"Principles of Balance"Jalada [13]
Suyi Davies Okungbowa "The Haunting of 13 Olúwo Street"Fireside [13]
Deji Bryce Olukotun"Between the Dark and the Dark" Lightspeed [13]
Wole Talabi "When We Dream We Are Our God" Apex [13]
2021 Innocent Chizaram Ilo*"Rat and Finch Are Friends" Strange Horizons (3/2/20) [15] [16]
Tlotlo Tsamaase*"Behind Our Irises" Africanfuturism: An Anthology [15] [16]
Tiah Marie Beautement"The Bend of Water"Omenana (8/30/20) [15]
T. L. Huchu "Corialis"Fiyah (Autumn '19) [15]
Tobi Ogundiran"The Goatkeeper’s Harvest"The Dark (9/20) [15]
2022 ‘Pemi Aguda*"Masquerade Season"Tor.com (3/24/21) [17] [18]
Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpek"O2 Arena"Galaxy's Edge (11/21) [17]
Mbozie Haimbre"Shelter"Disruption [17]
Shingai Njeri Kagunda"And This Is How to Stay Alive"Fantasy (11/20) [17]
Tobi Ogundiran"The Many Lives of an Abiku"Beneath Ceaseless Skies (7/30/20) [17]
Makena Onjerika "The Brother"Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology to the Most (Fictional) Haunted Buildings in the Weird, Wild World [17]
Wole Talabi "An Arc of Electric Skin"Asimov's (9-10/21) [17]
Tlotlo Tsamaase "Dreamports"Apex (12/21) [17]

Graphic Novel

YearArtist(s) & Author(s)Graphic NovelPublisherRef.
2017 Chronic No. 3 Various writers & artists*The Corpse Exhibition [10]
Ibrahim Ganiyu, Chike Newman Nwankwo & Akinwade Ayodeji AkinolaJune 12 [10]
Xavier Ighorodje & Stanley ObendeAvonome [10]
Jide Martin & Toheeb Deen IpayeMight of Guardian Prime [10]
2018 Kwabena Ofei & Setor Fiadzigbey*Lake of Tears [11]
Wale Awelenje & Jide MartinGuardian Prime GenesisThe Comic Republic [11]
Michael Balogun & Adeleye YusufIreti BidemiThe Comic Republic [11]
Tobe Ezeogu & Keith IssacHero KakereThe Comic Republic [11]
Tobe Ezeogu & Ozo EzeoguEruThe Comic Republic [11]
Robert S. Malan & John CockshawQuest of the Sign of the Shining Beast [11]
2019 Nnedi Okorafor & Leonardo Romero*ShuriMarvel Comics [12]
Marguerite Abouet, Mathieu Sapin, Judith Taboy, & Marie BédruneAkissi: Tales of MichiefFlying Eye Books [12]
Farida Bedwei & Ravi AlloteyKarmzahAfrocomix App, Leti Arts [12]
Tobe Max Ezeogu & Ozo EzeoguEruThe Comic Republic [12]
Cassandra Mark & Tobe Max EzeoguTàtàshéThe Comic Republic [12]
Loyiso Mkize, Mohale Mashigo, & Clyde BeechKweziNew Africa Books [12]
Luke MolverShaka RisingStoryPress Africa [12]
Nnedi Okorafor, André Araújo, Mario Del Pennino, Tana Ford, & Aaron Covington Black Panther: Long Live the KingMarvel Comics [12]
Roye Okupe & Chima KaluMalika Warrior Queen Part TwoYouNeek Studios [12]
Austine Osas, Abiodun Awodele, & Yusuf TemitopeUnder the SunPedacomics Ltd [12]
Yvonne Wanyoike, Kendi Mberia, & Salim BusuruRovikVibondu Comics, Avandu [12]
2020 Morakinyo Araoye, Steven Akinyemi, & Ogim Ekpezu*DanfoTAG Comics [13] [14]
Ssentongo CharlesSanuElupe Comics [13]
Beserat Debebe & Stanley ObendeHawiEtan Comics [13]
Mika HirwaKamiMira Hirwa [13]
Kiprop Kimutai & Salim BusuruBeast from VenusAvandu Vosi [13]
Bill MasukuCaptain South AfricaEnigma Comix [13]
Bill MasukuWelcome to the Dead WorldSam Graphico Anthology [13]
Ziki Nelson & Jason LamyNaniKugali Comics [13]
2021 Nana Akosua Hanson & AnimaxFYB*MoonGirlsDrama Queens [15] [16]
Murewa Ayodele & Dotun AkandeNew MenAction Lab – Danger Zone [15]
Mazuba ChimbezaTitanBlack Hut [15]
Qintu CollabMeanwhile…MaThoko’s [15]
Anna Mbale & Mwiche SongoloAlexBlack Hut [15]
Mwiche SongoloBlack SheepBlack Hut [15]
2022 Roye Okupe & Godwin Akpan*Iyanu: Child of Wonder, Volume 2Dark Horse [17] [18]
Awele EmiliThe IjournalAweleEmili.com [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nommo</span> Primordial ancestral spirits in Dogon religion and cosmogony

The Nommo or Nummo are primordial ancestral spirits in Dogon religion and cosmogony venerated by the Dogon people of Mali. The word Nommos is derived from a Dogon word meaning "to make one drink." Nommos are usually described as amphibious, hermaphroditic, fish-like creatures. Folk art depictions of Nommos show creatures with humanoid upper torsos, legs/feet, and a fish-like lower torso and tail. Nommos are also referred to as "Masters of the Water", "the Monitors", and "the Teachers". Nommo can be a proper name of an individual or can refer to the group of spirits as a whole. For purposes of this article, "Nommo" refers to a specific individual and "Nommos" is used to reference the group of beings.

The Nommo are ancestral spirits revered by the Dogon people of Mali.

<i>Binti</i> (novella) 2015 science fiction novella by Nnedi Okorafor

Binti is an Africanfuturist science fiction horror novella written by Nnedi Okorafor. The novella was published in 2015 by Tor.com. Binti is the first novella in Okorafor's Binti novella series.

Tade Thompson FRSL is a British-born Nigerian psychiatrist and writer best known for his science fiction novel series Rosewater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suyi Davies Okungbowa</span> Nigerian author

Suyi Davies Okungbowa is a Nigerian fantasy, science fiction and speculative writer and academic. He is the author of various novels, including The Nameless Republic epic fantasy trilogy, beginning with Son of the Storm. His debut was the godpunk fantasy novel, David Mogo, Godhunter. He has also written works for younger readers under the author name Suyi Davies, including Minecraft: The Haven Trials. His work is heavily influenced by the histories and cultures of West Africa and Nigeria, and discusses themes of identity, challenging difference and finding home. WIRED referred to him as "one of the most promising new voices coterie of African SFF writers." He is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Ottawa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margret Helgadottir</span> Norwegian-Icelandic author and editor (born 1971)

Margret Helgadottir is Norwegian-Icelandic, a four times British Fantasy Award-nominated author and anthology editor, and winner of the Starburst's Brave New Words Award.

Chikodili Emelumadu is a British Nigerian speculative fiction writer.

Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki is a Nigerian speculative fiction writer, editor and publisher who is the first African-born Black author to win a Nebula Award. He's also received a World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, Otherwise Award, and two Nommo Awards along with being a multi-time finalist for a number of other honors including the Hugo Award.

<i>Rosewater</i> (Thompson novel) 2016 science fiction novel by Tade Thompson

Rosewater is a 2016 science fiction novel by Nigerian-British writer Tade Thompson. In Rosewater, Nigerian agent Kaaro uses his psychic powers to investigate a mysterious alien dome and deaths linked to it. It was followed by two sequels: The Rosewater Insurrection and The Rosewater Redemption which were published in 2019 simultaneously. The novel won the inaugural Nommo Award as well as the 2019 Arthur C. Clarke Award.

<i>David Mogo, Godhunter</i> 2019 novel by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

David Mogo, Godhunter is the debut novel of Nigerian writer Suyi Davies Okungbowa. It was released by Abaddon Books, an imprint of Rebellion Publishing in Oxford, UK on July 9, 2019 in the US and two days later in the UK and Europe.

<i>Beasts Made of Night</i> 2017 fantasy novel by Tochi Onyebuchi

Beast Made of Night is a 2017 young adult fantasy novel by Nigerian-American novelist Tochi Onyebuchi. It is the first book in a duology set in a magical world inspired by Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Wiswell</span> American science fiction and fantasy author

John Wiswell is an American science fiction and fantasy author whose short fiction has won the Locus and Nebula Awards and been a finalist for the Hugo, British Fantasy, and World Fantasy Awards. His debut fantasy novel, Someone You Can Build a Nest In, will be released in spring 2024 by DAW Books and Quercus.

<i>Riot Baby</i> 2020 adult novella by Tochi Onyebuchi

Riot Baby is a science fiction novella written by Nigerian-American author Tochi Onyebuchi published in 2020.

<i>Omenana Magazine</i> Nigerian speculative fiction Magazine

Omenana Magazine is a speculative fiction online magazine that publishes stories by writers from Africa and the African diaspora. It is edited and published by Fred Chiagozie Nwonwu. It was founded in 2014 by Fred Chiagozie Nwonwu and Chinelo Onwualu.

Chinelo Onwualu is a Nigerian editor and a speculative fiction writer. She is the co-founder and previous editor-in-chief of Omenana Magazine. She is also co-editor at Anathema Magazine.

Ife-Iyoku, the Tale of Imadeyunuagbon is a fantasy novella by Nigerian speculative fiction writer Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki. It was first published Selene Quarterly in August 2019, and republished in Dominion: An Anthology of Speculative Fiction From Africa and the African Diaspora anthology which was published by Aurelia Leo in 2020. The novella received critical reviews.

Tlotlo Tsamaase is a Motswana speculative fiction writer and poet whose stories and poems have been nominated for or won numerous awards. She is currently represented by Naomi Davis of BookEnds Literary Agency.

<i>The Years Best African Speculative Fiction</i> Collection of short stories by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki

The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction is an anthology of African speculative fiction edited by Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki.

Cherae Clark, also known under the pen name C. L. Clark, is an American author and editor of speculative fiction, a personal trainer, and an English teacher. She graduated from Indiana University's creative writing MFA and was a 2012 Lambda Literary Fellow. Their debut novel, The Unbroken, first book of the Magic of the Lost trilogy, was published by Orbit Books in 2021 and received critical acclaim, including starred reviews at Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. The Unbroken was a Finalist for the 2021 Nebula Award for Best Novel, the 2022 Robert Holdstock Award for Best Fantasy Novel from the British Fantasy Awards, the 2022 Ignyte Award for Best Novel - Adult, and the 2022 Locus Award for Best First Novel. Her work has appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies,FIYAH Literary Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, Glitter + Ashes: Queer Tales of a World That Wouldn't Die, PodCastle, Tor.com, Uncanny, and The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction (2021). Clark edited, with series editor Charles Payseur, We're Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction of 2020, which won the 2022 Ignyte Award for Best Anthology/Collected Work and the 2022 Locus Award for Best Anthology.

<i>Africa Risen</i> 2022 speculative fiction anthology

Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction is a speculative fiction anthology edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, Zelda Knight, and Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki featuring 32 original works of fiction. It was published in 2022 by Tor Publishing.

References

  1. ↑ "Announcing the 2019 Nommo Awards Winners". 25 October 2019.
  2. ↑ "bookshy: Four and a Half Years Later: Science Fiction and Fantasy in African Literature". bookshy. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  3. ↑ "Inaugural Nommo Awards". Locus Online. 2016-08-25. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  4. ↑ "The African Speculative Fiction Society Announces the Nommo Awards". Tor.com. 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  5. ↑ "The African Speculative Fiction Society Announces the Nommo Awards". Tor.com. 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  6. ↑ "Press Pack". www.africansfs.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  7. ↑ "Google Drive: Sign-in". accounts.google.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  8. ↑ "The African Speculative Fiction Society is here!" . Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  9. ↑ "Google Drive: Sign-in". accounts.google.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "Announcing the 2017 Nommo Award Winners". 16 November 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Tade Thompson, Tochi Onyebuchi, and More Amongst the Winners of the 2018 NOMMO Awards". 26 October 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 "Announcing the 2019 Nommo Award Winners". 25 October 2019.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "2020 Nommo Awards Shortlist". 15 May 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "2020 Nommo Awards Winners". 26 October 2020.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "2021 Nommo Awards Shortlist". June 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "2021 Nommo Awards Winners". 17 December 2021.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "2022 Nommo Awards Shortlist". 17 May 2022.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "2022 Nommo Award Winners".


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