Destination: Nigeria
R.I.P. Chinua Achebe
by Jim Benning | 03.22.13 | 10:49 AM ET
The celebrated Nigerian writer has died at the age of 82.
He was best known for his novel “Things Fall Apart,” which is about the clash of traditional Nigerian culture with the arrival of bibles and British colonial rule. When the novel turned 50 in 2008, Frank Bures reflected on its impact and the world Achebe evoked.
The publication of “Things Fall Apart” is often cited as the birth of modern African literature, and since its publication the book has sold some 11 million copies in 50 countries.The Chronicle of Higher Education wrote that for Americans, is it “the quintessential novel about Africa.” In fact, it is the foundation of tens of thousands of college students’ introduction to the continent, and forms many of our ideas of the place even today.
That’s fine, and I realize that “Things Fall Apart” is required reading. But as important as it is, “Things Fall Apart” is a novel of the past. Since then Africa has changed so much and so fast that the amalgam of the world Achebe wrote about and the one we see today can be hard to recognize. These days, there are so many other great novels coming out that reflect the Africa of today: “Graceland,” “Waiting for an Angel,” “Purple Hibiscus,” and on and on.
Odd Jobs: Interview With a Nigerian Garment Fixer
by Lola Akinmade | 11.19.10 | 9:36 AM ET
Lola Akinmade meets a guy in Lagos who'll fix the shirt right off your back
World Travel Watch: Violence in Jamaica, World Cup Preparations in South Africa and More
by Larry Habegger | 05.26.10 | 11:50 AM ET
Larry Habegger rounds up global travel news
Mapped—The Roads Between Us: A Journey Across Africa
by Frank Bures | 04.21.10 | 12:01 PM ET
Frank Bures's notes and impressions from his journey from Lagos, Nigeria to Dakar, Senegal
Interview with Jeremy Weate: Off the Map in Nigeria
by Frank Bures | 04.21.10 | 11:56 AM ET
Frank Bures talks to the guidebook author about the challenges and rewards of travel in Nigeria
The Roads Between Us: A Journey Across Africa
by Frank Bures | 04.19.10 | 11:58 AM ET
In a five-part series, Frank Bures explores the meaning of travel when arrival is not guaranteed
Nigeria’s Rebranding Campaign Hits a Hollywood Road Block
by Eva Holland | 09.28.09 | 11:43 AM ET
Poor Nigeria. The government there launched a major rebranding campaign back in March, attempting to improve its reputation for corruption and annoying email scams, but so far cooperation from outside the country has been hard to come by. Two of the latest obstacles? A Sony PlayStation commercial that made a crack about those aforementioned email scams, and the sci-fi movie “District 9,” which apparently portrays its Nigerian characters as “gangsters, cannibals, pimps and prostitutes.” Ouch.
Morning Links: Holidays in Banda Aceh, ‘Slavery Theme Park’ and More
by Michael Yessis | 02.17.09 | 9:15 AM ET
- Passengers can no longer kiss at England’s Warrington Bank Quay Station.
- Is Marlon Jackson supporting a “slavery theme park” in Nigeria?
- The Mumbai attacks have apparently “put the brakes” on tourism in India.
- State and local governments to travel booking sites: Pay up!
- Daisann McLane: “Until I learn a place with my feet, I never really feel like I know it.”
- John Aglionby says Banda Aceh “has arguably become one of south-east Asia’s hidden holiday destinations.”
- Spud Hilton sifts through language-study options for travelers.
- In typo news: There’s one on the Manhattan Supreme Courthouse. It only took 82 years to discover it. Hooray!
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The Year’s Six Best Global Pop Albums
by Ben Keene | 02.06.09 | 10:49 AM ET
Ben Keene wants a new category added at the Grammys: Global Pop for the Traveling Mind. Herewith, his nominees.
Chinua Achebe (Briefly) Returns to Nigeria
by Eva Holland | 01.21.09 | 12:33 PM ET
The renowned author of Things Fall Apart returned to his home country recently to deliver a lecture, after almost two decades spent overseas. As This Day Online notes, “all previous efforts to bring Achebe home, who was highly critical of the Olusegun Obasanjo government, had failed until now.” (Via The Book Bench)
Black Gold and the Golden Rule
by Jeffrey Tayler | 03.28.08 | 1:33 PM ET
In Nigeria, Africa's leading petrostate, a local oil worker named Sunday had every reason for rage and despair, but as Jeffrey Tayler discovered, he turned the other cheek.
‘Things Fall Apart’: 50 Years Later
by Frank Bures | 02.29.08 | 11:15 AM ET
For many, Chinua Achebe's classic novel serves as an introduction to Africa. But Frank Bures writes that the place it depicts is now hard to recognize.
The Lost World of Nigeria
by Frank Bures | 07.30.07 | 11:41 AM ET
The Eredo once formed a boundary between the real and spirit worlds, and could easily contain Manhattan. Frank Bures goes in search of one of the planet's forgotten architectural wonders.
Suffering and Smiling: Vanity Fair Does Africa
by Frank Bures | 06.27.07 | 11:31 AM ET
Africa is hot. Why? So we can save it? Frank Bures deconstructs the magazine's latest issue and what it says about Western views of the continent.
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