Over 21 "African" Writing Prompts
The Griot's Message
During the height of the Mali Empire, explore the journey of a griot (traditional storyteller) entrusted with a crucial message from the Emperor to a distant, rebellious province. Along the traversed path, the griot encounters various cultural groups, faces natural dangers, and delves into the empire's scattered mythology, all while trying to maintain the fragile peace that holds the empire together.
Gold and Salt Across Mali
Develop a narrative centered on the trade routes of the medieval Mali Empire. Follow a merchant who, along with his camel caravan, travels across vast deserts to trade goods like salt, gold, and manuscripts. Along the way, he encounters different cultures, faces natural disasters, and builds friendships that defy boundaries.
The Axum Trader's Warning
Write a story set in the kingdom of Axum (modern-day Ethiopia), where a trader's return from a journey across the Indian Ocean brings not only spices and silks but also the news of a rising empire threatening their trade routes. Explore how this information shapes the fate of the trader’s family and their community’s future.
Shipwreck on the Swahili Coast
Write from the perspective of a young woman living in a Swahili city-state in the 12th century. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she stumbles upon a shipwreck off the coast, leading to an encounter with traders from faraway lands. Detail her evolving perceptions of the world, trade politics, and her role in forging a bridge between diverse cultures.
Posters Against Apartheid
In 1950s South Africa, during the early years of apartheid, a rebellious teen artist finds their voice through creating powerful political posters. The story deepens when they form an unlikely alliance with a local journalist determined to expose the truth behind the propaganda. Together, they risk everything in pursuit of justice and freedom for their people.
The Griot’s Secret
In pre-colonial West Africa, write a story about a young griot (storyteller) entrusted with a secret that could either bring peace or war to rival kingdoms. Explore how the griot navigates the political tensions, using the power of oral history and music.
The Artisan of Great Zimbabwe
Set against the backdrop of the Great Zimbabwe in its construction era, narrate the story of an artisan who discovers a plot that could lead to the fall of the city. Tasked with the construction of the great enclosure, unravel how this artisan uses their unique skills and knowledge of the city's labyrinthine passageways to foil the plot and uncover hidden truths about the rulers.
The Gold Coast Storykeeper
Set during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, craft a story from the perspective of an elderly African woman in a village on the Gold Coast. She reflects on the changes she has witnessed and recounts her efforts to secretly sabotage slave traders, while preserving her culture through myths and legends for the younger generations.
The Scribe Who Built for Ramses
In Ancient Egypt during the reign of Ramses II, a young scribe dreams of becoming a royal architect but faces rigid social stratification. Describe their journey of creativity, political intrigue, and the miraculous project that could elevate their status forever.
Letters from the African Regiment
Imagine you are a young soldier from one of the African regiments that fought alongside the British in WWII. Write a series of letters home, detailing your experiences abroad, the camaraderie with soldiers from other colonies, and your thoughts about what this war means for your own hopes for independence.