With a literate population of over 110 million, there is a lot of potential to develop a reading culture. However, the Ethiopian book industry is still caught in a vicious circle with many writers struggling to make ends meet and publishers chasing profits.
To solve this problem, several Congolese publishers have launched publishing houses dedicated to putting books into the hands of readers. These include MeduNeter, La cle des couleurs, Anyjart and Dagan.
1. MeduNeter
Founded in 2011 by Dieudonne Gnammankou, an African historian and writer, MeduNeter is one of a new generation of Congolese book publishers that seek to separate themselves from Western dictates. They include Tamery, La cle des couleurs and Anyjart, all of which publish books by authors who are part of an Afrocentrist movement.
Afrocentrism is a political philosophy that advocates for an African way of thinking, including the Khemetic Nation, and seeks to promote the idea that Africa must take its own destiny into account. It is also a movement that encourages the creation of a literature separate from Western standards and promotes African authors, especially women.
This movement is not confined to books; it encompasses a variety of literary forms, such as vlogs, blogs and YouTube channels, that allow Congolese authors to present their work and share their perspectives. These are an integral part of the Afrocentrism movement because they offer a platform for African writers to share their ideas without the influence of Western publishers and the influence of Western ideas about Africa and the World.
The Afrocentrist movement is characterized by a desire to produce a literary tradition that is distinct from the Western literary tradition, which has dominated Congolese writing for over a century. The afrocentrists believe that the African people must rethink their world according to their own paradigm, which is why they choose not to publish traditional works and prefer to self-publish or write and share their work through alternative means such as vlogs, blogs, YouTube channels and other social media.
Another important aspect of the Afrocentrist movement is their support for independent Congolese comic book writers. These writers have the potential to become important contributors to Congolese literature, as well as to other genres of popular culture.
These writers are often drawn from the Congolese youth, and their work is based on local issues such as violence, unemployment, corruption, and poverty. They often use images and symbols to illustrate their stories, and some of them are also influenced by Western comics.
Many of these comics, however, remain rooted in the DRC’s historical context. For example, the DRC’s most famous comics writer Zamenga Batukezanga (1933-2000) is still a very popular author, and his work has sold tens of thousands of copies. In addition, a new wave of comics writers from the DRC are emerging, such as Jeremie Nsingi.
2. La cle des couleurs
La cle des couleurs is a top book publisher in Kinshasa, one of the most important African cities. It is also one of the leading publishers of books in the Afrocentrism movement, a sub-trend that aims to challenge the dominant paradigm and reconfigure the relationship between Africa and the rest of the world.
Its authors are rooted in a tradition of literature that is often overlooked, especially in the West. These authors reject the "classical" publishers of former colonial capitals and are self-publishing or sharing their writing via vlogs, blogs, YouTube channels, or other alternative means of communication.
They have a number of publishing projects underway, including an upcoming issue of the literary magazine Feuille de route. The goal of the project is to showcase the literary work of authors from Kinshasa and the rest of the country.
According to the organization, La cle des couleurs has published more than 30 titles since its inception. These include works by a wide range of authors, such as the French-language novelist David Diop, the Senegalese writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o, and the Congolese author Freddy Tsimba.
Aside from their publications, La cle des couleurs also organizes a week of flamboyant fashion shows every two years to celebrate the fashion culture of Kinshasa. These flamboyant performances are often accompanied by music.
Their fashion designs feature a mix of styles and colors, which are inspired by traditional African clothing. For example, they incorporate a combination of black and white patterns to create a striking look.
These designers are highly talented and are known for their use of a variety of materials and textiles, such as silk, wool, cotton, and leather. In addition, they are known for their innovative use of embroidery and beads.
Another major aspect of their work is the promotion of indigenous literature. They are involved in several campaigns to sensitize readers to the importance of reading, and they regularly organize events featuring popular authors, such as Harris Kasongo.
The popularity of comics is a result of a convergence of factors: the lack of writers' vocations in the DRC, the need for a creative and social space, and the desire to make reading a popular activity. This is a phenomenon that has been occurring for years and is likely to continue as African cultures gain more traction in the international literary world.
3. Anyjart
Anyjart is a top book publisher in Kinshasa that focuses on promoting negro-African literature. It is co-founded by Nioussere Kalala Omotunde and Jean Philippe Omotunde, who both come from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Anyjart publishes both fiction and nonfiction in French and is home to a wide range of books from many different African countries. Its publications also feature a number of local artists, including comic book writers and illustrators.
The comics tradition in the DRC is a strong one. As Cassiau-Haurie (2010) explains, it is rooted in Belgian colonialism and continues today despite economic and political instability. It is the basis for a new social imaginary.
It is an idiosyncratic expression of the postcolonial imagination, and a popular form of cultural production. It is at the crossroads of image, theater and social criticism.
In the DRC, comics have become an important medium for expressing the postcolonial imaginaries. They also help to create a popular culture that opposes Western cliches and other discourses.
While it is often difficult to find Congolese comic books in bookstores in the West, they have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among younger audiences. Moreover, the DRC has several small-run comic book publishing houses and collectives of authors who produce, distribute and sell their works themselves.
These Congolese comic books are mainly produced by illustrators who are struggling to make ends meet, and they must seek international partners and financial support from abroad. This is the case for several notable illustrators, including Tetshim Nsingi (Kash), who has a significant presence in the local and international comic book market.
Kash’s work has been recognized by a number of international publishers, including L’ Harmattan, which published his first two comic books, Vanity and Jungle urbaine. Kash has also been invited to present his work at the Festival d’Angouleme.
Anyjart has also collaborated with the literary movement “Les Revoltes de la plume,” founded by Harris Kasongo, in 2007. It promotes writers and book actors, as well as reading in general. It has launched several campaigns to sensitize young people about the importance of writers in a country like the DRC.
4. Dagan
The Congolese have always been fans of the comic book, and a recent wave of writers and illustrators are taking advantage of their country's rich agronomy and culture to create a new breed of high-quality comic books.
Among the top book publishers in Kinshasa is Dagan, which has been making waves in the book industry for several years. It publishes books by Kama Sywor Kamanda, Doumbi Fakoly and other notable African authors.
This burgeoning publishing house boasts an impressive list of awards and prizes, and the company has made a name for itself by promoting new African authors. In addition to promoting new works, Dagan also produces educational materials and guides for teachers.
The company also has a science-based agronomy model that can be used to manage the soil for optimal crop production and conservation. This unique technology has been hailed as the 'gold standard' by many international leaders in the field.
It may not be the first book publisher in Kinshasa to pop up on the list, but it should certainly be commended for its contributions to the country's literacy rate. It has also been a pioneer in promoting the country's literary heritage by offering a wide variety of interesting and useful literature. Moreover, it has been a trailblazer in helping to make reading a popular activity among young people. The best part is that it has been able to achieve this by creating a network of local writers and literary enthusiasts.
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