Lọ́unlọ́un Personal Essays Open Call – Witnessing

Lọ́unlọ́un have announced that their call for submissions for personal essays in now open, with the theme of Witnessing. Lọ́unlọ́un is a Pan-African literary journal that is interested in literature rooted in historical events that have shaped the continent. They want to tell stories about Africa by African writers, both at home and abroad.

Witnessing is a space for personal stories that connect individual memory to broader African histories. With Witnessing, they’re focusing on personal historical essays, memoirs, or even narrative interviews that explore individual, familial, or communal interactions with major historical events that have shaped Africa.

They’re looking for essays that answer questions like:

How did this historical moment impact you, your family, or your environment?

What did the world say happened—and how did you experience it?

Whether you’re writing about a deforestation that changed your childhood environment, a genocide that shaped your family’s beliefs, or growing up in a mineral resource-rich area, your story matters. Especially when it sheds new light, challenges controlled historical narratives, or reveals the emotional weight of moments that shaped African lives. Our memories can and should influence what we call history; altogether, we wish it for the best.

Submission Guidelines:

Personal historical essays & memoirs (non-fiction)

1,500 – 3,000 words

Open for submissions all year round

Not academic, but deeply reflective

Selected essays may be referenced in future academic or cultural work

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Enquiries about submissions should be directed to Lọ́unlọ́un. Please always refer to their website for complete details and information. 

Please note, this call is run by Lọ́unlọ́un, not the Commonwealth Foundation.