African Psychologies for the World: Call for Papers for a Special Issue of Psychology in Society journal

A reminder of the Call to for articles for a Special Issue of the journal PSYCHOLOGY IN SOCIETY (PINS) on “African Psychologies for the World.” Continue reading →

Malawian Woman Changes Sexually Repressive Customs

This story is worth sharing. The story was first reported last year in a number of African and international news outlets. It is still hope-restoring. It’s the story of Theresa Kachindamoto of Monkey Bay in Dedza District, Malawi. She is a custom-busting chief. She is a new hero of mine, and chiefs tend to make me nervous, although I have some kind of blood … Continue reading →

Examining Masculinities in Africa and Beyond, by Christophe Broqua and Anne Doquet

“In 1977, there was an issue of the African studies journal Cahiers d’Études africaines devoted to women (Vidal 1977c). In the foreword, Claudine Vidal told of the obstacles that it had been necessary to overcome in order to complete this project, which was new in two ways, because it involved asking women to write about … Continue reading →

Living Peace

“Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has often made headlines for its on-going conflicts, which have led millions to lose their lives, suffer displacement, or become the victims, witnesses, or perpetrators of violence. Living Peace, a programme in DRC dedicated to gender equality and the prevention of violence, could provide lessons learned for other countries … Continue reading →

Designing a New Critical African Psychology of Men and Masculinities

Long Abstract About three months ago I was in Paris where I had travelled to participate in the 6th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS). Over two years before that I convened three panels at the International Conference on African Studies that took place in Accra, in October 2013. A few months prior in the … Continue reading →

What is Africa, who is African, why African men?

Along with what does being a man precisely entail,  and why is there a need to, borrowing from Biko, pump life into manhood, the question who is an African underlies this blog. It is to be expected then when the question, formulated in different ways, who is an African man, comes up when individuals learn about the … Continue reading →

“I Want To Live a Life of a Free Imagination”

Will we say, when Binyavanga Wainaina came out? It feels like a significant event. Or not. Will it pass into nothingness next week? Possibly. And perhaps tomorrow will be like yesterday. Even then, whatever the day after brings with it – yet another war in Mali, newly-coined billionaires in Angola, horrific rape in South Africa or the … Continue reading →

Justice, Equality, Non-Sexism, Non-Racism, and Democracy Is What They Stood For – But Progressive Black Manhood Needn’t Mean Turning Into White Women in Drag

One of the ideals of the national freedom struggle in South Africa was to create a just, equal, non-sexist, non-racial, and democratic society. This is an ideal the Xhosa man of the abaThembu who became an international icon for progressive statesmanship and his fellow travelers stood for. We have not achieved that society yet. But … Continue reading →

Feelings and Thoughts of the Happiness of Seeming Opposites on Reconciliation Day, December 16 2013

Much has been said and written about the man. And much more will be in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. It’s exhausting. It’s energising. It’s depressing knowing how much a man and his comrades can do for you without you even recognising your debt for their sacrifice; how small, selfish, in your … Continue reading →

Two Views of A Tree: We Become What We Do, Hear and See

    Here are two views of a tree.  Now it is my intention to write about the Traditions Panels I convened in Ghana as part of International Conference on African Studies held at the University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana, October 24-26, 2013. Quite an important moment, I think. The best pitso of the three I have … Continue reading →