Jude Dibia's novel 'Walking With Shadows' is recognized as the first in West African literature to center a gay character. Dibia highlighted the societal silence and erasure of queer identities in West Africa. Despite facing initial rejections from publishers due to its controversial themes, the book was eventually published, though Dibia experienced backlash, including name-calling and being ostracized from literary spaces. The story follows Ebele Adrian Njoku, who grapples with his sexuality after his wife learns about his past, representing a significant shift in the portrayal of queer characters within African literature.
Dibia's novel is widely recognised as the first Nigerian book to depict queerness with depth and empathy, telling the story of a man confronting his sexuality.
Initially, some publishers refused to touch the novel, considering it too controversial, and others suggested reworking the ending, illustrating the hostility toward queer narratives.
Collection
[
|
...
]