colonialism
The Forgotten Ones
A prominent feature of post-colonial Nigeria was a remarkable fondness for everything white. This included western education and white-collar jobs, leading to the demonization of certain informal professions. For some reason, artists were among the most reviled.
How Mehndi Helped Me Embrace My South Asian Roots During the Pandemic
I started hating this tradition. In doing so, I ran from myself, more worried about whether my authentic self was acceptable. I would make faces and moan about how annoying the process of applying and removing Mehndi is – just like my British friends do now – while also secretly loving how beautiful and elegant my hands looked.
Wherefore, qua, bonum: decrypting Indian legalese
The English language arrived in India with the British colonists of the 17th century, giving rise to unique genres and variants, including some that characterize formal communications on the subcontinent to this day. “It seems that some judges have unrealised literary dreams,” one former judge told me. “Maybe it’s a colonial hangover, or the feeling that obfuscation is a sign of merit… It can then become a 300-page judgment, just pontificating."
Safety Is Always Conditional
The expats who fled Kenya in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis showed us where their true loyalty lies.
Haunted by the Ghosts of Taiwan’s Colonial Past
A Review of Green Grass, Pale Fire (草地火焰)
