Pan-African journal Lọ́unlọ́un (pronounced /luh-woon-luh-woon/) is accepting year-round submissions for its “Witnessing” section, which focuses on personal stories that connect individual memory to broader African histories. The journal, which centers literature rooted in historical events that have shaped Africa, is open to writers of African descent at home and abroad.

What They’re Looking For: Lọ́unlọ́un seeks personal historical essays, memoirs, or narrative interviews exploring individual, familial, or communal interactions with significant historical events that shaped Africa. Essays should answer questions such as: How did this historical moment impact you, your family, or your environment? What did the world say happened, and how did you experience it? The journal is interested in events ranging from a 2004 car crash published in local newspapers to major historical moments like the Rwandan and Biafran genocides.

Submission Guidelines: “Witnessing” essays should be between 1,500 and 3,000 words, deeply reflective but not academic. All submissions must be based on an event that happened on or affected the continent, regardless of where characters are located. Submissions must include a brief historical setting description (maximum two sentences) and at least two reference links to the historical events. Work should be in EB Garamond, size 12, 1.5-spaced, submitted in Word document format with word count included. Fiction submissions are currently closed.

Payment and Rights: The journal currently cannot adequately compensate writers. Selected essays may be referenced in future academic or cultural work. The review process takes 3-6 weeks after the deadline, and the editorial team strives to provide feedback whenever possible.

To submit, send an email to [email protected] with the subject “Witnessing Submission,” include a third-person bio in the email body, and attach the story with references in Word document format. For more information, visit the website.