Writers, poets, sculptors and other artists gathered at the Henry Tayali Art Gallery in Lusaka for a seminar exploring the crisis of identity in postcolonial writing, with visiting researcher John Corley leading discussions on the challenges facing African literature.
The seminar, held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, brought together participants from different creative disciplines, including members of Kuchalo, for an afternoon of literary reflection on how colonial history, publishing economics and migration continue to influence the way African stories are written, published and received.
Based on his PhD research, Corley examined the relationship between African writers and the societies they portray, raising questions about the extent to which the publishing industry influences literary expression and whether writers are sometimes compelled to shape their work to appeal to audiences outside their home countries.
The discussion also considered the implications of authors migrating abroad, particularly the potential distance that can develop between writers and the communities, cultural experiences and social realities that inform their work.
Participants were given an opportunity to engage freely with Corley, offering their own perspectives, experiences and questions on the issues he raised.
The presence of poets, novelists, sculptors and other practitioners broadened the conversation beyond conventional literary writing, allowing participants to consider how questions of identity and cultural representation are expressed through different art forms.
Anna Zgambo, the organiser of the seminar, guided participants on how to engage with the speaker, helping to facilitate an open and constructive exchange of ideas.
Rather than limiting the session to a formal presentation, the gathering encouraged contributions from those in attendance, creating room for differing viewpoints and reflections grounded in their creative experiences.
A central concern of the seminar was the continuing influence of colonial perspectives on African literature. Participants were invited to reflect on how inherited ideas about Africa, its people and their histories may continue to shape literary production, including the subjects writers choose, the characters they portray and the audiences they seek to reach.
The question of writing for local or foreign audiences also featured prominently in the seminar’s theme. For African writers, the need to earn a living from their work can intersect with the expectations of publishers and readers, raising questions about the balance between commercial viability and cultural authenticity.
The discussion further explored the challenge of translating precolonial oral traditions into written literature. African societies have long preserved their histories, values and collective experiences through storytelling, poetry, proverbs, songs and other oral forms. Capturing the depth and meaning of these traditions in written texts requires writers to consider not only language but also cultural context, performance and the knowledge carried within communities.
For the artists in attendance, the seminar provided an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility of creative practitioners in documenting African experiences without losing sight of the cultural identities that give their work meaning.
The participation of Kuchalo members added to the diversity of voices at the gathering, bringing together perspectives relevant to the publication’s interest in African stories, cultural expression and the experiences of people at home and in the diaspora.
The seminar highlighted questions that remain important for African writers and publishers: who tells African stories, whose expectations influence those stories, and how can writers remain connected to their cultural roots while reaching wider audiences?
By encouraging open participation across artistic disciplines, the gathering created space for these questions to be examined through conversation and critical reflection.
It also underscored the importance of dialogue among researchers, writers, publishers and artists in understanding the relationship between literature, identity and the continuing legacy of colonialism.