This is part one in a three part series entitled Literary Latitudes: Fiction from Around the World. If you would like to register for all three sessions at a reduced rate of $50.00, please click here.

Country/Region: Nigeria
Genre: Memoir/African Studies

In this richly detailed memoir, renowned historian Toyin Falola takes readers into the heart of Yoruba culture through the lens of his own childhood and youth in colonial and post-independence Nigeria. Born in the 1950s, Falola chronicles his formative years with vivid storytelling that captures the rhythms of daily life, the wisdom of elders, and the profound social changes that swept through Nigeria during the transition from British colonial rule to independence. Through intimate portraits of family members, community leaders, and childhood friends, Falola illuminates the complexity and richness of Yoruba society—its traditions, values, spiritual beliefs, and social structures. His memoir serves as both personal testament and cultural documentation, offering readers authentic insights into African experiences often missing from Western narratives. With the eye of a trained historian and the heart of a master storyteller, Falola creates a compelling portrait of a world in transition while celebrating the enduring strength of African cultural identity.

Facilitator: Theo Alawonde (Master’s Candidate in Communications and OLLI Intern)