Mind of Malaka

Busy Parents, Rejoice! Here Are Some Cost-Efficient Ways to Stay Organized

Posted on March 13, 2023
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Written by Elena Stewart Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. But it can also be overwhelming and chaotic. There are so many joys to be found in raising a family, but there can also be moments of chaos and…

Motherhood

What I Hope to Teach My Daughters About Desire

Posted on February 14, 2023
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

A journalist sent me a message last week, expressing interest in my work on Adventures From the Bedrooms of African Women. When it comes to this project, I have been the force behind the scenes, rather than the face out front for many myriad reasons.…

Musings

It’s Only Luxury For Me in 2023!

Posted on January 4, 2023
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Happy new year, dearest Readers and Lurkers! I know I haven't been consistent with keeping up with Mind of Malaka in 2022 - and to be honest that's not likely to change in 2023 if the circumstances that kept me away from this beloved space…

Motherhood

18 Years a Mother

Posted on December 16, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

I thought we were going to die. But before we did, I figured I'd get some orange juice to quench my thirst and hopefully quell the raging headache pulsing through the vein in the left side of my face. Orange juice has no cranial healing…

Musings

What’s In A Name? An Update on My 3rd Great Grandfather, Nelson Dunn

Posted on December 2, 2022
by Malaka
with 1 Comment

It was a balmy night in Nairobi; one where the leaves rustled melodically in the gentle breeze and the stars peeked through the veil of cloud cover to wink at we mere mortals below. Our working group had convened to have a final dinner together…

Musings

Happiness Is Alchemy. These Are the Elements I Have Been Using to Construct It.

Posted on November 14, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

A friend of mine has created The Happy Company (THC), a lifestyle brand that is "founded on the agenda to spread happyness". They prefer to remain anonymous (if such a thing is possible anymore) so that people will associate with and support the agenda, rather…

Musings

We Did Not Appropriate Your English. It Was Whipped Into Us.

Posted on September 29, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Mr. Tei loved to whip children. At least, that was the reputation he had earned on the primary school block when I arrived in 1986. Only ‘Brah’ Sammy came in at a close second with a love for attaching cane to tender Class 3 flesh.…

Motherhood

Separation Anxiety: Coming to Terms With Being Out of View From My Children

Posted on August 24, 2022
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

When you are preparing to bring a child into this world for the first time, there is no shortage of advice doled out to new parents. "Don't hold the baby too much, or she'll get spoiled!""Baby won't sleep? Let her cry it out through the…

Motherhood

“New African Mum” Parenting is Taking Your Daughters to a Burlesque Show

Posted on July 29, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Aya, my sweet and surly second born, turned 16 this month. It's difficult to believe considering that I just enrolled her in pre-school a few days ago. Nevertheless that's what the calendar says: My baby is officially in the first phases of young adulthood. Her…

Madness

My Face Has Become A Meme For “Lazy Single Motherhood.” Chisos.

Posted on June 29, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

Ping!!I glanced down at my phone and saw a new message alert. It was my brother! I was beyond excited. Last night I was already floating on a high from the success of our family photo shoot and NOW the ancestors had blessed me with…