Musings Archives - Mind of Malaka

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…

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…

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…

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.…

Sexting, Hook-Ups and Consent. Exploring Desire from a Pan-African Perspective

Posted on June 14, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

The good people at Ottar Magazine invited me to write an article about desire earlier this year. This article appears in Swedish, but if you're not up on your Nordic languages, I've got the English version for you here. @bougiefeminist, this post is just for…

The Trials of a Once Cheerful Giver

Posted on February 8, 2022
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;…

Soon Leaving Africa Voluntarily & Expeditiously: Part 2

Posted on February 3, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

This story continues from Part 1 “I am Captain McGinty. I will be responsible for your arrival to your various checkpoints within the Federation of Industrialized Nations - should you survive the journey. These two men are my associates: Mr. Wong and Mr. Jenkins. They…

We Have Become Our Aunties

Posted on January 21, 2022
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

My mother was a founding member of AAAG (the African-American Association of Ghana) in the late 80s/early 90s. They were the group responsible for bringing and hosting several African-American celebrities and influencers -before the term was coined- in Accra. Many of the members were entrepreneurs,…

I Have Lots of New Goals For 2022. How I Plan to Pave My Road to Success With A Series of Robust “Hell Nawls”

Posted on January 10, 2022
by Malaka
with 2 Comments

You've heard of the Law of Attraction, right? It's the idea that both we and our thoughts are made of pure energy and that like energies will attract each other. So if you're ill, for instance, you can attract healing energies to your body if…

Tattoos, Soca and Roots. 2021 May Have Been One of My Happiest Years Yet

Posted on December 28, 2021
by Malaka
with 0 Comments

2021 was an incredible year. Now, I am willing to concede that any block of time sparkles - blindingly - in comparison to the hellscape that was 2020, however in real and quantifiable terms I can confidently say that this year was one of the…