The Nommo Awards are literary honors given by The African Speculative Fiction Society. These awards celebrate works of speculative fiction written by Africans. Speculative fiction includes science fiction, fantasy, stories about magic and traditional beliefs, alternative histories, horror, and other imaginative stories that may not fit into other categories.
The awards have four categories: Best Novel, Novella, Short Story, and Graphic Novel. The awards are named after the Nommo, which are ancestral spirits from Dogon cosmology. These spirits can take many forms, such as appearing as fish that walk on their tails.
The African Speculative Fiction Society
The African Speculative Fiction Society (ASFS) supports science fiction and fantasy created by Africans. Members include writers, editors, artists, and publishers. Founded on August 15, 2016, with 58 original members, the ASFS and its Nommo Awards serve as an organization for African science fiction and fantasy professionals.
Members of the ASFS nominate and vote for the Nommo Awards, which recognize excellence in African speculative fiction.
“The ASFS will create a space where writers, readers, and scholars can share information, connect with one another, and help protect the interests of the group,” said Chinelo Onwualu, co-founder of Omenana.
Logo design
The Nommo Awards logo and ASFS logos were created in 2016 by Stephen Embleton. The logo shows the Nommo from Dogon cosmology, which are twin figures that can appear as fish walking on their tails.
The Nommo are spirit beings from myths (sometimes called gods) honored by the Dogon people of Mali. The word "Nommos" comes from a Dogon term meaning "to make one drink." These beings are often described as creatures that can live both in water and on land, with both male and female characteristics, and resembling fish. Art from the Dogon people often shows the Nommo with human-like upper bodies, legs, and feet, and fish-like lower bodies and tails. The Nommo are also known as "Masters of the Water," "the Monitors," and "the Teachers." The word "Nommo" can refer to a single being or the group as a whole. In this article, "Nommo" is used for an individual, and "Nommos" refers to the group of beings.
Winners and short list nominees
The Novel Award is also called The Ilube Nommo Award for the Best Speculative Fiction Novel written by an African author. It is named after and sponsored by Tom Ilube.