I’m so much looking forward to participating in the WorldEthicForum in Pontresina, Switzerland, this month with an inspiring group of “Firekeepers” such as “Auma Obama (sociologist, matroness), Vandana Shiva (Alternative Nobel Prize winner, matroness), and the philosopher/authors Bayo Akomolafe (Narrative Philosophy) and Andreas Weber (“Enlivenment”) whom I’m excited to lead a 4-part workshop series exploring…
Interview in Evolve Magazine
evolve: You speak about sensuous knowledge. What do you mean by that? Minna Salami: The word “sensuous” is a unique word in the English language, which was coined by the poet John Milton in order to describe poetry. He coined the word sensuous as a quality that describes the integration of mind, body and spirit. He thought that…
What is Sensuous Knowledge? A visual exploration
I spoke to the Institute of Arts and Ideas about the key explorations in Sensuous Knowledge. In line with the book’s argument of bringing together worlds of knowing, the feature blends words, visuals, and sound. I’m blessed to share this. Enjoy!
What liberating effects does writing have?
I spoke to the Institute of Arts and Ideas about the below key themes in Sensuous Knowledge. What is sensuous knowledge compared to euro-patriarchal knowledge? How can black feminism provide a critique of euro-patriarchal knowledge? How is joy inherently political for black women, and how does it arise? Can euro-patriarchal knowledge be changed within the…
A Black Feminist Approach to Life
I had a fun book event at Columbia University last week titled “A Black Feminist Approach to Life” where I spoke to the lovely Abigail Ony Nwaohuocha about Sensuous Knowledge and SO much more. You can catch the talk on Vimeo or watch it below.
A better way to talk about oppression is as a ‘crisis of relationship’
This blog is the English version of an OpEd I wrote for EL PAÍS published 21.12.20. The original version in Spanish can be read here. Let’s begin by saying that we are living through a time of peak oppression. This fact can’t be denied. After the disastrous events of 2020, even those who may be…
Sensuous Knowledge featured on Al Jazeera
Earlier this month I spoke with Malika Bilal, host of Al Jazeera’s podcast The Take, about the journeys that led to my writing Sensuous Knowledge. I hope it gives you a feeling of the book. Below is the feature as published on Al Jazeera. Why Minna Salami says Black feminist ideology is for everyone The…
Sensuous Knowledge Masterclass with Africa Writes X Arvon At Home
I’m looking forward to teaching a nonfiction masterclass at Arvon At Home in collaboration with AfricaWrites. We’ll be applying a rounded and imaginative approach to the journey. Please see below for more information via Africa Writes. Book your seat via Arvon At Home. I hope to see some of you there. Sensuous Knowledge Masterclass with…
Sensuous Knowledge references and recommended reading
“The only thing that can save the world is the reclaiming of awareness of the world. That’s what poetry does.” So said the poet Allen Ginsberg, and he was right. In addition to poetry, our awareness of the world is expanded by the arts (music, visual art, sculpting etc.) which are a kind of poetry….
Exousiance – a series of essays on love and power
I’m producing a series of essays on love and power for Emerge, a platform highlighting ways of thinking that are sowing the seeds of a new civilisation. The series are centred around Exousiance, a concept I coined in Sensuous Knowledge with the purpose to reimagine power. Exousiance interweaves the nonhuman natural world, feminist theory, mythopoetic…
Sensuous Knowledge audiobook narrated by Robin Miles
I’m thrilled to share that actor Robin Miles is the narrator of Sensuous Knowledge. Robin is a multiple-award-winning, grammy finalist whose impressive list of book performances include N.K. Jemisin’s “Broken Earth” trilogy, Aminatta Forna’s “Happiness”, Chimamanda Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun”, several bell hooks books, Maaza Mengiste’s “The Shadow King” and Nnedi Okorafor’s “Binti”….
New questions for the world, old pleas for black feminism
A poem by the Somali-British poet, Warsan Shire, goes, “later that nighti held an atlas in my lapran my fingers across the whole worldand whisperedwhere does it hurt?it answeredeverywhereeverywhereeverywhere.” Her words piercingly describe the events of the past few weeks and months. The world hurts everywhere – every region, every nation, every river, every home…
Sensuous Knowledge – launching a book in a pandemic
It is almost exactly one week since the World Health organisation declared a coronavirus pandemic. It’s as though we are living in a World War. This feeling hit me strongly when Nigeria closed its borders to UK flights, which was well overdue, but nevertheless left me with a piercing sense of estrangement. Certainly, these are…
What quality do we need for feminist change in the future?
Happy New Year! I’m especially excited about two things in 2020. Firstly, the 10th anniversary of my blog on 16 March. Then three days later, on 19 March, the UK book launch for Sensuous Knowledge, my debut collection of interwoven essays that centre womanhood, African Studies, black feminism, philosophy, personal narrative, myth, art and culture…
Sensuous Knowledge: A Black Feminist Approach for Everyone – Cover Reveal
In Sensuous Knowledge, Minna Salami draws on Africa-centric, feminist-first and artistic traditions to help us rediscover inclusive and invigorating ways of experiencing the world afresh.
A book about beauty, power, gender, globalisation, science and sexuality that is rooted in black feminism…
A book about beauty, power, gender, globalisation, science and sexuality that is rooted in black and African feminism… Does that sound like a book you would like to read? Because I am so excited to share the news that I am writing precisely such a book! It is titled Sensuous Knowledge: A Radical Black Feminist…