JALA

Journal of the African Literature Association

The ALA announces new editor starting January, 2026.

After almost six years, Moradewun Adejunmobi has stepped down from her position as the JALA Editor in Chief at the end of December 2025. Under Professor Adejunmobi's dedicated stewardship the journal has steadily enhanced its reputation and its reach, and the Executive Council wishes to express its profound gratitude to her for her outstanding service.
We are pleased to announce that the ALA Executive Council has voted to confirm Kunle George as the new Editor in Chief for JALA, effective January 1 2026, and he has accepted this appointment. Please join us in congratulating Professor George and welcoming him to the position. For any questions regarding the journal, you may contact him using the email address below:

ALA Members have access to all issues of JALA.

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The Journal of The African Literature Association (JALA), founded in 2006, is the flagship journal of the African Literature Association (ALA). Its mission is to publish highest quality peer-reviewed articles on the oral, literary, and related arts of Africa and the African Diaspora. Published essays reflect the range of primary materials and critical methodologies that are of key interest to the field . The journal also publishes book reviews review essays, interviews, and forums.

JALA is published by Taylor & Francis, a publisher of quality peer-reviewed journals under the Routledge and Taylor & Francis imprints.

Click here for more information about current and past issues of JALA.
(Access to PDFs of articles is restricted to ALA members and JALA subscribers.)

Editorial Team

Editor in Chief
Moradewun Adejunmobi, University of California, Davis

Board of Editors
Odile Cazenave - Boston University, USA
Gaurav Desai - University of Michigan, USA
Akachi Ezeigbo - Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Nigeria
Grace Musila - University of Witswatersrand, South Africa
Evan Mwangi - Northwestern University, USA
Ghirmai Negash - Ohio University, USA
Phyllis Taoua - University of Arizona, USA

Carli Coetzee
Consulting Editor

Ayo Coly, Dartmouth College, USA
Book & Media Review Editor

Nathan Suhr-Sytsma - Emory University, USA
Book & Media Review Editor

Editorial Advisory Board
Adélékè Adéẹ̀kọ́ - Ohio State University, USA
Susan Arndt - University of Bayreuth, Germany
Wendy Belcher - Princeton University, USA
Carole Boyce Davis - Cornell University, USA
Kandioura Drame, University of Virginia, USA
Olakunle George, Brown University, USA
Anthonia Kalu - University of California, Riverside, USA
Cilas Kemedjio - University of Rochester, USA
Renée Larrier - Rutgers University, USA
Luís Madureira - University of Wisconsin Madison, USA
Janis Mayes - Syracuse University, USA
Joseph McLaren - Professor Emeritus, Hofstra University, USA
Juliana Nfah-Abbenyi - North Carolina State University, USA
Christopher Odhiambo - Moi University, Kenya
Eustace Palmer - Georgia College, USA
Wumi Raji - Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Pamela Smith - University of Nebraska, Omaha, USA
Wangui wa Goro - Sidensi, Ivory Coast