KWENU! Our culture, our future

Editorial Policy

(in progress)

There is really no strict standard in pen-pushing; probably, this is why everyone is a writer of sorts. KWENU does not intend to impose any strict editorial policies, but there must be a method in marketplaces of ideas. We encourage everyone to evolve specific styles and to feel free to experiment with other styles whenever possible. Of course, imitation remains a form of flattery. However, we intend to establish an editorial policy that will guide writers and make publication less of a problem.

CORRECT NAMES

Writers are encouraged to use the correct names of people. For example, the leader of the Biafran Revolution is General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, not Ojukwu; the first Nigerian military leader was General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, not Ironsi.

TITLES

We encourage the use of African titles such as Otunba, Sarkin, Maazi, Ogbuefi, Dim, etc. While we would prefer not to use "Chief" -- except where the person is a chief of police or chief of staff, we will accept the use for those who use the title, deserved or not. Earned and honorary degrees can be used. Also, such terms as "His Excellency, His Eminence, Her Highness, His Royal Highness, His Majesty," etc. are also allowed. However, writers are expected not to flood their write-ups with repetitive use of such titles that only detract from the flow of their work.

VOWEL INTENSIVENESS:

Many African languages are written as they are pronounced; KWENU therefore allows and encourages the use of vowel-intensive terms. In Igbo, for example, the following are used:

Daalu, Deeme                 (not Dalu, Deme)

Maazi                              (not Mazi)

Ndiigbo                           (not Ndigbo or Nd'Igbo)

nwaanyi                         (not nwanyi)

In the same breadth, note that double consonants are not allowed in many African languages.

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS:

KWENU does not use the term "tribe" to describe any African nation or ethnic group, no matter how small; it is considered derogatory. However, the term can be applied in such expressions as "the political tribe of...."

Gender-neutral terms are preferred, except when referring to a specific gender.

PLURALS

KWENU does not accept the use of "s" to form plural of African lexical items. Therefore, no African nation shall be referred to as such. For example, such terms as "Binis, Efiks,  Ewes, Hausas,  Hutus,  Ibibios, Igbos, Ijaws, Mandingos,  Yorubas, Zulus," etc. are unacceptable. If you do not know how to form the plural in a particular language, say Hausawa or Ndiigbo, use the singular term in the plural sense; after all, there is no such thing as the "Englishes"!

POETIC LICENSE

Writers are encouraged to infuse and to popularize African terms in their writings. For example, the uses of "echetere m, echeteghi m"  for "etc" will be allowed. KWENU webmaster uses "omenkasaiba" of "okaasaiba" for "webmaster"... since there is nothing like "webmistress" or "webmadam." We also encourage such expressions as "dogon turenchi" (bombastic English" and "shakara" (braggadocio).  We encourage greetings in African languages; for example,  "Déémé dèèmè," "Sannu" "Bawo ni," etc. Often, English equivalents are required for the benefit of non-native speakers of the language. Of course, we definitely encourage the use of African terms for God.

GRAMMAR

At KWENU, we do edit works sent to us, and we publish them as we deem proper. However, we encourage our writers to proofread their work so as to avoid unnecessary editorial encroachment. Our writers are specifically encouraged to revisit subject-verb agreements, split infinitives, and to make sure that all spellings are crosschecked.

PUNCTUATIONS

All COMMAS and PERIODS/FULL STOP must be placed inside quotes; only semicolons are allowed outside quotes.

SPELLING

KWENU accepts both English and American spellings. The important thing here is consistency. Wherever we have doubts, we will apply the American spelling. Feel free to tone African words, where necessary.

LENGTH:

Submissions must not be more than FOUR pages, or we would delay publication in order to ascertain how best to proceed.

ATTENTION: Igbo: The correct representation

No more Igbos, Ijaws, Hausas, or Yorubas, etc.... no Englishes either!

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