Restful anthology (print)

What is the Restful anthology?

Restful is a collection of essays, interviews and photography projects exploring how Nigerians are navigating stress and cultivating respite amidst this country's crinkum-crankum and higi haga. It is a make-shift temple to compassion, gentleness and responsibility in a country that rarely makes room for softness. 

What’s inside?

10 essays with photos, 4 book reflections with photos, 3 interviews with photos, 3 playlists, a prayer, a podcast excerpt, an original photography project, a manifesto, and a poem.

Editor-in-Chief & Creative/Art Director: Immaculata Abba.

Copy editor: Pamela Naaki Tetteh.

Sub editors: Blessing Mam Tarfa, Zenas Ubere.

Contributor(s): Immaculata Abba, Adetutu Adediran, Daniel Adeyemo, Oluwakemi Agbato, Grace Awodi, Abiola Babarinde, Oyindamola Depo-Oyedokun, Yvonne Etinosa, Ujah Godwin, Stella Inabo, Olayiwola Ojo, Gbope Onigbanjo, Hauwa Saleh, Rachel Seidu, Ozoz Sokoh, Pamela Naaki Tetteh, Wana Udobang.

Cover illustration: Amina Gimba.

Layout Designer: Radhika Valjee.

Publisher: Studio Styles.

Funding support from the Goethe-Institut Nigeria (2024 Support and Connect grant). 

"The Restful anthology is a delightful read that surprised, soothed and educated me equally; Nigerians reflecting on themselves, their society and their place in that society. It is especially relevant as a balm to the unending litany of distress that has dominated the Nigerian experience in recent years."

-Nnamdi Ibeanusi (2024 CBC Short Story Prize longlist, 2015 Awele Creative Trust Short Story Prize)

Who is it for?

• Africans breathing deeply through the grind.
• Diaspora folks craving the textures of home beyond headlines.
• Anyone studying the politics and/or aesthetics of work, rest and healing.
• The tired, the beauty-seekers, the people holding on.

Libraries where you can find a copy:

• Lagos- The Goethe-Institut Nigeria library
• Ibadan- New Culture Studios
• London- The Senate House Library
• Oxford- St. Antony's Library

Specs:

• 143 pages
• Silk matte cover
• Full colour
• A5 size: 210 x 148 mm
• ISBN 978-978-776-340-7
• First printing, first edition, 2025
• Printed in the UK
• Currently delivering to Nigeria and UK, other locations tbc.