Anita Dafeta is a Nigerian creative director, curator and designer working at the intersection of African art, heritage, culture and storytelling. She launched Origho Journal as a way to reposition Africa beyond the prevalent colonial perspectives.

After working for Nigerian publications such as Exquisite Magazine, Anita launched her own magazine, ‘to extend an invitation for others all over the world to immerse, understand, learn and rectify preconceived notions.’ 

The last couple of years has brought a series of indie magazines our way from Africa: Random Photo Journal and W’ahu have been followed Origho Journal. We’re excited to hear from Anita about her magazine and the broader context of publishing in Africa.

What are you doing this Monday morning?
My morning starts with a prayer to Jesus. I take my faith very seriously, and this sets the tone for my day, giving me the confidence to tackle the challenges ahead.

For breakfast, I'm having some organic Nigerian orange juice and scrambled eggs with salt, scotch bonnet peppers, tomatoes, and onions. I might also have some yams with that. I catch up with emails afterwards, and then it's a quick call with the unofficial (but official) Origho Journal photographer, Adebayo Kehinde, and the graphic designer Emmanuel Awoyemi.

Describe your work environment
Today, and most of the week, I'm working from home in Lagos, Nigeria. I like being inspired while I work, so my work environment is adorned with colourful local Hausa mats, traditionally referred to as ‘Kati ne’ in the Hausa dialect, as well as some art and wooden/brass sculptures. I work best in an organic and authentic environment, no gimmicks.

For some strange reason, I cannot listen to music while I work, but during my two-hour break, it's Burna Boy, Tems, Brent Faiyaz or some nineties and Y2K R&B (Brandy, Janet, TLC, Beyonce). I might sneak in an episode (or two) of my latest series obsession, which is currently ‘His & Her’s’ on Netflix with Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal.

Which magazine do you first remember? 
Back then in Nigeria, there wasn't really any access to independent or international magazines the way there is now, and very few shops sold indie mags. I would visit friends and family who had recently travelled abroad and would be absolutely amazed by the issues of Vogue they brought back. I immediately became enthralled and inspired by Vogue; the models, the fashion, the creativity and the campaigns. It was everything.

Aside from yours, what’s your favourite magazine/zine?
I am really loving what the people at Random Photography Journal are doing. The way they use striking imagery to express the daily lives of African creatives is very inspiring. I think it is so important to have publications that reintroduce African life and the continent as a whole from an authentic yet elevated perspective.

What other piece of media would you recommend?
Social media has really become an integral part of our lives, hasn’t it? I tried (and failed) to wean myself off Instagram, but everything in moderation is key. I’m a big fan of Pinterest. Being a very visual person, there is so much to discover and be inspired by visually, and Pinterest just collates all that into an app. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Describe Origho Journal in three words
Authentic, Elevated, Powerful


Is the magazine aimed at local readers, or do you hope it shows off Nigeria and to the rest of the world?
There is so much misinformation and misrepresentation out there of what it means to be African in this day and age: how we live, the culture, the ancestry, heritage, and everything else in between. There is a need to present our culture to the world in a way that is devoid of outdated colonial stereotypes and instead presents from a place of renewed identity, freedom, and power. Origho Journal doesn’t present from a place of superiority but extends an invitation for others all over the world to immerse, understand, learn and rectify preconceived notions.


What inspired you to launch the magazine now? 
The young people of Nigeria and the rest of Africa are exceptionally talented and creative, and they are expressing themselves through art, music, and culture despite the very harsh and sometimes debilitating limitations imposed on them. There is such a vibrant culture of creative expression, particularly here in Nigeria, that it seems almost illegal to keep it confined to just the continent alone. Most creatives in the country are stifled not because they lack talent but because of a lack of exposure, support and encouragement.

That's why it is so important for Origho Journal to exist at such a time as this, giving a voice to those who have none and telling the authentic stories of the realities of the undiscovered but exceptionally talented African creative.

Tell us about the magazine scene in Nigeria
The magazine scene in Nigeria is growing but still very small. Fashion and lifestyle magazines such as Genevieve and Exquisite have been around for a while but they cater to a local Nigerian/African audience. There are a few shops that sell independent magazines but not at the scale that I feel would make a dent in the overall global market.

There are quite a few independent magazines like Random Photography Journal and Native Mag which focuses on Afrobeats culture, however rising costs of living and harsh fluctuating economic conditions deter focus in this area. Simply put, who is going to make an indie magazine when they don't know where their next meal is coming from?

Highlight one story that sums up how your magazine works, and explain why you selected it 
The ‘Hairitage of Home’ series is a project that literally led me to discover the very talented photographer Adebayo Samuel Kehinde. Inspired by his mother, a Nigerian hairstylist, the photography series exists to challenge outdated stereotypes associated with African natural hair, showing striking imagery depicting traditional braided and threaded hairstyles. It is so important that new narratives and imagery are circulated in the world that depict aspects of African culture (in this case, African hair) as desirable, revered, and powerful rather than just viewed from a vastly colonial lens.

What has publishing issue one taught you that may be helpful to you for issue two, or anybody else planning to make their own magazine?
It may sound cliché, but ‘just start’—I should trademark this slogan. There is a whole world out there that is waiting to see your unique perspective and hear your wonderful stories. So tell the stories, write the thing. 

For the first issue of Origho Journal, we focused primarily on art and photography projects, but subsequent issues will be more diverse and include creative projects in art, design, music, photography, architecture, and even food. I am particularly excited to explore the undiscovered creative realms in music and food.

What are you most looking forward to this coming week?
My birthday is coming up soon, so birthday prep is in order. Very exciting.

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