African Fantasy Inspired by Kenyan Warrior Legends, Shiko Nguru’s Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask Does Not Disappoint
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- 06 Mar 2023
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Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask by Kenyan author and content creator Shiko Nguru was published in October 2022 by Lantana Publishing. Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask is a children’s fantasy book based on East African mythology.
Nguru used to live in the United States and recently moved back to Kenya with her children. She shares her journey as a mother on at beautifully curated Instagram page @shikonguru. Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask is her first book and the opening story in theThe Intasimi Warriors series. Odwar vs. the Shadow Queen is the second novel in the series and is set for publication in October 2023.
Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask is a middle grade fantasy book, for children between 9 and 13. It tells the story of a girl named Mwikali who comes from a long line Kenyan warriors called Intasimi. When she awakens to her power, she goes head to head with a dark force that threatens the survival of her world. Along for the ride and assisting her are her friends Odwar and Xirsi.
In an interview, Nguru said she was inspired to write a book when she observed a gap in her daughter’s education:
It started because I was trying to homeschool my daughter and wanted to teach her about Kenyan history but couldn’t find any stories that could capture her interest and keep her excited about learning about our history and culture . . . I decided I’m going to fill that gap. I’m going to write something myself and that’s how this all started.
Nguru shines a light on legendary Kenyan warriors such as Gassara Winn, Cierume, Luanda Magere, and Syokimau, making the book as an important step towards introducing children to the captivating world of Kenya African folklore and mythology. Read More…
