The Black Fantastic

When one thinks of “high fantasy,” images of fairies, knights, dragons, and castles fill our heads from years of programming the notion that these stories are an important element of universal mythologies, yet people of African descent are completely absent. Epic tales of mystical journeys, daring adventures, and hidden magical truths do not seem to be for Black people, if you adhere to popular media’s presentations of these worlds.

Truth be told, some African Americans are actually descended from kings, queens and warriors.  The cultural histories of the African Diaspora and its magicians and sorcerers are just as powerful as any Gandalf or Merlin. Black people have their very own dwarves, goblins, giants and mystical creatures that come directly from their cultural heritage. Stories such as David Anthony Durham’s A cacia books, N.K. Jemisin’s I nheritance Trilogy , and Charles Saunders’ Imaro novels are proof positive that people of the African Diaspora are not limited to a quest to Middle Earth where they find themselves extinct. The Black Fantastic is part of the alchemy of the black imagination. Often referred to as “sword and soul,” black bards are weaving truly magical stories from the thrones of fantastically black kingdoms and empires.