If you’ve spent time in African creative circles, you’ve probably heard the phrase: “Let’s create our own stories, our own way.” It’s a rallying cry that has echoed across conversations about film, comics, and animation.
The frustration behind it is that we’ve spent too long imitating or being influenced by foreign narratives, while neglecting the wealth of traditional and cultural stories around us.
One studio that has consistently pushed against that tide is Avandu Studios.
They’ve carved out a distinct identity in African comics, blending research, artistry, and cultural depth. If you’ve seen their earlier projects like Beast from Venus, Wana wa Magere or their contributions to international productions like Enkai (part of Kizazi Moto on Disney+), you know they’re serious about pushing African visual storytelling into the global space.
This year, they’ve released The Sankofan Files, an anthology of three short stories that showcase different shades of African myth, folklore, and imagination.
1. DCI Buzeki: Little Tears
This feels like a Kenyan procedural with a heavy supernatural touch. It follows a detective in the DCI (Directorate of Criminal Investigations) who handles cases that the regular police can't explain, the supernatural.
It’s grounded, absurd, atmospheric, and treats local urban legends with the seriousness of a crime thriller.
2. Warum
This is where the artistry gets experimental. It follows a young Taita man named Mwaloli who becomes a host for an ancestral force. The genius here is the visual execution: the spirits manifest in a way that mimics Makonde Ujamaa sculptures—those "Tree of Life" carvings where bodies are stacked and intertwined.
It’s a brilliant way to take a physical piece of heritage and turn it into a dynamic, supernatural superpower.
3. Man of Nyatiti
This one takes us to the shores of Lake Nam Lolwe (Lake Victoria). It’s a mythic tale about Hawi, a traveller who uses the Nyatiti, a traditional Luo instrument, to connect with the world around him. Mermaids show up in a story that feels like a tribute to how music was once seen as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds.
The Avandu Touch
What makes Avandu’s work stand out is that they design with intention:
Cultural Symbiosis:
You don’t feel like you’re looking at a foreign comic translated for a Kenyan audience. The influence of African sculpture and traditional motifs is baked into the character designs.
The book moves from the detective-noir feel of DCI Buzeki to the bright, legendary world of Man of Nyatiti.
Front cover for the comic book, DCI Buzeki.
Photo credit: Pool
Education Through
Art: They use the pages to explain the cultural artefacts they're referencing, like the Nyatiti or fertility dolls. They’re grounding the fantasy in real history.
Artistry and Creativity
The publication features a unique approach to character and creature design, strengthened by dynamic action sequences.
While the aesthetic remains consistent with Avandu Studio’s established style, this work represents a significant expansion of their creative portfolio.
Gripes
My primary critique concerns the lack of colour beyond the cover. While the black-and-white illustrations are strong, a fully coloured edition would be necessary to appreciate the depth and detail of the artworks.
The "Why"
The creator, Salim Busuru, had something to say about the "why" behind this:
"We truly believe that comics are the best way to beat the structures that keep African storytelling and expression at the level it is at now, and unable to grow creatively.
Where is our Lord of the Rings? Where is our Star Wars? Well, it has always been there in the words and wisdom of our ancestors, our fathers, our mothers, our warriors, our medicine men, our elders, our spirits, our demons and our dreams.
This anthology project is us working together with other creatives to bring to life African worlds. The fantasy, mythology and culture that we would like to see in movies, videogames and high-concept movies.
Kenyan Salim Busuru, illustrator and co-founder of Avandu.
Photo credit: Pool
The cost of doing those is too high. They require that we ask somebody to say yes and give us the money to fund these dreams and visions. Let us be the ones to make this change for us and for those who come after us. Let us permit ourselves to live in our own dreams."
By doing these 10-page anthology stories, the team at Avandu is bypassing the gatekeepers and putting out the wild ideas that would normally never see the light of day. It’s a move that’s both bold and exciting.
If you’re looking for accessible, unique African stories told in a way that feels like home, you should be looking at this. The Sankofan Magazine launches digitally on the 26th, with physical copies rolling out as well. You can find more info by looking up Avandu Vosi on their website and social media.
