Join The Common Press for an evening with writer and photographer Ricci Shryock, in conversation with Bissau-Guinean writer and journalist Jamila Pereira, exploring the extraordinary stories of the women who helped win Guinea-Bissau's independence.
At just thirteen years old, Joana Gomes was drawn into Guinea-Bissau's brutal struggle against Portuguese colonial rule following the murder of her father. She became part of a remarkable movement of women who served as fighters, organisers, nurses and political leaders, playing a vital role in securing their country's freedom. Drawing on nearly two decades of reporting in West Africa and first-hand testimony, Ricci Shryock's The Moon Will Not Burn Us brings these overlooked stories to life, placing women at the centre of one of Africa's longest liberation wars.
In conversation with Jamila Pereira, Ricci will discuss the women behind the independence movement, the importance of preserving their stories and how we remember the people who shape history.
About the speakers
Ricci Shryock is a writer and photographer whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The New York Times, among other publications. Originally from the American Midwest, she moved to Dakar in her twenties and has spent nearly two decades reporting on West African culture, politics and history. She lives in Dakar with her husband and two daughters.
Jamila Pereira is an award-nominated Bissau-Guinean culture journalist, poet and writer with a background in International Relations. Her work explores the intersections of literature and activism, drawing on her experiences as the daughter of immigrants and her expertise in migration and gender-based violence. Fluent in four languages, including Portuguese, she uses poetry and prose to challenge silences and explore questions of identity, belonging and displacement.
Praise for the book
'Part love story, part historical corrective, this is a deeply personal story told from the heart that peels away the traditional macho narrative of liberation struggles to reveal the women who made them possible.' — David Pilling, Africa Editor, Financial Times
'A tale that deserves to be known far beyond West Africa.' — Ari Shapiro, journalist and bestselling author of The Best Strangers in the World The Moon Will Not Burn Us is published by Cassava Republic Press.