On April 24, 2024, five months after the shortlist was revealed, the top three winners of the Happy Noisemakers Prize for Storytelling were announced. 

 

The prize is said to be ‘a launchpad to amplify bright new voices, who find new ways to make sense of uniquely African realities, while contributing to the diversification of African stories globally.’ The mission is to encourage undiscovered African writers by amplifying and rewarding their amazing work.

According to the founder of the Happy Noisemaker, Jola Ayeye, they received thousands of entries from across the continent for the first edition of te storytelling prize, and both young and old writers made submissions. It was a big task to narrow it down to the three stories. 

 

The Happy Noisemaker Prize for Storytelling Winners are:

• Third Place: Good Fortune by Michelle Iruobe

This story is said to be an eerie spooky, story about a young woman and her grandmother who messes around with peoples destinies. 

 

 

• Second Place: Solitude by Jesutomison Ipinmoye

It is a story about a young woman with a heavy burden. Her family has made covenants with the earth, and she has to make the ultimate sacrifice.

 

 

 

• First Place and the Happy Noisemaker Storytelling Prize Winner: The Matriachy by  Edeh Nneoma

The story is said to subvert the world we live in today. In this world, women make all the decisions and have all the power, and a young man and his wife have to face the forces that try to make their home unhappy. 

 

• For the special category organized by Busha, Okoh Angel Amaka, for ‘To The Past‘. 

You can watch the announcement video on the Happy Noisemaker Instagram page. 

 

 The storytellers who made it to the very first Happy Noisemaker Prize for Storytelling shortlist were:

• Edeh Nneoma – The Matriarchy
• Ipinmoye Jesutomisin – Solitude
• Iruobe Michelle – Good Fortune
• Onadeko Akinwade – As the lights disappeared from your eyes
• Yaqub Olayinka – The Grand Funeral of Baba Alamu

 

The Happy Noisemaker Prize for Storytelling will be an annual competition to encourage African writers to keep telling their stories. Be sure to check out the guidelines and keep an eye out for the next call for submissions. You should also check out T.J. Benson’s advice on writing a great short story.