Jagua Nana by Cyprian Ekwensi

I’ve been getting to know Jagua. She’s a 45 year old woman who’s determined, generous and still so irresistible despite her age.

There’s something about reading African classics that feels like visiting an elder’s house. Stories told with wisdom, colour, and just the right amount of scandal. Jagua Nana by Cyprian Ekwensi gave me exactly that.

Set in 1960s Lagos, the novel follows Jagua, an ageing yet still captivating woman determined to live life on her own terms. She’s a nightclub singer, a lover of flashy clothes and city life, and someone who refuses to let society box her in. But beyond the glamour, what struck me most was how much pain and longing Jagua carries. She wants love. She wants belonging. And she’s constantly trying to hold onto her independence while navigating a world that often punishes women for just that.

I found Jagua to be such a bold, complicated character and honestly, she reminded me of so many women I’ve known: fearless yet deeply misunderstood, unapologetically feminine, but also burdened with societal expectations. Ekwensi doesn’t write her as a heroine or a villain, he writes her as real. Flawed, vibrant, raw. There’s nothing more powerful than a woman who’s hungry, aware of her magic and isn’t afraid to use it!

Reading this book also gave me a vivid picture of Lagos during that era. The language, the culture, the politics, the music. It felt like a snapshot of Nigeria in transition, where traditional values clash with modern desires.

As someone who’s passionate about hearing women’s stories, especially those that don’t fit into neat boxes, I appreciated Jagua Nana for what it was: messy, defiant, and human. If you love literature that explores identity, power, and the price of freedom (especially for women in patriarchal societies), this is one to add to your list.

With love,
Deborah x