Somiari-Stewart and the Art of Reviving African Storytelling

Folalumi  Alaran

For generations, storytelling has served as the heartbeat of African culture—a way to pass on values, preserve history, and shape identity. But in today’s fast-changing world, this tradition is under threat. Linda Somiari-Stewart, a veteran journalist turned modern-day griot, is working to reverse that trend. Through her powerful books Woyingi: God Is a Woman and The Legend of Tari-Ere: The Picky Virgin, she not only breathes new life into African folklore but also challenges long-held ideas about spirituality, gender, and the Divine.

In Woyingi, Somiari-Stewart explores the often-overlooked sacred feminine, drawing from the spiritual traditions of the Ijaw people of Nigeria’s Niger Delta and ancient Kemetic philosophies. At the heart of the book is Woyingi—a female deity credited with creating the earth. For the author, this isn’t just a story, but a personal journey.

“Woyingi represents the life-giving force that nurtures and sustains existence,” Somiari-Stewart explains. “This book is about restoring the balance between masculine and feminine energies, both in our spirituality and in our lives.”

The book opens with Ayoba, a young woman influenced by the stories of her grandmother, Opu-Ayo, who taught her to revere the divine feminine. In a vivid dream sequence, Ayoba encounters a powerful, unseen presence in a forest shrine—a symbolic awakening to her spiritual heritage. This sets the tone for a narrative that blends mythology, spirituality, and cultural critique.

By highlighting forgotten goddesses and sacred feminine figures, the author reframes the idea of divinity as inclusive rather than patriarchal. She argues that society suffers from an imbalance—one that favours control, structure, and aggression over nurturing, intuition, and emotional wisdom.

“Our society is skewed toward masculine principles,” she says. “Reclaiming the feminine isn’t about competition, but about restoring harmony.”

Woyingi does more than tell a story; it invites readers to reimagine the Divine as something greater than gender, doctrine, or dogma. Through philosophical reflections and cultural insights, the book traces sacred feminine symbols across time and civilisations—from the Niger Delta to ancient Egypt and beyond.

The message is clear: the sacred feminine has always existed. It has simply been overlooked.

Somiari-Stewart uses the book to urge readers to recognise the Divine in everyday life, and to embrace compassion, balance, and ancestral wisdom. In doing so, Woyingi becomes both a spiritual guide and a cultural statement.

Somiari-Stewart’s path to publication was not without struggle. Adapting oral tales into written form required creative innovation, and her exploration of feminine divinity met with scepticism—even concern.

“During the writing process, I fell critically ill several times,” she recalls. “Friends and family feared I was treading dangerous ground. But I felt a calling I couldn’t ignore.”

Despite the pushback, she remained focused. “There’s a hunger for authentic African stories,” she says. “By sharing our myths and philosophies, we preserve our heritage and inspire others.”

If Woyingi is a spiritual inquiry, The Legend of Tari-Ere is a folkloric gem. Based on a tale passed down by her grandmother, the novel follows Tari-Ere—a beautiful, strong-willed young woman known for rejecting all her suitors. Her life changes dramatically when she crosses paths with a water god, thrusting her into a mystical world far beyond human understanding.

“Tari-Ere’s story speaks to the choices we make, the wisdom we inherit, and the forces beyond our control,” Somiari-Stewart says. “It’s about autonomy, but also about humility and learning from those who came before us.”

Set in the lush, watery landscape of the Niger Delta, the book is rich in imagery and local tradition. Somiari-Stewart blends folklore with themes of female strength, community, and spiritual destiny. The result is a narrative that feels both timeless and contemporary.

A passage from the book captures the tone:

“Tari-Ere was as striking as the wildflowers that grew around her family’s home… Her beauty a natural part of Ayakoromo’s splendour. Tall, elegant, and with skin that gleamed like polished bronze, she was a legend in her own right.”

Through both books, Somiari-Stewart invites readers to rediscover the power of African storytelling—not just as entertainment, but as a means of preserving knowledge, expressing identity, and reshaping worldview.

“African stories deserve a central place in world literature,” she insists. “Our legends carry universal truths—about humanity, love, courage, and spirituality—that transcend borders.”

Her work is a call to action: to reconnect with our roots, to value indigenous wisdom, and to celebrate the richness of African heritage.

In an age where Western narratives dominate mainstream literature and media, Somiari-Stewart’s books stand as powerful counter-narratives. They offer spiritual depth, cultural affirmation, and a fresh perspective on the feminine experience in African societies.

Whether through the mystical journey of Ayoba in Woyingi or the bold adventure of Tari-Ere in the Delta creeks, Somiari-Stewart gives voice to stories long relegated to the margins. And in doing so, she joins a growing movement of African writers who are reclaiming the narrative and reshaping the future.

Both Woyingi: God Is a Woman and The Legend of Tari-Ere: The Picky Virgin are more than books. They are vessels of memory, spirit, and resistance—beckoning readers to listen, reflect, and remember.

• Alaran writes from Abuja