We are pleased to announce the shortlist for the Dirge to Harmattan Poetry Contest, a special call for Nigerian poets to reflect on the changing climate and the fading memory of harmattan. Dirge to Harmattan contest invited poets to mourn the disappearance of the familiar cold winds, dusty skies, and quiet mornings that once defined the harmattan season. Poets responded to the theme by reflecting on climate change, ecological loss, memory, and the transformation of our environment. We received many thoughtful submissions from across Nigeria, and we are deeply grateful to every poet who trusted us with their work. After careful reading and evaluation, the judges have selected the following poems for the shortlist:
Shortlisted Poets
- It’s all Hush from Far North by Miracle Alabi
- Harmattan Breeze by Maxwell Chimaobi Ngwu
- self-portrait as a futuristic poet in love by Muheez Olawale
- A Piece of Ourselves Otiegbe, Ikenna Charles
- Dust Still Rises Here by Christian Emecheta
- Searching for Sahara by Chidera Udochukwu-Nduka
- The Last Green by Meme David
- Dread is the air I inhale by Are Gold Hepzibah
- Elegy for the Lost Frost by Rachael Ajisafe
- Harmattan Romance by Promise Michael
- I Sing Lost Dust by Ndubuisi Orji
- A Casket Full of Harmattan by Maduka Destiny Nnanna
- Dirge to Harmattan by Ahonsi Courage
These poems stood out for their originality, emotional depth, and their ability to capture the tension between memory and environmental change. The winner and two honorary mentions will be announced soon.
Shortlisted poems will be included in a poetry chapbook to be published soon. We congratulate the shortlisted poets and thank all participants for helping us reflect on our environment and what harmattan used to be.
