African history and culture are steeped in oral traditions and storytelling, but as tales are passed down through generations, their details often evolve. The transmission of these stories over centuries has led to variations—embellishments have been added, details have been lost, and regional differences have emerged. As Halloween approaches, we thought it’d be a great opportunity to re-enact some of these timeless tales. 

The NATIVE invites you to participate in our horror short story competition, NATIVE Horror Stories! We want to hear your most terrifying ideas, inspired by the rich and diverse heritage of Nigerian myths, tales, legends, traditions and more. We challenge writers to engage in research-driven exploration of these folklores and traditions, unearthing lesser-known details, interpreting the historical contexts, and crafting fresh narratives that infuse horror into these timeless tales we’ve been told all our lives.  

JUDGING

Final selections will be made by Nigerian fiction writer, Eloghosa Osunde.

Eloghosa Osunde is a multidisciplinary artist. Author of critically acclaimed Vagabonds! (2022) and Necessary Fiction (forthcoming 2025), they are the winner of MoAD’s African Literary Award 2023), the Plimpton Prize for Fiction (2021) and an ASME Award for Fiction (2022). Their debut novel was widely lauded: a New Yorker Best Book of The Year, a New York Times Editors Choice, a NoName Book Club Pick, a finalist for a host of notable awards; and their work has been published by Paris Review, Granta, Georgia Review, Atmos, Lonely Planet, Best American Short Stories among others.

Make your submissions here.

Featured Image Credits/[The NATIVE]