Liberia Celebrates Literary Milestone -As Vamba Sheriff Launches The Emperor’s Son

By: Julius Konton

Liberia’s literary community marked a significant cultural milestone with the official launch of The Emperor’s Son, a historical novel by acclaimed Liberian author Vamba Sheriff, at the main auditorium of the University of Liberia on Capitol Hill.

The high-profile ceremony drew government officials, academics, writers, students, and cultural enthusiasts, underscoring the growing national and international interest in African historical fiction.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Minister of Finance and Development Planning Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Managing Director of the National Port Authority Sekou Dukuly, and Minister of State Without Portfolio Hadja Mamaka Bility, alongside senior members of Liberia’s academic and literary circles.

The event highlighted Liberia’s enduring intellectual heritage and reaffirmed the University of Liberia’s role since its founding in 1862 as a cornerstone of scholarship, cultural expression, and national dialogue.

A Homecoming for Writers and Scholars

Serving as co-launcher, Minister Ngafuan himself a poet, economist, and alumnus of the University of Liberia described the occasion as deeply personal.

“This was a homecoming for me,” Ngafuan said. “Meeting both veteran and emerging Liberian writers in one space was inspiring.

It was an exciting experience to join fellow compatriots in celebrating The Emperor’s Son, a powerful literary work by Vamba Sheriff.”

Liberia has produced a growing number of writers whose works engage African history and identity, with literary participation steadily increasing.

According to UNESCO data, African-authored fiction has seen a more than 30 percent rise in global publication and translation over the past decade, reflecting renewed interest in African narratives told from African perspectives.

A Journey Through 19th-Century West Africa

The Emperor’s Son is a sweeping historical epic set in 19th-century West Africa, a period marked by imperial expansion, internal political transformation, and resistance to European colonialism.

The novel follows Zaiwulo, a young boy sent to Musadu, a historic center of Islamic learning, to study under the respected scholar Talata Haidarah.

Zaiwulo’s quiet scholarly life is dramatically altered as he is drawn into the heart of the Wasulu Empire, eventually becoming a soldier in the army of Emperor Samori Touré, one of Africa’s most formidable resistance leaders.

Often referred to by historians as the “Black Napoleon,” Samori Touré led sustained resistance against French colonial forces from the 1870s until his capture in 1898.

Historians estimate that Samori Touré commanded an army of over 30,000 soldiers at the height of his power, employing advanced military organization and regional alliances, an era vividly brought to life in Sheriff’s narrative.

Themes of Power, Identity, and Resistance

Through Zaiwulo’s journey, the novel explores enduring themes of identity, loyalty, power, and belonging, as well as the tension between tradition and modernity.

The story unfolds against a backdrop of war, scholarship, spirituality, and political intrigue, reflecting the complexity of African societies prior to and during colonial encroachment.

The novel also stands out for its strong female characters, including Ma-Sona, Massah, Sarankenyi, and Naminata, who play pivotal roles in shaping the narrative.

Their presence challenges conventional historical portrayals by highlighting women’s influence in education, leadership, and resistance movements.

A Contribution to African Historical Fiction

Literary critics describe The Emperor’s Son as richly immersive and fast-paced, blending historical accuracy with compelling storytelling.

By reimagining West African history through African eyes, the book contributes to a growing body of work that seeks to reclaim and reinterpret the continent’s past.

The launch comes at a time when African literature is gaining renewed global recognition.

The African publishing industry is estimated to be worth over US$7 billion, with West African writers increasingly featured at international book fairs, literary festivals, and university curricula.

A Cultural Milestone for Liberia

The successful launch of The Emperor’s Son signals not only a personal achievement for Vamba Sheriff but also a broader cultural resurgence in Liberia.