The Noma Award was the idea of Shoichi Noma, the former president of a Japanese publishing company Kodanisha. Mr. Noma created an endowment in 1979 which awarded indigenous African writers $3,000 for excellence in three categories: academic scholarly writing, children's literature, and literature creative writing. Any language (African, European, or Asian) is acceptable. Referees are African scholars, book experts, and representatives from international book companies. Subject specialists also provide opinions. Presently, Savako Noma (daughter) is maintaining the endowment which currently provides a $10,000 award.
Contact Mary Jay, African Books Collective Ltd., The Jam Factory, 27 Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HU United Kingdom
ADULT AWARDS
CHILDREN'S BOOKS AWARDS
2000 - Committee: Walter Bgoya, Ch. [Luli Callinicos, Kole Omotoso, Ato Quayson]
1999 - Committee: Walter Bgoya, Ch. [Thandika Mkandawire, Kole Omotoseo, Mary Jay]
Samb, D. (1998). L'interpretation des reves dans la region Senegambienne. Suivi de la clef des songes de
Honorable Mention
Krog, A. (1998). Country of my skull. Johannesburg, South Africa: Random House South Africa.
1998 - Committee: Walter Bgoya, Ch. [Thandika Mkandawire, Kole Omotoso, Kay Raseroka, Mary Jay]
Winner
Nyaba, P. A. (1997). Politics of liberation in South Sudan: An insider's view. Kampala, Uganda: Fountain Publishers.
Honorable Mention
Hountondji, P. (1997). Combat pour le sens: Un itinéraire africain. Cotonou, Benin: Les Editions du Flamboyant.
Zeleza, P. T. (1997). Manufacturing African Studies and Crises. Dakar, Senegal: CODESRIA.
Phiri, I.A. (1997). Women, presbyterianism and patriarchy: Religious experience of Chewa women in central Malawi.
1997 - Committee: Walter Bgoya, Ch. [ Adewale Maja-Pearce, Kay Raseroka, Thandika Mkandawire, Mary Jay]
Winner
Boahen, A. A. (1996). Mfantsipim and the making of Ghana: A centenary history, 1876-1976. Accra, Ghana: Sankofa.
Honorable Mention
Souto, A.N. de (1996). Bbliográfico para o Estudante de História de Moçambique. Maputo:
Barris, K. (1996). The jailer's book. Groote Schuur, South Africa: Kagiso Publishers.
Vladislavic, I. (1995). Propaganda by monuments and other stories. Cape Town, South Africa: David Philip Publishers.
Wylie, D. (1996) The road out. Plumstead, South Africa: Snailpress.
1996 - Committee:
Winner
Toure, K. (1995). Destins paralleles: Roman. Abidjan, Ivory Coast: Nouvelles Editions Ivoiriennes.
Honorable Mention
Bimponn-Buta, S.Y. (1995). The law of interpretation in Ghana. Exposition & critique. Accra, Ghana: Advanced Legal Publications.
Laband, J. (1995). Rope of sand. The rise and fall of the Zulu Kingdom in the nineteenth century. Jeppestown, South Africa:
Mda, Z. (1995) Ways of dying. Cape Town, South Africa: David Philip Publishers.
Watson, S. (1995). Presence of the earth. New poems. Cape Town, South Africa: David Philip Publishers.
1995 - Committee: Walter Bgoya, Ch. [Julian Behrstock, Adwale Maja-Pearce, Fatou Sow, Hans Zell]
Winner
Van Niekerk, M. (1994). Triomf. Pretoria, South Africa: Queillerie Publishers.
Honorable Mention
Afrika, T. (1994). Maqabane (poetry). Bellville, South Africa: Mayibuye Books.
Kokwaro, J.O. (1994). Flowering plant families of East Africa. Nairobi, Kenya: East African Educational Publishers.
Miles, E. (1994). Lifeline out of Africa. The art of Ernest Mancoba. Cape Town, South Africa: Human & Rousseau.
Oluyede, P.A.O. (1994). Nigerian conveyancing practice, drafting and precedents. Ibadan, Nigeria: Heinemann Education Books.
1994 - Committee: Abiola Irele, Ch. [Walter Bgoya, Julian Behrstock, Fatou Sow, Hans Zell]
Winner
Zeleza, P.T. (1993). A modern economic history of Africa. Dakar, Senegal: Council for the Development of Social Science
Honorable Mention
Jenkins, E. (1993). Children of the sun. Selected writers and themes in South African children's literature. Johannesburg,
Jones, S. (1993). Assaulting childhood. Children's experiences of migrancy and hostel life in South
Kukah, M.H. (1993). Religion, politics, and power in northern Nigeria. Ibadan, Nigeria: Spectrum Books.
1993 - Committee: Abiola Irele, Ch. [Walter Bgoya, Julian Behrstock, Fatou Sow, Hans Zell]
Winner
Serote, M.W. (1992). The world express. Cape Town, South Africa: David Philip.
Honorable Mention
Comunity Publishing. (1992). Building whole communities. Harare, Zimbabwe: Community Publishing Process.
Couzens, T. (1992). Tramp royal. The true story of Trader Horn. Johannesburg, South Africa: Raven Press.
Moyo, J.N. (1992). Voting for democracy. A study of electoral politics in Zimbabwe. Harare, Zimbabwe: University of
Oguibe, O. (1992). A gathering fear (poems). Lagos, Nigeria: Kraft Books.
Straker, G. et al. (1992). Faces in the revolution. The psychological effects of violence on township youth
1992 - Committee:
Winners
Khodja, S. (1991). A comme algeriennes. Alger, Algeria: Enterprise Nationale du Livre.
Mungoshi, C. (1991). One day long ago: More stories from a Shona childhood. Harare, Zimbabwe: Baobab Books.
Honorable Mention
Baskin, J. (1991). Striking back. A history of COSATU. Johannesburg, South Africa: Raven Press.
Horn, P. (1991). Poems, 1964-1989. Johannesburg, South Africa: Raven Press.
Reynolds, P. & Cousins, C.C. (1991). Lwaano Lwanyika -- Tonga book of the earth. Harare, Zimbabwe: Baobab Books.
van Heerden, E. (1991). Casspirs en Campari's. Cape Town, South Africa: Tafelberg Publishers.
1991 - Committee:
Winner
Osundare, N. (1990). Waiting laughters. Lagos, Nigeria: Malthouse Press.
Honorable Mention
Chirikure, C. (1989). Rukuvhute (Shona poetry). Harare,Zimbabwe: College Press.
Fafowora, O. (1990). Pressure groups and foreign pollicy. Ibadan, Nigereian: Heinemann.
Magona, S. (1990). To my children's children. Cape Town, South Africa: David Philip.
Marechera, D. (1990). The black insider. Harare, Zimbabwe: Baobab Books.
1990 - Committee:
Winner
Wilson, F. & Ramphele, M. (1989). Uprooting poverty: The South African challenge. Cape Town, South Africa: David Philip.
Honorable Mention
Chinyonda, S. (1989). Harvest of thorns. Harare, Zimbabwe: Baobab Books.
Peires, J. (1989). The dead will arise. Nongqawuse and the Great Xhosa Cattle-killing Movement of 1856-7. Johannesburg,
Ojaide, T. (1989). The endless song. Lagos, Nigeria: Malthouse Press.
Owolabi, K. (1989) Ijinle itupale ede Yoruba: Fonetuki ati fonoloji (vol. 1). Ibadan, Nigeria: Onibonoje Press & Book Industries.
Sall, A. L. (1989). Locataire du neant. Poemes. Dakar, Senegal: Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines.
1989 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch. [ Samir Amin, Julian Behrstock, Abiola Irele, Hans Zell]
Winner
Hove, C. (1988). Bones. Harare, Zimbabwe: Baobab Books
Honorable Mention
Kabira, W.M. (1988). Gikuyu oral literature. Nairobi, Kenya: Heinemann.
Medenge, S. (1988). The political history of Munhumutapa, 1400-1902. Harare: Zimbabwe Publishing House.
Obong, E. (1988). Garden house. Ibadan, Nigeria: New Horn Press.
Omotoso, K. (1988). Just before dawn. Ibadan, Nigeria: Spectrum Books Ltd.
Osundare, N. (1988). Moonsongs. Ibadan, Nigeria: Spectrum Books Ltd.
1988 - Committee: Eldren Jones, Ch.
Winner
Callinicos, L. (1987). Working life: Factories, townships, and popular culture on the Rand, 1886-1940.
1987- Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Winner
Kipre, P. (1986). Ville de Cote d'Ivoire, 1893-1940. Abidjan, Ivory Coast: Les Nouvelles Editions.
Honorable Mention
Badoe, E.A., Archampon, E.Q., & Jaja, M.O.A. (1986). Principles and practices of surgery including
1986 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Winner
Jacinto, A. (1985). Tarrafal de Santiago. Luanda, Angola: Instituto Nacional do Livro e do Disco.
Honorable Mention
Bouali, S-A. (1985). Les deux grands siege de Tlemcen. Algiers, Algeria: Enterprise Nationale du Livre.
Hove, C. (1985). Red hills of home. Gweru, Zimbabwe: Mambo Press.
Osundare, N. (1985). Voices: Poems. Ibadan, Nigeria: Evans Brothers Publishers.
Patel, E. (1985). The fragments in the sun. Johannesburg, South Africa: Skotaville Publishers.
Zimunya, M. (1985). Country dawns and city lights. Harare, Zimbabwe: Longman.
1985 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Winner
Nanga, B. (1984). La trahison de Marianne. Dakar, Senegal: Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines.
Honorable Mention
Acquah, K.E. (1984). The man who died: Poems, 1974-1979. Accra, Ghana: Asempa Publishers.
Chipasula, F. (1984). O earth, wait for me. Johannesburg, South Africa: Ravan Press.
Mothabi, M. (1984). The theory and practice of black resistance to apartheid. Johnnesburg, South Africa:
Sigogo, N.S. (1984). Umhlaba Umangele. Gweru, Zimbabwe: Mambo Press.
1984 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Winners
Ndebele, N. (1983). Fools and other stories. Johannesburg, South Africa: Ravan Press.
Wanjau, G. wa (1983). Mwandiki wa Mau Mau ithaamirio-ini. Nairobi, Kenya: Heinemann Educational Books.
1983 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Winner
Amissah, A.N.E. (1982). Criminal procedure in Ghana. Accra, Ghana: Sedco Publishing.
Honorable Mention
Hove, C. 1982. Up in arms. Harare, Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Publishing House.
Sall, I. (1982). Les routiers de chimers. Dakar, Senegal: Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines.
Ajuwon, B. (1981). Iremoje ere isipa ode. Ibadan, Nigerian: University Press.
Zimunya, M. (1982). Kingfisher, jikinya and other poems. Harare, Zimbabwe: Longman.
1982 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Winner
Asare, M. (1981). The brassman's secret. Accra, Ghana: Educational Press.
1981 - Committee: Edred Jones, Ch.
Winner
Adi, F.C. (1979). Health education for the community. Enugu, Nigeria : Nwamife Publishers Ltd.
Honorable Mention
Amrani, D. (1980). Jours couleur de soleil. Alger, Algeria: Societe Nationale d'Edition et de Diffusion.
Mungoshi, C. (1980). Inongova njakenjake. Salisbury, Zimbabwe: Longman Publishers.
Ruganda, J. (1980). The floods: A play. Nairobi, Kenya: East African Publishing House.
Towa, M. (1979). L'idee d'une philsophie negro-africaine. Yaounde, Cameroon: Editions CLE.
Toweet, T. (1979). A study of Kalenjin linguistics. Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya Literature Bureau.
1980 - Committee:
Winner
Ba, M. (1979). Un si longue lettre. Dakar, Senegal: Les Nouvelles Editions Africaines.
* Bibliography *
[The Lilly Library, Indiana University is the depository for Noma Award papers.]
CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARDS
2000 -
1999 - no award
1998 - no award
1997 - no award
1996 - no award
1995 - Committee: Walter Bgoya, Ch. [Julian Behrstock, Adwale Maja-Pearce, Fatou Sow, Hans Zell]
Robson, J. (1994). Don't panic, mechanic. Cape Town, South Africa: Tafelberg Publishers.
1994 - Committee: Abiola Irele, Ch. [Walter Bgoya, Julian Behrstock, Fatou Sow, Hans Zell]
Fourie, C. (1993). Die Wit Vinder. Cape Town, South Africa: Tafelberg Publishers.
Tadjo, V. (1993). Mamy Wata et le monstre. Abidjan, Ivory Coast: Nouvelles Editions Ivoiriennes.
1993 - Committee: Abiola Irele, Ch. [Walter Bgoya, Julian Behrstock, Fatou Sow, Hans Zell]
Mattera, D. (1992). The five magic pebbles. Johannesburg, South Africa: Skotaville.
Yankah, A.H.T. (1992). I am River Densu. Accra, Ghana: Afram Publications.
1992 - Committee:
Mungoshi, C. (1991). One day long ago. More stories from a Shona childhood.
Harare, Zimbabwe: Baobab Books.
1991 -
Mhlophe, Gcina. (1990). Queen of the Tortoises. Braamfontein, South Africa:
Skotaville Publishers.
1990 - Committee:
Mungoshi, C. (1989). Stories from a Shona childhood. Harare, Zimbabwe: Baobab
Books.
1989 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch. [Samir Amin, Julian Behrstock, Abiola Irele, Hans Zell]
Pam, F. (1988). Amina the milkmaid. Lagos, Nigeria: Longman.
Seed, J. (1988). Ntombi's song. Johannesburg, South Africa: Ravan Press.
1988 - no award
1987 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Anon. (1986). Two dogs and freedom: Children of the townships speak out.
Braamfontein, South Africa: Ravan Press.
1986 - no award
1985 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Asare, M. (1984). Chipo and the bird on the hill: A tale of ancient Zimbabwe.
Harare, Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Publishing House.
1984 - no award
1983 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Thiogo, Ngugi wa. (1982). Njamba nene na mbaathi I mathagu. Nairobi, Kenya:
Heinemann.
1982 - Committee: Eldred Jones, Ch.
Asare, M. (1981). The brassman's secret. Accra, Ghana: Educational
Press.
1981 - no award
1980 - Committee:
Owusu-Nimoh, M. (1977). The walking calabash and other stories. Tema, Ghana:
Ghana Pub. Corp. * Bibliography *
CT: Greenwood Press.
[works
by Asare and Mungoshi discussed]
(1994).
Winners of 1994 Noma Award. Bookbird, 32 (Winter): 58-9.
(1994). The
Noma Award 1993. The School Librarian, 42 (Feb.): 2.
(1991). The Noma
Award: Children's category. The School Librarian, 39 (Nov.): 126.