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‘Sensuous Knowledge is a probing, challenging and imaginative book that dares position black feminism as the prism through which we can all better experience and understand the world. I read it slowly, savouring it as intellectual soul food, while relish- ing the richness of Minna Salami’s ideas and the persuasiveness of her writing. This book is an important addition to the feminist canon in that it shifts our world view and introduces new and exciting possibilities for ways of being that feel liberating.’ Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other ‘In this provocative and vital book, Minna Salami, in elegant prose and lucid arguments, centers the black female body and experience at the heart of global feminist discourse. She confronts the central privilege of modern thought, which is that men represent the default human experience. Inclusive, rigorous in process and thought, she has created a strong and important testament, the map perhaps, for now and the future.’ Chris Abani, author of The Secret History of Las Vegas and The Virgin of the Flames ‘A timely, refreshing, nourishing and captivating read. In the era of ever-widening division and cultural strife, Sensuous Knowledge urges us to rethink power, sisterhood, beauty, Identity and more. A crucial read which through the sharing of African-centered approaches alleviate political and social frustrations. On these pages there really is something to learn for everyone.’ Ayishat Akanbi, writer and cultural commentator ‘Sensuous Knowledge is an opulent symphony of progressive ideas, vast and astonishing as it is detailed and specific, from one who has lived multiple lives and realities. Drawing from Audre Lorde to Socrates, Swami Satyananda Saraswati to Nipsey Hustle, Orunmila to Gloria Steinem and so many more, Minna Salami mixes her lived experience into a deeply considered and tempered tide that swells with wisdom that challenges, defines and redefines various parts of our unbalanced and gendered world. It is an emotive text that emanates with love, which, by looking at who we have been and how we became, begs us to search ourselves for who we might yet become.’ Inua Ellams, poet and playwright ‘This book is an eloquent mélange of ideas and disciplines; part deep, intersectional analysis of structural power, part metaphysical journey into a genius the West hasn’t given language to. An essen- tial read for a new decade.’ Johny Pitts, author of Afropean: Notes from Black Europe Sensuous Knowledge ABOUT THE AUTHOR MINNA SALAMI is a Nigerian, Finnish, and Swedish author, blogger, and social critic and an international keynote speaker. She is the founder of the multiple award-winning blog MsAfropolitan, which connects feminism with critical reflections on contempo- rary culture from an Africa-centered perspective. Listed by Elle magazine as “one of twelve women changing the world” alongside Angelina Jolie and Michelle Obama, Minna has presented talks on feminism, liberation, decolonization, sexuality, African studies, and popular culture to audiences at the European Parliament, the Oxford Union, Yale University, TEDx, the Singularity University at NASA, and UN Women. She is a contributor to The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and the Royal Society of the Arts and is a columnist for the Guardian Nigeria. She lives in London. Sensuous Knowledge A BLACK FEMINIST APPROACH FOR EVERYONE Minna Salami Sensuous Knowledge: A Black Feminist Approach for Everyone was first published in the United Kingdom 2020 by Zed Books Ltd, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London SE11 5RR, UK. www.zedbooks.net Copyright © Minna Salami 2020 The right of Minna Salami to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 Cover design by Alice Marwick Cover photos © Left – Asiko; Centre – Nadyah Aissa; Right – Ewelina Stechnij, Jacket Alan Howerd, London Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of Zed Books Ltd. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-1-78699-526-1 hb ISBN 978-1-78699-527-8 pdf ISBN 978-1-78699-528-5 epub ISBN 978-1-78699-529-2 mobi For my mother and father