The Program:

 

ABUJA, NIGERIA: On Tuesday, April 22, 2008, the publisher of Sungai Books, Dr. Ugorji O. Ugorji, took delivery of the first printed copies of the new journal in Igbo studies, known as Mbari: The International Journal of Igbo Studies. Published in paperback with the gloss full-color cover for which Sungai's books have been known, the work constitutes a bold and historic step in the study of Ndiigbo in all of its ramifications.

A peer reviewed scholarly journal published twice a year, Mbari is the voice of scholars on all aspects of Igbo life, including topics related to the Igbo Diaspora worldwide. Its interdisciplinary approach offers readers a critical view of the socioeconomic, political, and cultural life of the Igbo people in Africa and the African Diaspora. It emphasizes original research, fresh conceptualization, and new view points on a variety of topics relating to aspects of the Igbo language, history, literature, politics, philosophy, folklore, culture, economy, and the role of the Igbo in the broader African Diaspora.

Reacting to the release of the first issue of Mbari, Dr. Ugorji, who serves as the Managing Editor of the journal, said the journal is only the latest manifestation of Sungai's corporate mission in publishing. "Unlike most publishers, ours is an interest more in footprints than in profits. We've taken a risk in Mbari without a single subscription yet because we consider its significance as invaluable," he said. Dr. Ugorji also said that given the Pan-African leanings of Sungai, he would welcome other scholarly journals for other African groups to find a home in the publishing house. Any set of scholars thinking of replicating Mbari for their groups may contact him at Ugorji@Talldrums.com, he said.

Mbari is ably edited by its Founding Editor, Dr. Chima Korieh, a professor of History at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the Editor's Introductory Note of the first issue, Korieh says "Mbari is an attempt to give voice to those who know what to say and want to say it." Korieh goes on to explain that the name of the journal represents its guiding philosophy. "The Mbari house is an art form practiced by the Igbo, as a supplication for prosperity and offering thanksgiving to Ala," Korieh says. "We build this Mbari as a gift to Igbo scholarship, a supplication to the gods for a bumper harvest, and as a celebration of the Igbo people.

The Editorial Board of Mbari has an assemblage of what Professor Obi Nwakanma has described as "a wide array of some of the Igbo best." Nwakanma goes on to say that the first issue of Mbari is "beautiful. The subjects surveyed are spot on!" All manuscripts for future issues maybe sent to Dr. Chima J. Korieh, Department of History, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881. Tel: (414) 288-3563.
Fax: (414) 288-5099. Email: chima.korieh@marquette.edu

Other reactions have started coming in to the Princeton offices of Sungai. Mr. Agustin Ugo Uzodike, a former Secretary General of the World Igbo Congress, described the emergence of Mbari as one of the most significant contributions from the Igbo Diaspora in the ongoing efforts by the Igbo Diaspora to impact Igbo history and culture positively. "Ugorji's commitment to advancing Igbo and African intellectual discourse has been evident for over a decade. Mbari is great news and great accomplishment; I commend Dr. Korieh and others who have made this possible," Uzodike said. Also reacting from Owerri, Mr. Emma Agu, the former Managing Director of the Champion Group of Newspapers, said "This is a great offering to our people and to our heritage." And Professor Ndu Njoku, who heads the Center for Igbo Studies at Imo State University, says he can not wait to introduce the journal to the thousands of students who take history courses at the University each semester. "This marks the beginning of a new day in Igbo studies. I am elated," Njoku said.

Mbari is published and distributed by Sungai Books, a Tall Drums company. The issues of the journal will soon be available on Talldrums.com. Subscription rates for 2008 issues are: (Individual: $35.00). (Institution: $60.00). Single copy ($30.00). Add $7.00 per issue for mailing. Subscriptions maybe sent to SUNGAI BOOKS, P. O. Box 3295, Princeton, New Jersey 08543. The publisher's telephone number is (609) 851-9484; Fax: (609) 218 5437. The website is Talldrums.com.