We Are the Water People Audiobook By Troy Onyango cover art

We Are the Water People

A Short Story

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We Are the Water People

By: Troy Onyango
Narrated by: Anita Kavuu-Ng'ang'a, Shiro Kihagi, Oheri Otobo
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From critically acclaimed author Troy Onyango comes a dark, suspenseful tale of spirits bearing witness to a crime that rocks an island community, based on the Luo legend of the water people.

When fishermen on Nam Lolwe (commonly known as Lake Victoria) return with the body of a young boy found inside the sack, a close-knit island is thrown into mourning, and they all suspect foul play in the death of the child. But who could have committed such a terrible crime, and why? To discover the truth, the islanders must rely on the water spirits beneath the lake’s surface - the only souls who serve as witnesses to the vile act.

©2021 Troy Onyango (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC. Black Creators Horror Scary Heartfelt Short Stories

About the Creator

Troy Onyango is a writer and editor from Kisumu, Kenya. His work has been published in Prairie Schooner, Doek!, Wasafiri, Isele Magazine, Johannesburg Review of Books, AFREADA, Nairobi Noir, Dgëku Magazine, Caine Prize Anthology (Redemption Song & Other Stories), and Transition among others. The winner of the inaugural Nyanza Literary Festival Prize and first runner-up in the Black Letter Media Competition, he has also been shortlisted for the AKO Caine Prize, the Short Story Day Africa Prize, the Brittle Paper Awards, and nominated for the Pushcart Prize. An alumnus of the Caine Prize Workshop, Miles Morland Workshop, Jalada Workshop, Goethe Workshop and the Kwani-SLS Workshop, he has also been a writer-in-residence at the Ebedi Writers Residency in Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Laws degree and completed his MA in Creative Writing with distinction from the University of East Anglia, where he was a recipient of the Miles Morland Foundation Scholarship. He is currently studying towards an MA in African Studies at SOAS University of London. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of Lolwe.

All stars
Most relevant  
I had to listen to this story twice before I understood it. But, it was worth the listen.

Totally Unexpected

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I loved everything about listening to this, except that I didn't want it to end! The style and lyrical narration was quite enjoyable.

Very enjoyable

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This was a well written story. At times it was rough because of the realism in certain situations and feelings, but it was still artfully done. It wasn't necessarily explicit or vulgar, just unblemished and raw. This is what made it relatable or at least visual despite the occasional subtlety or vaugueness . I did not expect the ending but i do not think it was lacking in anyway.

unexpected twist and very good

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The ending will change the entire village!! Without giving anything away, all I can say is Girls Rule!!

I enjoyed the entire book!

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I loved the way it was told, all the different viewpoints. I wouldn’t say the ending was unexpected but the journey was worth taking. I don’t know why this is classified as horror. It’s not. It’s a typical mystery in an unusual place with interesting cultural insight and some ghosts. The only horror I suppose is the crime.

Interesting story

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Stories of mostly pain. Of how the water constantly brings bad news . . . Does it not? The water hides important secrets and provides only mysteries in these stories. Historically, the water has only brought white devils that have stolen the people and whom brought disease and threats . . . this collection of stories are good, but no less heartbreaking.

4 stars

Strong stories

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I really enjoyed listening to this story and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves tales of gods, monsters, water spirits, superstition, and justice.

This beautifully told story combines perfectly with the voice talents of the performers as they take the listener on a short but powerful journey.

Also, I can’t believe this was FREE of charge with my Audible subscription. I will definitely be looking for more work by Onyango to enjoy.

Disclaimer: I thought this was about mermaids. It is NOT about mermaids BUT it is a really good story and a great short read/listen for you to enjoy while you decide what you are going to read/listen to next.

What a gem! This author is one to watch!

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The narrators where awesome. The story was challenging to follow a few times. It gave excellent folklore feelings.

Great narration

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I enjoyed this short story. Would of liked for it to have been longer. Enjoyed how it gave the perspective of 3 different individuals. I'd recommend 👌

Great Story

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I listened to this several months after downloading so I didn't remember anything about it before I began to listen. It is a beautifully told story of a death of a young boy in a remote African fishing village on Lake Victoria. I visited Uganda and traveled on the lake to visit a couple of remote fishing villages. Thanks to that experience, the setting of the story, the accents of the villagers, and the isolation of the village feels absolutely real. All the narrators, including the water spirits, bring a different perspective, but in the end only the three "night" women have the truest view of the people of the village and of the perpetrator of the crime. I plan to read more stories by this author.

Beautiful Story told in True African Accents

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