On Black Sisters Street

On Black Sisters’ Street is a novel by Nigerian author Chika Unigwe.[1][2][3] It was originally written in English, but was first published in a Dutch translation by Hans van Riemsdijk as Fata Morgana, in 2007.[4] It was first published in English in 2009 (Jonathan Cape, London) as On Black Sisters' Street.[5][6] The novel is about African prostitutes living and working in Belgium. On Black Sisters' Street won the 2012 Nigeria Prize for Literature,[7] Africa's largest literary prize at $100,000.[8][9]

On Black Sisters Street
First edition (Dutch)
AuthorChika Unigwe
Original titleFata Morgana
LanguageEnglish
GenreLiterary fiction
PublisherMeulenhoff / Manteau
Publication date
26 April 2011
Publication placeNigeria
Media typePrint (hardback)
Pages272
ISBN978-1-4000-6833-3
Preceded byThe Phoenix 
Followed byThe Night Dancer 

Plot summary

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The story is set on Zwartezusterstraat which is the "Black Sisters' Street" in Antwerp, Belgium. Here four migrant sex-workers try to make enough money to pay back the Nigerian pimp named Dele for the fee he claims for transporting them from Nigeria to Belgium.[10]

References

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  1. "On Black Sisters Street: A Novel". Ohio University Press • Swallow Press. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  2. Eberstadt, Fernanda (29 April 2011). "Tales From the Global Sex Trade". The New York Times via NYTimes.com.
  3. "ON BLACK SISTERS STREET | Kirkus Reviews" via www.kirkusreviews.com.
  4. Tunca, Daria. "About Chika Unigwe". The Chika Unigwe Bibliography. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  5. Tunca, Daria. "Primary sources". The Chika Unigwe Bibliography. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  6. Bivan, Nathaniel (13 August 2016). "NLNG shortlist: What you should know about the authors". Daily Trust. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  7. "From NLNG's Treasury .. Chika Unigwe wins $100,000 NIG Prize for Literature". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  8. Nehru Odeh (1 November 2012). "Chika Unigwe Wins Nigeria Prize for Literature". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  9. "Chike Unigwe wins the prestigious NLNG Literary Prize for On Black Sisters' Street". Wasafiri. 2 November 2012. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015.
  10. Barr, Nicola (10 September 2010). "On Black Sisters' Street by Chika Unigwe". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 April 2023.