#4 Call for Contributions on Myths, Myth-Making and Mythological Imaginations
open call to contribution
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open call to contribution 〰️
🌊✨ We’re excited to invite artists, writers, storytellers, cultural thinkers and anyone who feels drawn to the theme on the theme of Myths, Myth-Making And Mythological Imaginations to contribute to the 4th edition of 6 ISLANDS Zine. Curious about what we mean with the theme?
[Scroll down for requirements and submission form]
When we hear the word “myth,” many of us may think of stories from Egyptian, Greek, or Nordic mythology. These narratives—often amplified by Western media and education—are presented as universal frameworks to explain why the world is as it is. But these myths may not resonate with the landscapes, histories, and spirits of the Caribbean. Here, we have our own powerful stories, like those of Kompa Nanzi/Anansi, Chupacabra, and La Jabless, which help us make sense of our surroundings and connect us to the lives and legacies of our ancestors.
For us, myths include a broad range of stories or narratives that are shared within community, from generation to generation. Think of for example, superstitions, spiritual tales, folklore, and bedtime stories. Anything that lives in that intangible space between reality and fiction—usually containing elements of the supernatural and/or the spiritual—, the stories that are excluded from the (colonial) archives but live on through generational storytelling. This also includes harmful myths that perpetuate oppression (more on this later).
Our call for contributions, Myths, Myth-Making And Mythological Imaginations, invites artists, writers, storytellers, cultural thinkers and anyone who feels drawn to the theme to contribute to dive into these rich Caribbean mythologies. This exploration includes the cultural myths we grew up with (as mentioned above), as well as lesser known stories such as the elusive stories of the indigenous Caquetio Arawaks who inhabited the ABC islands before the arrival of colonial powers. These stories live on as fragments—reminders of erased histories and the resilience of the Caribbean people.
Why focus on myths, myth-making, and mythological imaginations?
Because myths reside in that liminal space—a space of possibility. Therefore, myths serve as a tool for making sense of the world around us, offering insight into values and beliefs of a people. Storytelling becomes the medium through which these myths are spread and are passed down from generation to generation. It is through these stories that myths are birthed and reborn, allowing us to reflect on who we are, where we come from, and where we want to go. Our project not only centers cultural myths but also focuses on the process of (contemporary) myth-making itself—the act of world-building that lets us dream up new possibilities.
In examining Caribbean myths, we also engage with harmful myths that continue to shape our reality—myths around race, white supremacy, and notions of solidarity within a “united Dutch kingdom.” Questioning these myths allows us to confront and dismantle harmful narratives that sustain colonial and neocolonial oppression, and to (re)imagine a future where the people of these islands can thrive in cultural and political autonomy.
With this call for contributions, 6 ISLANDS hopes to collectively explore myths, myth-making, and imaginations in ways that bring past, present, and future into conversation. We invite submissions in all forms: poetry, essays, short stories, reflections, every day practices, rants, chants, dreams, critiques of harmful myths, photo’s, collages, archival discoveries, songs, cooking recipes and any other creative expression that can fit into a published zine.
What do Caribbean myths and imaginations mean to you? How have they shaped you, and what do you want them to be for future generations?
Let’s bring these stories to light, honoring the role of myth in our communities.
Submission requirements
Text Length: Max. 1500 words
Page Limit: Max. 5 pages (for any type of submission)
Page Size: A4
Name: You can use your real name, artist name, Instagram handle, website, or remain anonymous.
Language: Submissions are open to all languages.
For Digital or Online Work: Please provide URLs (with or without QR codes) and a brief description of the digital work.
Plain Text Submissions: If your submission is plain text (no specific formatting, images, or layout), please submit it as a text document (e.g., Word, Pages).
Formatted Submissions: If your submission includes custom fonts, images, or a specific layout, please submit it as a PDF or InDesign document.
Deadline: January 31st, 2025
ATTENTION!
After submitting the form, send your files via WeTransfer to info@6islandszine.com—go to https://wetransfer.com/ . Use the same email address you filled in submission form to send your file(s) via WeTransfer!