Abdulsalam Suleman ; A Voice of Reflection, A Keeper of Culture
Abdulsalam Adinoi Suleman is a Nigerian author, storyteller, and cultural activist whose work reclaims identity and memory through the written word. With a deep reverence for tradition and lived experience, his storytelling bridges the past and present preserving what is often overlooked or forgotten. His novella, “Salaam: A Retrospective”, explores identity, introspection, and cultural continuity, establishing him as a literary voice committed to both craft and consciousness. Through prose and advocacy, Abdulsalam speaks not just to the reader, but to the collective soul of a people.
Let’s Start from the Beginning ; what Sparked Your Journey into Storytelling?
First of all, thank you for the opportunity I’m very grateful. So what sparked my journey into storytelling, especially for the type of stories I write, I think It’s more of our identity, something cultural , like connecting with the roots and telling our stories as Africans. So it’s coming from my personal experiences, the people I see around, there’s just something about me that doesn’t want to shut up or just let those things pass by. It’s about making this problems that we face known and talking about it and challenging those things we’ve normalized, that’s actually not creating any room for progress. Basically what I’m trying to say essentially is that I like to challenge power from the other side, I find myself asking questions like “if it’s this way, why isn’t it that way?”.
For me, storytelling is how I feel like I can get my answers because I feel like when you go for events or when you talk about a concept, especially in interviews, you don’t get the mic all the time,so for me it’s like I do not want to stop there, I would rather document and talk about it and keep records of sort, write memoirs, historical fictions write compelling narratives that can actually tackle our problems. So that is storytelling for me. Asides all these, I’ve liked stories and storytelling since I was a child, I remember how I used to sit with elders just to get a hold of what has happened back then and how they were able to find their way around things and I’ve gotten myself quite deep in it that I really want to tell stories too, especially about what we are as Africans.
Your Novella “Salaam: A Retrospective” is both Personal and Layered. What does the Title Mean to You?
Literally and symbolically. Since making such a book would spark a kind of segregation, which I'm really unconventional about, The title was given by a brother, I had changed titles severally, I just couldn't pick something. I allowed someone else feel what I was feeling about the book, it's a Retrospective first off, and it explores issues of religion, shared humanity and culture, for me it's like, I'm not sidelining any beliefs, you can do what you want to do, you're free, so salaam Islamically means "peace" so it's like saying, I come In peace, but you have to connect with my story.
Your Work Bridges Culture and Memory, how Intentional is that when You Write?
Its like a styling to me, it’s what I feel like I’m good at. Talking about culture, talking about history, it’s just the way that I’ve figured I can convey my words better. Whether fiction or non fiction, I just don’t like the idea of putting down identity at the end of the day you know, like suppressing our identity. I have so much interest in humans and their stories, and the African heritage is really something that speaks up about who we are as Africans before anything, culture is the first thing always.
How do You Approach Storytelling — do You Start with a Message, a Memory, or a Character?
I first get a hold of the issues, it starts with a message from within, especially when I'm at the scene or my mood just tells me to, then somehow, I get to play a narrative in my head that preaches about the concept, I try to see someone else in that picture, I get the character easily, from past experiences, or I just somehow know someone who's been a victim. I plot, and try to plan it on a larger sheet. the spaces are always big, in my head, and it's like a conversation in me with 4 other different people at once, so there's a lot of research and considerations, intentionality and empathy to the story. It’s always triggered by a message. I'd immediately want to say about someone I know that's a victim, or do fiction.
As a Cultural Activist, how do You use Storytelling to Preserve or Protect Heritage?
It's so important to be cultural, for the kind of writing I do, I'm responsible for preserving culture, and by that, I really have to be a non conformist, these heritages are fading, and to preserve it, you have to let people know the importance of who they are and help embrace it through your work, and that's what I want to do, and I think it would help them to be brave, and authentic. I go beyond limits to get back to understand how culture is, how we used to live, and then come to world of now to tell them, it's better to know your roots.
Do you Feel Your Stories Speak More to the Past, the Present, or the Future?
It's all of it, basically, the future.
What Challenges have you Faced in telling Culturally Rooted Stories in Modern Literary Spaces?
Primarily, the problem is with the apathy, the generation of now in a place like Nigeria, isn't encouraging, there are lots of challenges, it's more of the audiences accepting and appreciating it. The system isn't designed for them to be conscious about stories concerning roots.
Do you Believe Writers have a Responsibility to their Community or Culture?
In the end, writers are already controversial, to something, to an ideology, to a group, to everything, they're activists in a sense. I genuinely think they've a huge responsibility to help other see what they can't see directly, and compel those narratives in a way that they'd understand.
How do you Balance Preserving Culture with the Freedom to Reimagine it in Your Stories?
It's both, preserving and living in this current generation, I'd do more of historical fiction, and it's like a trace back in time, to get accuracy of then, and now, to also preserve this culture, we have to remember now too, the past is just an alignment. I allow myself to imagine living in the past, where the culture prevailed more, and then reimagine it in now, and to navigate the tension? I do researches..I just have it at the back of my mind that I'm African before anything and also remember that we are diverse.
What parts of Nigerian (or African) Culture do you feel are Most at Risk of Erasure and how does Your Work Respond to that?
The society still demands culture, just there's a termination, and control in ways that's suppressing it. For example, "shame" shame would serve justice already in the past, but now, even the criminals now see it as nothing, and these generations embrace it. My work is like putting everyone on track, and creating awareness. In many ways, the enlightenment would allow people to see the need to appreciate and connect with what's lost, they just need to feel it. Most importantly.
In what Ways does Storytelling Function as Resistance or Healing for You?
I'm a functioning person because I tell stories, I see myself in everyone's shoes, I'm more intentional, aware, and it's just a way for me to be a part of this world. I'm more considerate because I tell stories, and I get involved in them.
Do You see Your Work as Part of a Larger Cultural Movement?
Absolutely, In the end, we all are on the same path, artists, poets, writers, and creatives, we have a common goal, just with a style.
Are there other Mediums You’d like to Explore Film, Theatre, Oral Performance?
I like the idea of film. the world is digital and it's the best way to use culture to connect with the current. I want to be a part of it, plotting and connecting with filmmakers.
What Message or Moment in Salaam are You most Proud of , the Part You Hope Readers never Forget?
Hmm.. when I was talking about the sacrifices my parents made, especially my mom, I was really happy I had a journey worth talking about, they placed a premium on everything, I think it's important for them not to forget the power of second chances, at any point in their lives, they should embrace uncertainty and strive. To get better.
What Legacy do You hope Your Stories, especially Salaam leave behind.
Love, connections, I hope it helps them to learn to love themselves as who they're and what they're, regardless of where they come from. I hope it helps to be closer to the Almighty. And I hope they learn to be curious about what they don't know, especially about History.
What’s Next for You. as a Writer, as a Cultural Voice, as Abdulsalam?
Connecting, creating more stories, loving the important people in my life, I'm currently doing fiction, and I think it would speak for me when it's done. we aren't stopping, we are breaking barriers.