''Joe'' was a magazine published in
Kenya
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between 1973 and 1979, at the height of what publisher
Henry Chakava described as the "fat years" of Kenyan publishing. ''Joe'' was one of several publications aimed at the new urban middle and lower-middle classes, and used subversive humour, art and fiction as a medium for cultural, social and political analysis. The magazine also provided a platform for new artists and fiction writers.
History
''Joe'' magazine was founded by writer/publisher
Hillary Ng'weno and artist
Terry Hirst in 1973. The magazine was named after "Joe", a common man who used humour to deal with the realities of urban life in contemporary Africa, and encouraged readers to do the same, in dialogue with the character and the magazine. Hirst described Joe as "a survivor who has to laugh to keep from crying."
Inspired by South African magazine ''
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a she ...
'', ''Joe'' used street-wise language in comic strips, fiction stories and themed columns to articulate the everyday problems of the urban population. Its letters column, "Dear Joe", encouraged interaction from readers. The magazine also carried an original short story in every issue, featuring writers including
Sam Kahiga,
Meja Mwangi
Meja Mwangi (born 27 December 1948) is a Kenyan writer.
He has worked in the film industry, including in screenwriting, assistant directing, and casting.
Biography
Mwangi was born David Dominic Mwangi in Nanyuki, Kenya, and was educated at Nany ...
, and
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (; born James Ngugi; 5 January 1938) is a Literature of Kenya, Kenyan author and academic who writes primarily in Gikuyu language, Gikuyu and who formerly wrote in English language, English. He has been described as having bee ...
. ''Joe'' also made distinctive use of graphics, drawings, illustrated jokes and comic strips, including "City Life" by
Edward Gitau, "O.K, Sue! A City-Girl's View" by
Kimani Gathingiri and Terry Hirst's "Daddy Wasiwasi & Co" and "The Good, the Bed and the Ugali".
Ng'weno left the magazine'' in 1974. In 1979 Hirst renamed the magazine ''Joe Homestead'', increasing the number of comic strips and adding a new section on family, nutrition and health. However, the new title did not attract advertisers and the magazine shut down in August 1979.
References
{{Reflist
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''
1973 establishments in Kenya
1979 disestablishments in Kenya
Magazines published in Africa
Defunct magazines published in Kenya
Magazines published in Kenya
Magazines established in 1973
Magazines disestablished in 1979
Youth magazines
Irregularly published magazines