Etelvina Helena and Valia Mussoco are the authors of “Tecnomagia: A Resistência dos Khossa” (Technomagic: The Resistance of the Khossa), one of the winning works of the BDPALOP program – Comics in Portuguese-Speaking African Countries.
The story combines science fiction and elements of ancestral culture. The plot presents a world dominated by an artificial intelligence called Nexus, which controls the population through an application, Otomi.
The resistance comes through the Khossa family, who resort to magic and the legacy of their ancestors to restore the balance between technology and humanity.
“It was a great satisfaction to see the work recognized and printed,” said Etelvina Helena, screenwriter. “I had to reduce a story of more than 70 pages to 40. It was a challenge, but the story continues.”
Illustrator Valia Mussoco highlighted the personal impact of the project.
“It opened doors and gave me motivation to continue with new works,” she said.
BDPALOP supports young authors from the PALOP countries through training, mentoring, and publication of original works. Half of the creation grants are awarded to women, promoting gender equality and inclusion in the African cultural scene.
According to the organization, the initiative aims to consolidate a network of creators and foster a sustainable comics market in the Lusophone space.
“After launching this work, no end is an end,” said Mussoco. “It’s just the beginning.”
(By Joana Mawai)
