Chronycles began in January 2024 as an experiment by Kunle Adebajo and KÁNYIN Olorunnisola, originally called Japa Chronicles. The goal? To capture the full spectrum of life in the diaspora — the extraordinary, the mundane, and everything in between.
We’re still on that journey, but we’ve widened our lens.
At Chronycles, we document the oddly specific, the deeply personal, and stories that linger long after they’re told. We do this in two main ways:
- First, by publishing real-life experiences in the words of the people who lived them. Think: migration, work, love, family, conflict, culture — all as told from the horse’s mouth.
- Second, by asking public-interest journalism to loosen its tie. We empower writers to chase what fascinates them personally. Those strange questions, niche memories, or quiet epiphanies, which often end up revealing something bigger.
Our Mission
We want to celebrate random human experiences, those that make us feel as much as they make us think. We believe personal stories deserve the spotlight, no matter how niche, messy, or mundane, because that’s where truth often hides. We value vulnerability over polish and questions over conclusions. We welcome voices from across the globe, especially those who don’t usually see their stories reflected in mainstream media.
Our Publications
We offer three kinds of stories:
- Snippets: Short, sharp first-person accounts, usually under 500 words. They might be submitted by the person involved or curated by someone else. Sometimes they stand alone; sometimes they come in themed series.
- Memoirs: Longer personal narratives, often triple or quadruple the length of a snippet. These dive deeper into a particular episode, emotion, or journey.
- Features: These are journalism-style pieces where the writer embarks on a pursuit of wonder fueled by uncommon curiosity and sets out to answer a specific question no one else has lost sleep over.
OUR ETHICS
We are committed to storytelling that is honest, respectful, and responsible. Our ethical approach is guided by curiosity and a deep regard for the people and communities behind the narratives we share.
- Accuracy and authenticity: We strive to ensure that every story reflects the truth of the experience as it was lived or told. While we may edit for clarity and flow, we do not fabricate, embellish, or distort facts. To ensure that the stories we publish are as truthful as possible, we insist that contributors also submit original photographs and confirm the credibility of curators. We also rely on years of investigative journalism experience and well-honed editorial instincts, and follow up with clarification requests where necessary.
- Consent and sensitivity: We obtain clear permission from contributors before publishing their narratives, whether personal or curated. We take special care when dealing with vulnerable subjects, identities, or experiences.
- Respect for anonymity: Contributors are free to publish under a pseudonym, initials, or no name at all. We protect identities when requested, especially in cases where public exposure could cause harm.
- Independence: Our editorial decisions are driven by our mission, not by commercial or political interests. We maintain a clear boundary between partnerships and the stories we choose to tell.
- Openness to correction: We welcome feedback and corrections, and we’re willing to revisit or amend published content if it falls short of our standards.
At its core, Chronycles is a space for stories that matter to you, to us, and maybe to the world. We hold that responsibility with both hands.
Want to share your story or pitch an idea? Click here to find out how to contribute.
If you would like to support our work, you can either make one-time donations or recurring donations using our Paystack payment pages.