I'm just starting a book about the oral history of Queen Tasì Hangbé who reigned over Dahomey, in Western Africa, in the early 18th century. She is alleged to have created an army of “amazons“ and a school where women could learn traditional male skills. She also elevated other women to positions of responsibility.
#Benin #Africa
Pic of her 98ft (30m) statue* in Cotonou, Benin by Yemi festus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
pickThis is a fictionalized version of the slave revolt that led to the independence of #Haiti. There‘s a lot to say about this book because it covers EVERYTHING, from Toya‘s life in #Benin as a soldier to her enslavement in America. She is the founding general‘s aunt who teaches him how to fight while they were both still slaves. Simultaneously we read the story of his wife, Marie-Claire, a free mulatto who suffers for being a black black instead ⬇️
I‘m starting this book tonight for #foodandlit #Haiti. It should also work for #Benin #readingafrica2022 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB @Catsandbooks @Butterfinger
pickAbsolutely stunning. Multicast narration outstanding. The story of the last slave ship out of Africa containing 110 men, women and children who were brought to Alabama as slaves. So impactful, moving, heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting. I wish this book in verse would be mandatory reading for every school student. I am so grateful to #ReadingAfrica22 #Benin for putting this book in my ears ❤️🙌🏻 Five stars
Shopping again today for my daughter‘s books for college and picked up this one for #readingafrica2022 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB
It should work for #Benin but also #Haiti when we get to October for #foodandlit @Catsandbooks @Butterfinger
pickThis is a novelization of the people stolen from #Benin and brought to the US illegally as the last enslaved peoples. It‘s written in verse without different poetry structures for each voice. It‘s well done and makes me want to go back and (finally) read Barracoon.
#ReadingAfrica2022
Although speaking of African queens, I've just remembered about Queen Pokou: Concerto for a Sacrifice by Véronique Tadjo. I haven't read this specific novel by her yet (I do mean to!) but I really liked Far from My father...