#Sira Kulibali

[eng4uthoughts-blog]

Analysis

Everything Amazing About The Book of Negroes - Feminist Literary Theory pt. 1

I have recently finished reading The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill and it was amazing. Hill has clearly researched every detail and does everything right.  When viewing the novel from a feminist perspective, I was surprised with the results.

Independent Women

Although the novel is set in a time when women were considered the weaker sex and not as capable as men, the following women demonstrate their strength in their own ways in order to survive.

Sira Kulibali

Aminata’s mother

She is a Bamana, yet marries a Fulbe and lives in a Fulbe village where she has learned much of the language

Has earned the respect of other women by learning some Arabic prayers, pounding millet and collecting shea nuts with everyone else

Has a reputation for catching babies. Her reputation is so good that she travels to different villages to deliver babies and is paid well

Teaches her daughter her trade which later helps her to survive

Georgia

Becomes a mother figure to Aminata

Stands up to her owner, Appleby, in order to save Aminata from death

Mentors Aminata when she is new to the plantation. She helps her learn the work on the plantation, the language and how to act around certain people

Teaches Aminata herbal remedies for common illnesses. This knowledge helps Aminata to earn a living in Canvas Town

May

Aminata’s daughter

Learns to read and write because she remembers her mother’s love for words

Escapes slavery by jumping out a window, barefoot, at 11

Aminata

Survives crossing the ocean on a slave ship at 11

Learns to read and write in her third language 

Resists punishment from Appleby

Earns a living by delivering children and providing medical services

Begins teaching other people to read and write

Escapes slavery in Manhatten

Contributes to the Book of Negroes which helps her gain passage to Nova Scotia

When in Nova Scotia she deals with extreme and violent racism and extremely poor living conditions

“Negotiate[s] like a man” (Hill 424)

Lives out the remainder of her days in London where she helps the abolitionist movement by telling her personal story

For part 2 of the analysis click here

#analysis #FLT #Feminist Literary Theory

[and-i-would-remember]

(Mamadu): "No more. No more travelling so far to bring babies into the world." (Sira): "Women in other villages have babies too, and your daughter needs to learn the trade." (Mamadu): "I will not allow it. It's not safe." (Sira): "I have walked this country my whole life. I will travel as freely as anyone." (Mamadu): "I will go with you the next time." (Sira): "No, you will not." (Mamadu): "I'm coming with you!"

The Book of Negroes, Episode 1

#The Book of Negroes #Book of Negroes #Mamadu Diallo #Sira Kulibali #Aminata Diallo #Andile Gumbi #Thishiwe Ziqubu #Shailyn Pierre-Dixon

[and-i-would-remember]

(Aminata narrating): My father made jewelry. He was the only man in the village who had a copy of the Qur'an. From him, I learned Fulfulde and how to read and write in Arabic. Islam was spreading across the land, and in Bayo, my father was among a few converts. [Aminata writes in the sand with a stick] (Mamadu): "Now, read what you wrote." (Aminata): "'Allah Akbar'". (Mamadu): "Good. Very good. Now, keep practicing."

The Book of Negroes, Episode 1

#The Book of Negroes #Book of Negroes #Aminata Diallo #Mamadu Diallo #Sira Kulibali #Shailyn Pierre-Dixon #Andile Gumbi #Thishiwe Ziqubu

[and-i-would-remember]

Aminata and her mother arrive home to their village of Bayo, Mali, in 1761. The Book of Negroes, Episode 1

#The Book of Negroes #Book of Negroes #Aminata Diallo #Sira Kulibali #Shailyn Pierre-Dixon #Thishiwe Ziqubu

[and-i-would-remember]

(Man's voice): "The man-stealers took a farmer. That's his blood." (Sira): "Let's get home before it gets dark." (Aminata narrating): "Have you seen the moon slide behind the clouds? People started slipping away like that. But unlike the moon, they never came back."

The Book of Negroes, Episode 1

#The Book of Negroes #Book of Negroes #Aminata Diallo #Sira Kulibali #Shailyn Pierre-Dixon #Thishiwe Ziqubu