Tracing Jaja

Author / Creator

Kellman, Tony, 1955- author

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Summary

Based on the life of accomplished merchant prince King Ja Ja of Opobo, Anthony Kellman has created a rich and warm work of historical fiction. Posited as the main obstacle to British imperial inter...

Based on the life of accomplished merchant prince King Ja Ja of Opobo, Anthony Kellman has created a rich and warm work of historical fiction. Posited as the main obstacle to British imperial interests in the palm oil-rich Niger delta, once omnipotent King Ja Ja is exiled to the West Indies for the final four years of his life. Focuses on the last four months of Jaja's life and the ironies of his position in Barbados where Whites dominated all aspects of life and race prejudice was nakedly expressed, but where many Black Barbadians were piqued to discover the presence of an African king amongst them. Weaving between the official records and the satirical and cynical traditions of the Tuk song. Traces the emerging love between an ailing African king in exile and his Barbadian servant Becka which brings new life to his battered body and spirit, and the Barbadian landscape lifts his despair, the king never loses his sense of the injustice done to him or gives up his desire to return home.

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