Baadiye: OXFORD HOUSE,
Book presentation: Black Mamba Boy
Friday 12 Feb. 2010
6:30pm -9:00pm
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8E7HLUaRF4&feature=player_embedded
Kayd Somali Arts and Culture is pleased to invite you to the presentation of new book; 'Black Mamba Boy' by Nadifa Mohamed. Join us to discuss this new novel with the author on Friday,12 Feb. 2010 at 6:30pm -9:00pm, Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG. This event will be chaired by Mohamed Mohamud and he will be joined by Dr Virginia Luling, an independent scholar and an expert on Somali Culture. There will also be entertainment from artists Abdifataah Yare and Ga’id
The story begins in Aden,1935; a city vibrant, alive, and full of hidden dangers. And home to Jama, a ten year-old street boy. When his mother dies unexpectedly, and he finds himself alone in the world, Jama is forced home to his native Somalia, the land of his nomadic ancestors. War is on the horizon and the fascist Italian forces who control parts of east Africa are preparing for battle.. Yet Jama cannot rest until he discovers whether his father, who has been absent from his life since he was a baby, is alive somewhere.
And so begins an epic journey which will take Jama north through Djibouti, war-torn Eritrea and Sudan, to Egypt.And from there, aboard a ship transporting Jewish refugees just released from German concentration camp, across the seas to Britain and freedom. It is a unique tale, based on the experiences and life of the author’s father, which also tells us the story of the many people of his generation who did not survive.
Nadifa was born in Hargeysa, Somaliland in 1981 and was educated in the UK, studying history and politics at St Hilda's College, Oxford. She lives in London and is working on her second novel. Please join us for this exciting discussion with a new author. For more information contact: Ayan Mahamoud on 07903712949 or ayan_mahamoud@kayd.org