BOOK CLUB

WAITING FOR WILD BEASTS TO VOTE
A POLITICAL FICTION BY ONE AHMADOU KARAMOU.


This book is one reason why you should have good friends.Through 7 vigils,not chapters,the Ivorian author has delved into the failures that characterised post-indepent African nations.The narration is satirically achieved by one storyteller Bingo as his apprentice Tiecoura entertains an audience that is never clearly defined,leaving us to assume it is the reader.
If Koyaga,the master hunter turned dictator does not remind you of an African dictator,then you have not seen much.With his hyperbole,Bingo will take you through a pre-colonial Africa to what many may call modern day Africa by Bongo's terms.
The book traverses through the themes of colonial injustice,Cold War neo-colonialism and revolutions.That such a book can even circulate now is a testimony to the freedoms that are turbulently snatched then returned.
If we as Africans feel offended when suspects are called to ICC,we will deny such accusations with the cautionary words of Bingo.Bingo's proverbs abound with wisdom that cuts across the French translation by Frank Wynne.
Ahmadou minces no words when he meticulously describes the school of dictatorship and brotherhood characteristic of regional organisations set up to drive the agenda of egotists.That our culture has long been used to pin us down will hurt you as peruse through pages of men of destiny,geomancy,cartomancy,fetishes etc.
My two cents on this novel:we as Africans need to know whence we came from to appreciate our destination.

BIBLICAL AWKWARD MOMENTS

Borrowed from a joke a friend told me about Abraham, Isaac and the walk home after the sacrifice, here is my list of awkward biblical conversations.

1.      Delilah after the failed attempt to subdue Samson.

Delilah: The hallmark of true love is being able to reveal one’s weaknesses and yet be comfortable with the other person.

Samson: What’s love got to do with it?

2.      Eve and Adam after eating the fruit

Woman: What’s that thing on your groin?

Man: I don’t know, it keeps aiming at your groin. Want to find out why?

3.      Haman just about to hang on the gallows he had prepared for the Jews.

Haman (to the executioner): I MEANT HANG OUT! All Jews should hang out more often. The gallows were just a means of showing the whole town who the Jews so it’d be easier to hang out.

4.      Doubting Thomas after seeing Jesus’ hands and feet

Jesus: Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.

Thomas: Still doesn’t beat Peter and the cock’s crows.

5.      Mary Magdalene after the failed stoning attempt.

Jesus: Go, but do not sin again.

Magdalene: Can I just stick with you for some time? Really cannot trust these guys to let this one slip. Plus you might be the only man who won’t get me in this compromising situation again.