Define Books Toward Segu (Ségou #1)
Original Title: | Ségou. Les murailles de terre |
ISBN: | 014025949X (ISBN13: 9780140259490) |
Edition Language: | English |
Series: | Ségou #1 |
Setting: | Mali Segu,1797 |
Maryse Condé
Paperback | Pages: 512 pages Rating: 4.09 | 1116 Users | 134 Reviews
Relation In Pursuance Of Books Segu (Ségou #1)
The year is 1797, and the kingdom of Segu is flourishing, fed by the wealth of its noblemen and the power of its warriors. The people of Segu, the Bambara, are guided by their griots and priests; their lives are ruled by the elements. But even their soothsayers can only hint at the changes to come, for the battle of the soul of Africa has begun. From the east comes a new religion, Islam, and from the West, the slave trade. Segu follows the life of Dousika Traore, the king’s most trusted advisor, and his four sons, whose fates embody the forces tearing at the fabric of the nation. There is Tiekoro, who renounces his people’s religion and embraces Islam; Siga, who defends tradition, but becomes a merchant; Naba, who is kidnapped by slave traders; and Malobali, who becomes a mercenary and halfhearted Christian. Based on actual events, Segu transports the reader to a fascinating time in history, capturing the earthy spirituality, religious fervor, and violent nature of a people and a growing nation trying to cope with jihads, national rivalries, racism, amid the vagaries of commerce.
Itemize Regarding Books Segu (Ségou #1)
Title | : | Segu (Ségou #1) |
Author | : | Maryse Condé |
Book Format | : | Paperback |
Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
Pages | : | Pages: 512 pages |
Published | : | September 1st 1996 by Penguin Books (first published 1984) |
Categories | : | Cultural. Africa. Fiction. Historical. Historical Fiction. France |
Rating Regarding Books Segu (Ségou #1)
Ratings: 4.09 From 1116 Users | 134 ReviewsAssessment Regarding Books Segu (Ségou #1)
An 80s rape-festThis is my book from Mali for my world books challenge, and I looked forward to reading it, because you don't find much historical fiction set in pre-colonial Africa. Too bad it reads like it was competing with the instigators of Gamergate for some maximum misogyny prize.Segu begins in 1797, in a flourishing city-state of the same name in what is now Mali, and follows the men of the Traore family for over half a century. It is a volatile time in West African history: traditionalI read this years ago, before heading to live in Mali for several months. I am thinking back on this intergenerational, magical realist epic that paints history in broad and intimate, familial strokes like Marquez's 100 Years of Solitude. Segu tells the story of Mali's triple, simultaneous colonizations-- enslavement, French land-grabbing, and Muslim religious conquest. I am thinking now about the human-imposed tragedy in Mali today with heartbreak, as this book is lived again through labor
3.5/5As a work of historical fiction, Segu is often tremendous. Following one family over 70 years of history from the late 18th century to the mid-19th, right at the beginning of European colonialism in inner Africa (which, ironically, was partially driven by the official end of slavery), but from the POV of a family who are intimately involved with the intra-African politics of the time; the power struggle between various kingdoms, the spread of Islam and Christianity colonializing both minds

This is an amazing novel, partly because of the incredible historical research that went into it. She takes her characters all over 18th and 19th century West Africa, and the detail with which she describes different cultures, languages, etc. is just incredible, and really believable. It's a great story. I give it 4 stars just because the characters are not quite as compelling to me as they could be, but it's a very well-told story. Fascinating whether or not you're interested in West Africa.
A most amazing epic set in West Africa [along the Niger River] in the 19th century. You follow portions of the lives of a long series of characters, old and young, male and female. Rather disturbing to read about all the warfare and distrust between neighboring groups.I had known nothing at all about the introduction of Islam in this part of the world. During the 19th century people and whole villages/tribes were converting to this foreign religion, and one thing it brought was the chance to
Interwined a great deal of historical and cultural information in a very nicely paced way. I felt a sense of being there with some of the characters.
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