I see M’ma Asana picking up the logs on the ground as quickly as she could. I watch her go back toward the kraal, she stops to look down to admire something. I try to force myself to approach her but my heart aches. She stops again by the doorway, leaning as though not to fall. She walks in to the house and I do not see her come out. I wait for her to come back out to close the main gate. After a while I see no sign of M'ma. I wait for a little bit longer and then decide to go toward the house. I now see M’ma Asana come back out and I know she heard my footsteps as I tried to tread gently so I would not spook her.
“Who comes?” she asks.
“It is me, M’ma.” I quickly answer.
“You Issa, my son?”
“Yes, M’ma.”
“They are asleep.”
I knew they were which is why I chose to come at this hour. I know that if anyone will understand it will be M’ma. It is better to do this now then when Hawa is awake. It will be easier on all of us. If I tell Hawa she might beg me to take her with me, something I cannot do. That is no place for a woman like Hawa or our child.
“I thought so. That is why I am coming now.” my heart beating faster now. Should I go in or just stay outside and tell her quickly not to drag out the sorrow more than necessary. I walk in; I stopped between the pillars with my back against the wall, just the comfort I need. I do not know how to tell her. Where should I start?
“M’ma, is Fuseni well?”
“Yes.”
“M’ma, is Hawa well?”
“Yes.”
“M’ma please tell me, is Fuseni very well?”
We kept talking about the health of my newborn son and it was hard for me to get the words out. My thoughts are running around in my head. M'ma is speaking but I cannot really focus on what she is saying. I do not want to disappoint M’ma or anyone else for that matter but I have to say it. She will understand that it is for the greater good for my family.
“M’ma, I am going South.” my heart jumped to my throat.
“Where did you say?”
“South.”
After explaining to her where and why I was going I thought it would be clear to her but she kept asking questions. Why was I going South to find work when I could have done that here.
"You are going to cut grass." she says. How could she know that it was what I was thinking?
"Perhaps." I answer.
She tells me to stay here to do that work. I explain that I will get paid well in the South and now that I have a son I must do what is best for my family. I want them to live well.
She tells me that our men do not do that type of work, it is for the men further north. Men of the wilderness.
“When shall we expect you back?”
I did not know what to say, “M’ma, I do not know. Perhaps next Ramaddan.” Hoping she would accept that answer.
She blessed me and after I assured her that Hawa will be looked after I left.
I went to get on the government bus that leaves early in the morning from Tamale. I did not sleep one bit during the whole night, how could I? My conversation with M’ma was playing in my head over and over again. Has she already told Hawa? How did she act? Have I made the right decision? Issa, stop thinking like a fool, of course you have made the right decision. This is not for you only but for your newborn child, your son. I can not think of myself but I must think of what is best for my family. I got on the bus and leaned my head on the window and watched the familiar land and faces pass me by. Is this the last time I will see this? No, I will be back. I must be back, for Hawa and Fusani.
footnote: this is my version of Ama Ata Aidoo's story, "Certain Winds from the South" from Issa's point of view.
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6 comments:
Ranna,
This is certainly a story about difficult choices that we sometimes have to make that are not just for ourselves, but for a greater good, and I think you portrayed this really well. I very much felt the emotional tug that Issa was feeling through your portrayal of his inner thoughts during the conversation between he and his mother.
Also, I found your portrayal of the anxiety Issa experiences over his decision to leave while he's actually leaving on the bus really underlines, in an intimate way, what it's like to have made these hard decisions…decisions that have no guarantee of success, and much risk of loss on many levels.
In times of colonization, I would imagine that many members of families in similar situations had to leave their villages to find work for their survival closer to the city. This seems to be the "problem" that our own government is fighting with illegal immigrants from Mexico. So, this is really a story about how capitalism and American dominance in the world market seems to continue to change the nature of life down to our personal relationships throughout the world.
Issa's story is a story that is repeated hundreds of times. As Wendy stated our government is fighting all of the Latinos who come to this country and leave their families behind for the same reason Issa left his, to offer their families a better life. I can not imagine what it must be like to have to leave your family behind, to not have the opportunity to watch your children grow up. Your version of the story was very well written, as well as your portrayal of Issa's emotions.
Ranna,
I really like your take on Issa’s perspective in this story. He does seem a bit tentative and (dare I say it?) afraid about his entire trip, which is completely understandable considering the fact that the outcomes of journey are unknown. You blend your narrative with the dialogue of the original story, a trick that makes your work all so believable and credible.
While the story does fit in with a colonial setting, I think it does fit in with globalization more than just capitalism. Moving (or even commuting) is a necessity, not just a choice. And, the issue does not pertain to only illegal (or even legal) immigrants. Look at our campus, a lot of the students are commuters from far places (okay, not that far). I come to school on a commuter bus; most of its passengers are workers in the valley. They actually call it the “Commuter Bus,” too. What I’m trying to say is, this story is much closer to our reality than one would readily assume.
I actually see this as a reflection of postcolonial rather than colonial times. In the wake of colonialism, many of the countries were robbed of most of their brilliant minds (notice the frequency of characters leaving Africa in Aidou’s works), their natural resources, and probably their strength and confidence. The economy, naturally, plummeted and finding a job probably is a struggle. Issa’s story is probably a reoccurring story, as his mother and Hawa later share (and as Arleen already said).
Who knows if he’ll ever come back, though.
I believe this story represents the struggle of morality in society. A man must make a decision to leave his family to support his family. This story is a great portrayal of how societies obligations can separate a family and cause serious emotional distress. As Issa confesses to his mother, there is great sorrow and also a sense of unknowing that consumes him and I believe this was very common among the African male populous, in colonial times. It is a journey of a man's will to provide for his family, but also a journey into the unknown because, Issa does not know if he will succeed.
it is an african short story ..written by christina ama ata ado,please i'am looking for a critical analysis to it but i could not..lets change our points of viw...i'am waiting for you all to participate
Thanks for posting this. It is really moving. I live in a society that men often travel for work. It is a sad thing. This piece is really moving. I am currently studying African Lit and I think this gave a great twist to Ama Ata Aidoo. Thanks again!
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