Reviews - MIKELA Memoirs of a Maasai Woman
Tanya Tammie Fowler, Folklorist & Bio-Medical, Ph.D. Anthropologist
"…for those who live with the aftermath of rape, suicide, or reproductive endangerment, the characters and events are excerpts from the real…"
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Lovette Chinwah, Ph.D.
"Two weeks later, it was my turn to be cleansed… chilling words propel the plot…Mikela goes through a self-discovery process and maturation as she tackles the scars of female rites of passage and rape… Aniagolu reveals tradition’s stronghold on a society and the triumph of the human spirit…"
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Barry Chukwugekwu Eneh
"…the tumultuous life and struggles for freedom and survival of Mikela, a young Tanzanian woman of the Maasai tribe… Untangling the chains of her violation and bad memories… Mikela is an epitome of a victim of sexual abuse… her experience speaks for millions of women still treated as objects…"
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Review by: Dr. Tanya Tammie Fowler, Bio-Medical, Anthropologist
Jacyee Aniagolu-Johnson’s novel, Mikela: Memoirs of a Maasai Queen, details a subject of anguish between generations of women of the Tanzanian Maasailand and the Arab/African Diaspora. The subject is the "Ritual of Initiation" known in the west by the composite term, "Female Circumcision".
Halima recalls with anguish her own circumcision directed by her mother in preparation for girlhood marriage to a man her father's age. A driving but intangible force, however, over rules the indignities of her past. Halima directs the circumcision of her twin daughters, Nadia, and Mikela. Owing to the effects of the procedure on her twin, and her eminent betrothal to a man her father's age, Mikela flees home. Her odyssey reveals Mikela to herself as a Beaux-Art student of promise with a stain on the canvass of her own life. She can masterfully depict traditional life on the Maasaiplain, but can she reconcile two opposing worlds? In one, "traditionalists" extol circumcision as indispensable to female cleanliness/chastity, in the other world of her paramour Alex, female circumcision, it is disdained as mutilation.
The appeal of this story is in its transgression of a vow of silence. Aniagolu states that this is a "fictional novel", but for those who live with the aftermath of rape, suicide, or reproductive endangerment, the characters and events are excerpts from the real. The integrity of the plot is sustained by the direct experience of the characters. Mikela's benefactors, Mama Eshe, Tulia, or Francois Jacques Paquet for example, would be reduced to the level of cliches in lesser works. Here the are a function of dreams that presage events.
The literary appeal is sustained through the direct, sparing style of narration. Events are more important than philosophy, even when characters like Chege Bela Mathani invoke the need for a philosophy of higher moral conduct. I would use this highly marketable book in my practice in Bio-Medical Anthropology. It would aid in lowering audience resistance to discussions of sensitive subjects.
Recommended audiences include practitioners concerned with women's reproductive health, and Arab/African descendents seeking to preserve ethnic-cultural tradition, and achieve personal transformation.
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Review By Lovette Chinwah, Ph.D.
Literary Appeal
The Memoirs of a Maasai Woman is a tasteful narration of subject matters that are taboo, but which are nonetheless common occurrences. Aniagolu weaves a universal tapestry of tradition, generation gap, race, class, and gender. Aniagolu reveals tradition’s stronghold on a society and the triumph of the human spirit. Overall, this novel is a must-read.
Integrity of the Plot
Aniagolu cleverly reveals the paradox of human existence through Mikela’s internal and external conflicts. The subplot of Mikela’s mother’s life adds complexity and depth to the novel. The novel could do without extensive descriptions of scenery and of the conference on circumcision; they are lengthy punctuation marks in the plot. The denouement appears a bit hurried; the reader yearns for Mikela to make peace directly with her father. The short chapters, compound sentences and concrete language make The Memoirs … is an easy read. Aniagolu draws the reader into Mikela’s world through epistolary narrative and the first-person voice, effective devices that also may diminish a character’s objectivity. Mikela’s recurring dreams are a welcome literary device. Mikela’s first dream in which she "was soaring like an eagle" is a precursor to her final triumph.
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Review by: Barry Chukwugekwu Eneh
MIKELA-Memoirs of a Maasai Woman is about the tumultuous life and struggles for freedom and survival of Mikela, a young Tanzanian woman of the Maasai tribe. Mikela and her twin sister Nadia were circumcised when they were eight years old. Nadia died from the physical pain of circumcision. Mikela faces a life-long emotional anguish that leaves her traumatized. Untangling the chains of her violation and bad memories would take Mikela and the reader on an unending adventure across three continents and cultures. And as you would discover, growing up in some cultures can be a nightmare.
In Maasai culture, female circumcision is an old tradition, sustained by the belief that it minimizes pre-marital sex, curbs teenage pregnancy and prepared young women for marriage. Circumcision was also believed to preserve a woman's chastity and fidelity in marriage. Mikela is an epitome of a victim of sexual abuse. In many ways, her experience speaks for millions of women still treated as objects, with no decision-making powers in some cultures. The story leaves you questioning the motive for this chilling rite of passage for girls in Maasai land; Does ritual "cleansing" really achieve its purpose?
This is a very captivating and well-written story. I could not keep the book down. Jacyee Aniagolu has offered us compelling perspectives on an issue that is emotionally troubling. Mikela is a must read for all young people, teachers, mentors, counselors, social workers, parents and everyone who work with young people. This book would educate and empower you to be a voice for those still silenced in the name of tradition or cultural heritage.
back to top
"…for those who live with the aftermath of rape, suicide, or reproductive endangerment, the characters and events are excerpts from the real…"
Read Complete Review
Lovette Chinwah, Ph.D.
"Two weeks later, it was my turn to be cleansed… chilling words propel the plot…Mikela goes through a self-discovery process and maturation as she tackles the scars of female rites of passage and rape… Aniagolu reveals tradition’s stronghold on a society and the triumph of the human spirit…"
Read Complete Review
Barry Chukwugekwu Eneh
"…the tumultuous life and struggles for freedom and survival of Mikela, a young Tanzanian woman of the Maasai tribe… Untangling the chains of her violation and bad memories… Mikela is an epitome of a victim of sexual abuse… her experience speaks for millions of women still treated as objects…"
Read Complete Review
Review by: Dr. Tanya Tammie Fowler, Bio-Medical, Anthropologist
Jacyee Aniagolu-Johnson’s novel, Mikela: Memoirs of a Maasai Queen, details a subject of anguish between generations of women of the Tanzanian Maasailand and the Arab/African Diaspora. The subject is the "Ritual of Initiation" known in the west by the composite term, "Female Circumcision".
Halima recalls with anguish her own circumcision directed by her mother in preparation for girlhood marriage to a man her father's age. A driving but intangible force, however, over rules the indignities of her past. Halima directs the circumcision of her twin daughters, Nadia, and Mikela. Owing to the effects of the procedure on her twin, and her eminent betrothal to a man her father's age, Mikela flees home. Her odyssey reveals Mikela to herself as a Beaux-Art student of promise with a stain on the canvass of her own life. She can masterfully depict traditional life on the Maasaiplain, but can she reconcile two opposing worlds? In one, "traditionalists" extol circumcision as indispensable to female cleanliness/chastity, in the other world of her paramour Alex, female circumcision, it is disdained as mutilation.
The appeal of this story is in its transgression of a vow of silence. Aniagolu states that this is a "fictional novel", but for those who live with the aftermath of rape, suicide, or reproductive endangerment, the characters and events are excerpts from the real. The integrity of the plot is sustained by the direct experience of the characters. Mikela's benefactors, Mama Eshe, Tulia, or Francois Jacques Paquet for example, would be reduced to the level of cliches in lesser works. Here the are a function of dreams that presage events.
The literary appeal is sustained through the direct, sparing style of narration. Events are more important than philosophy, even when characters like Chege Bela Mathani invoke the need for a philosophy of higher moral conduct. I would use this highly marketable book in my practice in Bio-Medical Anthropology. It would aid in lowering audience resistance to discussions of sensitive subjects.
Recommended audiences include practitioners concerned with women's reproductive health, and Arab/African descendents seeking to preserve ethnic-cultural tradition, and achieve personal transformation.
back to top
Review By Lovette Chinwah, Ph.D.
Literary Appeal
The Memoirs of a Maasai Woman is a tasteful narration of subject matters that are taboo, but which are nonetheless common occurrences. Aniagolu weaves a universal tapestry of tradition, generation gap, race, class, and gender. Aniagolu reveals tradition’s stronghold on a society and the triumph of the human spirit. Overall, this novel is a must-read.
Integrity of the Plot
Aniagolu cleverly reveals the paradox of human existence through Mikela’s internal and external conflicts. The subplot of Mikela’s mother’s life adds complexity and depth to the novel. The novel could do without extensive descriptions of scenery and of the conference on circumcision; they are lengthy punctuation marks in the plot. The denouement appears a bit hurried; the reader yearns for Mikela to make peace directly with her father. The short chapters, compound sentences and concrete language make The Memoirs … is an easy read. Aniagolu draws the reader into Mikela’s world through epistolary narrative and the first-person voice, effective devices that also may diminish a character’s objectivity. Mikela’s recurring dreams are a welcome literary device. Mikela’s first dream in which she "was soaring like an eagle" is a precursor to her final triumph.
back to top
Review by: Barry Chukwugekwu Eneh
MIKELA-Memoirs of a Maasai Woman is about the tumultuous life and struggles for freedom and survival of Mikela, a young Tanzanian woman of the Maasai tribe. Mikela and her twin sister Nadia were circumcised when they were eight years old. Nadia died from the physical pain of circumcision. Mikela faces a life-long emotional anguish that leaves her traumatized. Untangling the chains of her violation and bad memories would take Mikela and the reader on an unending adventure across three continents and cultures. And as you would discover, growing up in some cultures can be a nightmare.
In Maasai culture, female circumcision is an old tradition, sustained by the belief that it minimizes pre-marital sex, curbs teenage pregnancy and prepared young women for marriage. Circumcision was also believed to preserve a woman's chastity and fidelity in marriage. Mikela is an epitome of a victim of sexual abuse. In many ways, her experience speaks for millions of women still treated as objects, with no decision-making powers in some cultures. The story leaves you questioning the motive for this chilling rite of passage for girls in Maasai land; Does ritual "cleansing" really achieve its purpose?
This is a very captivating and well-written story. I could not keep the book down. Jacyee Aniagolu has offered us compelling perspectives on an issue that is emotionally troubling. Mikela is a must read for all young people, teachers, mentors, counselors, social workers, parents and everyone who work with young people. This book would educate and empower you to be a voice for those still silenced in the name of tradition or cultural heritage.
back to top