When I read Mary Pax's review of this novella I was interested … and then I heard two talks on the BBC about 'Binti' – a name that rings a bell as soon as it's announced …
I thought it would introduce me to an author, Nnedi Okorafor, I'd never heard of, while also read about her very open-minded approach to authorship.
Neil Gaiman praises her … when I bought the book it had become a trilogy – he says ' Prepare to fall in love with Binti' … yes I did!
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| Namibia - the Kunene region is in the north near the Angolan border |
The other connecting subject was the setting – the Himba people of Namibia … I'd been fortunate to have visited, with my mother, The Skeleton Coast of Namibia in the late 1980s.
Reading Mary's assessment made so much sense – more so now … when Binti runs off – Mary comments 'How can we shed what we are? We can't completely. Customs and traditions are the foundations of self.'
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| Himba woman - self-protected using the Otjize mix |
In the article on the Himba people, Wiki make a salient point … I'd watched a programme of BBC presenters when they visited various places in southern Africa – one of which was the Himba people … where the presenter mocked the red clay (otjize) that the Himba use to protect themselves from the harsh desert climate.
Otjize is a mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment – which Binti, the protagonist, takes with her on her travels. Scientifically Otjize supports the low skin cancer rate within the Namibian Himba community.
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| Otjize - Red Ochre mixture used by the Himba peoples |
I too couldn't put the book down … the trilogy, not just the novella. On the other hand I related to the Himba and Namibia … the setting, the landscape, the people … I feel quite wistful for those weeks of my life.
Also a while ago, earlier this century!, I'd heard that the OvaHimba people's perceptions of colours was 'limited' … they use only four colour names … now I see in Wiki – that this has been explained, and notes that like many traditional societies, the Himba have exceptionally sharp vision …
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| Nnedi Okorafor - with insects in a Butterfly Conservatory |
Mary Pax has once again praised Nnedi Okorafor for her new story 'NOOR' – well another book I will definitely get to read in the near future … I can't resist this read.
I set out below the various links … in the hope you'd like to check them out …
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| Himba woman milking a cow |
Africanfuturism is a cultural aesthetic and philosophy of science that centers on the fusion of African culture, history, mythology, point of view, with technology based in Africa and not limiting to the diaspora. It was coined by Nigerian American writer Nnedi Okorafor in 2019 in a blog post as a single word.
Afrofuturism – is a sci-fi sub-category that is about “Black people within the diaspora” often including stories of those outside Africa.
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| Noor - the new book |
By the way – I wish Mary all the best – she's just been on a course of chemotherapy, which has now finished … so I, and I'm sure you too, wish her the best for her future.
PS - I've never quite worked out how I comment on Mary's blog … but I've known her for many years. I've learnt that Mary has turned off comments ... during her treatment - so that understandably explains this aspect.
Mary Pax – SciFi Worth Reading: Binti book review
Mary Pax – SciFi Worth Reading: Noor book review
Wikipedia – Himba people (and colour perception information, included here)
Wikipedia – Otjize
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
40 comments:
I am very interested in Otjize which Binti described as a mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment. Australians have the highest rate of skin cancers in the world because of our intense sun and because so many Australians came from white skinned countries in Europe.
I would have expected Namibians to have lots of natural protection. Nonetheless I will watch with great interest as Otjize is scientifically supported to decrease the low skin cancer rate in Namibia. Australians and others have a lot to learn.
Great post, Hilary, with useful information too. We need to applaud Africa more. As someone who has visited the continent quite extensively over many years, I deplore the fact that so many refer to "Africa" as though it were one nation rather than a continent, and that "Africans" are all the same. There are so many different ethnic groups and cultures it behooves us all to get to know them well. Go, Binti! All the best - David
Interesting post and I have looked up the books. I think I would enjoy them, but not so sure about Nigel and we always buy books that we both would enjoy. I have temporarily put it on my wish list, so he can have a look. Thanks and cheers Diane
I do find this very interesting. And Mary is right, we do carry our pieces of culture with us everywhere we go. Wishing her well on her recovery.
You know I have to check this book out, Hilary. OK, over 1900 comments on Amazon! For anyone who needs the link, here it is: https://www.amazon.com/Binti-Complete-Trilogy/dp/0756416930
Thank you for the recommendations, Hilary. I have downloaded Binti and look forward to reading it.
Hari Om
Okay, thanks. Added to my TBR list! YAM xx
@ Hela - I couldn't find much about Otjize ... but I'm sure there's more information out there and certainly the book gives more information, but not quantities etc ... Equally I can see and understand your interest in the pigment ... I'll be interested to hear more too ...
@ David - it's such an interesting book ... but the Namibia side of things drew me in. Oh I know ... 54 nations on the continent of Africa ... speaking over 2,000 languages ...
Binti - the character is very endearing ... it's a wonderful book ...
@ Diane - interesting you only buy books you'll both enjoy - sensible! Nigel may well enjoy the technical aspects ... it's a fascinating story. I'm so pleased to see it's on your wish-list, at least!
@ Rosey - thank you for the wishes to Mary ... I thought her comment was very appropriate. I hope you'll get to read it ...
@ Jacqui - yes I know you'd have to check it out ... and I'd never have looked at Amazon for comments ... my few comments please me enough! 1900 though would 'worry me a little'??!! Thanks for the Amazon link ...
@ Janice - oh brilliant ... I think and know you'll enjoy it - I'm not sure if you've lived out in Africa, if not lots of interesting ideas to get to grips with ...
@ Yam - great I knew you'd add it to your list ...
Thanks so much - I'm thrilled you're all interested in these two books - I might get Noor out of the library ... enjoy your reads - when they come around. Cheers Hilary
Thank you. Drat you. I really don't need any more books - but lust after these.
It sounds like that would work better than sunscreen. I read someplace that mud was how our ancestors prevented sunburns. This sounds similar.
I also read someplace that in English, blue was the last color to be named. And it's fascinating to think about a culture that doesn't have a name for the sky's color. It's so background that you wouldn't name it. I wonder if that society was similar for colors.
Great post, Hilary! I hope others discover Nnedi and broaden their perception of the world. Noor is fantastic. I will definitely read more of her books.
@ EC - thanks ... it's worth a read ... and I hope when I get to read Noor I'll enjoy it as much as I did Binti ... I'm sure you will too!
@ Liz - yes, I guess as mud is used by animals, and as you mention possibly by humans earlier on.
I was going to post about colour ... but there was a lot of information and I couldn't easily find anything that made sense to me. I think you're right that blue was one of the last colours to be described .. though I see there's considerably more information available now ... I was looking about 15 years ago ... amazing how much has become known.
@ Mary - lovely to see you and I wish you all the best with your treatment. It looks as though everyone who's commented is interested in Nnedi's books ... I loved Binti and now I need to read Noor. Great post and review you gave us ... thank you!
Cheers and thanks so much for being interested in these two books - and Mary all the very best - with thoughts - Hilery
Interesting about the low skin cancer rate, isn't it?
Cheers.
Interesting post. I'll have to look for those books. As for colour perception, it's always puzzled me why we see pink as a distinct colour rather than simply light red. We don't treat light blue or green or orange the same way. Yes, we have lots of names for particular shades, but for example sky blue is still seen as a shade of blue, whereas we tend not to see pink as a shade of red.
@ Sandra - it is interesting about the low skin cancer rate ... we really should pay more attention to indigenous traditions ...
@ Ian - the books are really fascinating. The colour perception is something we don't understand - I've found out more, since I wrote this post (a day or two ago)!!
In Wiki is the "blue-green distinction in language"; while in Red - there's a sub-link of shades of pink ... and if one goes further into this aspect of 'colour' - there's more information. It makes informative reading ...
Thanks to the two of you for commenting ... the colour distinction seems to be language led ... but I leave you to check out 'things'. Cheers Hilary
thanks for this post. I will use your recommendation for my friends book club. Perhaps our next reading choice...I wish to expand my world reading horizons.
Hi Hilary, this is so interesting to read. AfricanFuturism is making its mark in many ways. Apart from that the use of a particular pigment used by Binti and the Namibian Himba community sounds as if this could be further researched for all who contract skin cancer, including the fair skinned.
All best wishes to you, Susan
I hope Mary is doing well. We used to comment on each other's blogs for years. I think she was one of the original blogs I started commenting on. I think I ran into a problem when she changed her blog and I had trouble commenting. I wish her all the best and hope the treatments worked!
This trilogy sounds amazing. Thanks for the background information. Interesting about the red mixture used for sun protection. It makes sense- as I know there are animals that secret red ointments which protect against the sun too (like hippos).
Thanks for sharing!
Jess
@ Joanne - pleasure ... I'm sure you'll enjoy the book and it'll be a great introduction to various aspects of life for your book club friends. Lots to think about from it ...
@ Susan - I've been fascinated at what I'm finding to read about re creative developments in Africa ... this book/story made so much sense re my Ma and my visit to the Namib in the late 1980s ... brought back lots of memories.
I only heard of the word 'otjize' via the book ... as I'd never heard of it before - but it makes so much sense; also it makes sense to establish the properties that are used in 'otjize'. We westerners are looking at indigenous substances to learn about their ingredients ... which we should have done decades ago ...
Thanks to you both for being here ... loved the comments - cheers Hilary
@ Jess - delighted to see you ... and to see you were in contact regularly with Mary Pax - it sounds, via FB, like she's easier today - long may it last. Cancer is dreadful ...
I didn't know hippos secreted a pigment to protect against the sun - but must look into the things you described as secret red ointments ... there's so much we don't know. I know hippos spend a lot of time in water and use mud as a protective layer ...
Delighted you enjoyed the post - also reading about Mary and her treatment ... you'll enjoy the book, I'm sure ... cheers Hilary
Nnedi Okorafor is now on my to-be-read list, Hilary. Thank you! I loved Namibia too and went in 1990 just after independence was declared. It is a country that has remained in my heart forever more.
Thank you for this very thought-provoking review, Hilary. I agree that (even when we try to escape it, or allow ourselves to remain ignorant it), we do carry pieces of our culture with us wherever we go.
Thanks also to linking to Mary's site. My understanding from the posts that I read is that her comments are turned off.
@ Val - you're on my list to visit. I know you too have SA links and love for that part of the world. I'm so pleased you went before too many changes occurred ... as you say it's a stunning part of the world. I'm so pleased Nnedi Okorafor is now on your TBR list.
@ Donna - yes ... Mary, due to her treatment, has turned comments off on her blog, I got clarification from her. I hope you'll read Binti ... it's a fascinating read.
I know I carry my culture around with me ... and actually I don't want to lose it - it's built 'my history'.
Thanks to you both - cheers Hilary
Thank you Hillary...I found Binti by Nnedi Okorafor in the bookstore and even in my language...great.
Thank you very much.
I wish you a nice week.
Reading - sewing - enjoying nature - plus all things that have to be.
Hi Viola - it's a pleasure to see you here - and congratulations on your recent post ... you're a talented lady. Oh and I'm so pleased you've found Binti in your local bookstore in your German (I think) language ... enjoy. You too have a happy week - cheers Hilary
I know very little about Namibia and it's fascinating, as always, when you open the curtain, Hilary! Thanks for sharing the links and the info.
Thanks for the recommendation. I always enjoy meeting new (to me) authors.
@ Elizabeth - this is lovely to read ... I hope you get to read her book/s - it does open the door to that part of the world ... while the characters are very cleverly written ...
@ Dan - pleasure ... it'll be up your street! Enjoy ...
Cheers and thanks to you both - Happy Fourth too ... Hilary
High praise indeed to get kudos from Neil Gaiman.
YOU, have an enjoyable one.
Cheers,
These have been on my TBR. I have the first one, I might have also picked up the second. Looks like I'll be in for a treat.
July 4 is Alice in Wonderland Day, a commemoration of when the story was first told to the Liddell sisters by Lewis Carroll in 1862.
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction &Reference Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
Thanks so much for this, Hilary. I missed Mary's review, and this book sounds very worthwhile.
@ Sandra - yes ... that's what I thought - if Gaiman had praised her writing ... and he's right! Life ticks along at this time of year ...
@ JL - thanks - I'm glad you've heard of both Binti and Noor - enjoy the reads.
@ Lee - they are worth reading - so I'm glad I picked up Mary's two posts on the two books. I'm not sure where I first heard of Binti - but I've heard the book mentioned on a couple of occasions on the BBC. So I thought they'd be interesting stories ... now I need to read Noor.
Cheers to the three of you - all the best - Hilary
I think African culture is fascinating. Thanks for sharing this book.
Thanks Sherry - good to see you and to know you're fascinated by the various cultures of Africa and its many countries.
You'll enjoy Binti - as there are cave dwellings too - which are a fact in that part of southern Africa ... it's made me think.
Cheers - Hilary
It’s been too long since I was able to visit, but as always, you have a new gem for me.
I have been very interested in African tales recently, and I am glad to her our friend Mary Pax led you to this talented author
I also appreciate hearing about MPax herself. I will be praying for her - chemo is horrible, but she’s strong.
All the best to you, Hilary!
Tara Tyler Talks
Very cool. This sounds like an intriguing read. I missed Mary's post on it. Thank you for sharing!
Hey Hilary! Thanks for introducing me to Binti. Sounds like a great read!
@ Tara - it's always good to see you when time allows ... and I'm happy that Mary gave me the prompt to write up this book ... so well worth it. Also I'm pleased you noted Mary's ongoing situation with that dreadful disease ... I too sincerely hope things will continue going her way to healing fully.
@ Holly - it is an intriguing read ... and I'm pleased you noted about Mary.
@ Denise - yes, you'll enjoy reading Binti - lots of thought from this Africanfuturism trilogy ...
Cheers to you three - lovely to see you - Hilary
Have a lovely weekend, Hils.
Thanks Sandra - thankfully my boiler's been fixed and I have hot water for a bath - amongst other things!! Cheers Hilary
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