The Healers-gctid39111

[KwameD]

I finished reading Ayi Kwei Armah's book "The Healers" a couple of days ago, it is SO good! And so funny in a number of parts. For instance the nincompoop/brute called "Ekow Buntui" is a major character in the story. The word 'Buntui' actually stands for "the brown stuff that comes out of one's backside"...lol...it is so funny that he used that name in the book. Anyway, that character deserved that name, imho. Then there is the aphrodisiac herb called "Bediwona", which I will not translate on this forum (the translation is in the book). Up till today, I can say the most colourful words in English but there are some words and phrases in Twi that I just can't bring myself to say, perhaps because of up-bringing.

The plot is utterly tragic and depressing in other parts of the book but that depicts another part of the reality of life.

Anyway, it's a great book. Armah champions the cause first of Akan unity and then unity among the various traditional groups and then further afield to more remote Kmtyw groups, ultimately leading to Kmtyw/Blak unity. Armah says that Akans were united in the far past, which is true, and inteteresting that he chooses 'Praso' as the meeting place of the healers. That is in the Adanse region, an area in present day Ghana where many Akan trace their roots to.

I really identified with the healers, especially with Densu and his mentor Damfo. Armah is definitely on some tip. The way this guy wrote the book, there was much truth in some of his descriptions about what seers are and even in the character development. He's certainly something special, I would love to meet him some day.

Unfortunately Indigenous people could not easily fight wars with more technologically leaning white people. It's the same story all over the globe. If you see the movie "The Last Samurai", you'll see how technological advantage makes great warriors seem like they cannot fight, when in fact given a level playing field, they would surely kick the asses of their opponents.

[Akua Ma'at]

Ampa! I too thoroughly enjoyed the Healers experience. There's something about the way Armah writes that pulls you into that world completely...even though you know you are so and so sitting in your living room in 2010 reading a book you FEEL like you're sitting right next to Densu and Damfo as they talk, you can feel aAmwa's pain when you look into her eyes...these people are right there with you and they are real. After reading Armah I feel like I'm in the twilight zone when I come back to this reality. He's a powerful scribe.

[Oluwole]

Meda ase Kwame for the inside information. Funny stuff. I am reading The Healers right now. Armah's style of writing is a skill that few possess.  Like my sister Aisha, I am transported everytime a open up his work and begin to read the pages.