Two Thousand Seasons

by Ayi Kwei Armah

Book Overview

A young group inexorably rebels against the forces destroying Africa. By the author of Fragments and The Healers. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 2911928032
• ISBN13: 9782911928031
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Lushena Books
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Brilliant!!!!

Two Thousand Seasons by Ayi Kwei Armah (...) African scholar and historian John Henrik Clarke once pointed out that in colonizing the world, Europeans also colonized information about the world. The savage theft of land and resources, the wholesale murder of millions - this physical assault was accompanied by an ideological assault from which Africans are still trying to recover. In recent years, many of us have stepped up to challenge the backward, racist ideology that permeates much of what is written about African people, history and culture. Ayi Kwei Armah is one author who has taken on the task of reconstructuring out story. The body of work he has produced is just one example of how even creative outlets can be used to further our struggle for liberation. Armah's novel Two Thousand Seasons was first published in 1973 and was reprinted last year by Per Ankh, an African publishing cooperative based in Senegal. Its significance is profound for all Africans fighting to reclaim out stolen land and resources, primarily because it tells a story built upon the progressive theories of African revolutionaries such as Nkrumah, Garvey and Diop. Armah lays the foundation for this in the opening pages of the novel by asserting that "we are not a people of yesterday," "that we black people are one people we know," and that "[Africa] is ours, not through murder, nor through theft, not by violence or any other trickery. This has always been our land. Here we began." Two Thousand Seasons is a fictionalized account of the attack on Africa that has taken place over the last 1,000 years. Using the collective voice of a particular group, it traces the overall development of African history as it has unfolded for countless millions of our people. Beginning in eastern Africa, the story follows a people as they encounter and are subjugated by Arabs, forcing them to migrate to the western part of the continent where they come up against the horrors of the slave trade. Ultimately, they enter into a campaign of resistance that continues even beyond the novel's end. History of Role of Women, Religion and Social Equality A number of issues related to our current struggle to reclaim Africa are addressed in the book. Questions concerning women, religion, and social equality are dealt with, all within the context of a fierce struggle to resist foreign domination. These elements combine to form the novel's basic premise - that the liberation of a land and resources is a necessary first step in reclaiming a way of thinking and understanding the world that has been battered, corrupted and altered by foreign influence. Throughout the story, Armah propagates the legitimacy and appropriateness of a worldview that is intrinsically African. He simply calls this worldview "the way" or "our way." "The way" is not a religion; in fact, the term religion is discarded in all descriptions of traditional African thought. The dialectic term "reciprocity" is used instead

My favorite book of all time?

Armah is obviously a medium for the Ancestors. His work is clearly a message from our past and its life transforming. It helps us understand why the african slavetrade took place and what will need to happen to heal that experience. it is a history book, a life guide - my favorite book of all time. period.

Riveting and Soul Stirring

This is a literature in its truest form, the words, the style of writing, so beautiful, so mesmerizing, as the words take form, taking you on this journey. I have to admit, i found the first couple of chapters a difficult read. Its packed! You understand so much and yet so little, as you read on, it nicely unravels its mysteries.As is obvious from other reviews, TTS is hard to sum up. I try.It is a soulful journey into the greed, materialism, pain, struggle, betrayal, pride and beauty of the continent, everyone is present, the Nigerian, Ghanian, South African etc. Destruction reigns and can only be uprooted by returning to "the way, our way". A glimmer of hope is offered by the rise of a few visionaries who come to see the truth of this, and stand determined to fight the good fight, the fight against destruction. Nevermind that it was first published c.1974, the wisdom contained in this book remains poignant. Few see. Some of these lack true conviction to take action. "The way" largely remains shunned and despised. Zombism is crowned, as mindless following remains the order of the day. I strongly recommend buying this book, and please read it. My review does it very little justice. Also, if you have not been fortunate to read 'The Beautiful Ones are not yet Born' then please do so.

The Best Book Ever Written

This book plainly states the path to rejuvenation of African people...return to the way, our way...meaning return to African culture which gives African people strength...the strength that allowed us to create kingdoms and full fledged civilizations, intellectual centers before Europe existed. The first page brought tears to my eyes. I read this book every day as if I was married to it. It will resurrect you with its imagery and rejuvenate your spirit...and simply reconnect you with your African self. It is poetry, it is music...it is drums beating inside your soul. Read this book, and buy it for all of your friends.

Life-Changing

Simply put: For myself, this book has proven to be one of those life-changing books. Armah makes it very clear why we as Afrikan people (continental and diasporic) continue to 'wander in the wilderness.' We've simply lost our way...'The Way' that the Divine gave to our ancestors. After reading/studying this book, it is very clear to me that no other 'Way' works for us.