Black Mamba Boy

Jemen, 1935. Accompanied by his friends young Jama, semi-wild and living on the streets, runs through the alleyways of Adens in search of food or a few coins.

When his mother dies early, Jama sets out, alone and vulnerable, on an odyssey through East Africa; through an area ravaged by the effects of colonialism and fascism. He travels to Somalia, to Djibouti, to Eritrea in the Sudan and finally to Egypt on a quest to find his unknown, but much longed for father and eventually to find work and establish a life for himself. Many years later, having become a sailor, Jama’s adventures lead him to England.

Based on the real-life experiences of her father, Nadifa Mohamed has written a beautiful, frightening and moving novel. Her debut novel, “Black Mumba Boy” has been translated into numerous languages and has been awarded a number of literary prizes.

Language: English/German