Children's Book
Samba Lives in Africa Adventure Ninki Nanka
An independent continuation of the Picture Book Samba Lives in Africa, dealing with the themes of international understanding,
harmony and unity in greater detail.
Suitable for use by junior school age, interesting for high school and adults.
The world of yesterday clearly outlined: Somebody called
Columbus
Today: China week at the supermarket, 2 weeks in Mexico all inclusive. What do we know about life in other countries, about
our next door
neighbor, black, listening to Youssou Ndour instead of Beethoven?
Tomorrow: Communication technology, the world at your fingertips. Can thoughts and feelings be read by remote control?
To experience a foreign country in its full depth, to discover your own heritage, almost no trace of it existing anymore, respectful bonds between old age and infancy. Humanity still has a place between computer and high tech in our nursery.
Bon Voyage! The journey
begins.
Samba, a quick witted 8 year old, lives in The Gambia, a child brought up
between sun and sand, game boy and football, visits his 80 year old
grandfather and learns of the legend of the dragon Ninki Nanka,
guardian of power, wisdom and fortune still thriving in the world of
Gambian sagas, making the River Gambia its
home.
Samba decides to seek out this magical dragon and sets off in search of Ninki Nanka along the 440km river, traveling through 3 West African countries, encountering sorcerers, historians, traditional musicians, fortune tellers, learning about nature, sharing his breakfast with the baboons and his evenings with the hyenas. Historical sites show the sad history, colorful markets show the daily reality. Samba makes 13 stops along the way to visit places and people, his aim being to find out more about Ninki Nanka. He travels by lorry through Senegal Oriental and finally to the Futa Diallon Highlands, to the source of the River Gambia, in Guinea Conakry.
Samba writes his adventures in the form of 11 letters to his friends Frank, Bettina, Stefanie, Francisca and to his friends all over the world. Samba tells his story as it happens, in a language appropriate to his age.