Aunjanue ellis and lyriq bent, stars of the book of negroes, explain how aminata diallo is a revolutionary feminist character in the story. This is a historical fiction book that draws you into history through emotional storytelling and factual information. But years later, she forges her way to freedom, serving the british in the revolutionary war, registering her name in the historic book of negroes and eventually travelling back to africa. Jan 18, 2007 based on a true story, the book of negroes tells the story of aminata, a young girl abducted from her village in mali aged 11 in 1755, and who, after a deathly journey on a slave ship where she witnesses the brutal repression of a slave revolt, is sold to a plantation owner in south carolina, who rapes her. This exploration begins at the onset of the abolition period in europe and details her account in the transatlantic slave trade. The book of negroes previously published as someone knows my name book. Aminata diallo is kidnapped from africa as a child and sold as a slave in south carolina. The book of negroes summary and study guide supersummary. I have begun to admire aminata diallo who was stolen from her village at the age of 11 to become a slave. Aminata diallo the protagonist of the novel, aminata is a black slave who was originally born in nigeria but was taken by slave traders at the tender age of 11 and sent to america.
She is then enslaved in south carolina, where she works on a plantation. As a young child, she is abducted from her hometown, bayo, and was forced to become a part of chattel slavery. The book of negroes book two for the love of books. Kidnapped in africa and subsequently enslaved in south carolina, aminata must navigate a revolution in new york, isolation in nova scotia, and the treacherous jungles of sierra leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom in the eighteenth century. The book of negroes why aminata diallo is a feminist heroine. Has specific moon shape scars on each cheek to represent what village she is from. Lawrence hill combines the lives of some of those transported former slaves into one woman, aminata diallo, who he gives the task of entering their names into the militarys record.
Unless you were in the book of negroes, you couldnt escape to canada. A work of historical fiction, the book of negroes tells the story of aminata diallo, who is captured by slave traders in africa and brought to america. Aminata diallo, the daughter of a jeweller and a midwife, is kidnapped at the age of 11 from her village bayo, niger in west africa and forced to walk for three. Abducted as a child from her village in west africa and forced to walk for months to the sea, aminata diallo is sent to live as a slave in south carolina.
Le titre original du roman est the book of negroes, ou parfois someone. But years later, she forges her way to freedom, serving the british in the. My character, an african woman named aminata diallo whose story is based on this history, has to get into the book before she gets out. The book of negroes and the ongoing fight for equality in. The book of negroes doit enormement a roots series tv. She witnessed the deaths of both of her parents and was kidnapped and taken away to be sold into slavery.
The book of negroes book san francisco public library. The hard part is is absorbing all she had to overcome after she was kidnapped as a. I dont mean the blackamerica slave, but the african slave. The book of negroes the book of negroes is a masterpiece. Abducted as an elevenyearold child from her village in west africa and put to work on an indigo plantation on the sea islands of south carolina, aminata survives by using midwifery skills learned at. Abducted as a child from her village of bayo and subsequently enslaved in south carolina, aminata diallo wants nothing more than to secure her freedom and.
A universal story of loss, courage and triumph, the book of negroes recounts the extraordinary journey of aminata diallo, an indomitable african woman who. Readers will follow the story of aminata, an unforgettable heroine who cut a swath through an 18thcentury world hostile to her colour and her sex. Aminata s wide experience is crucial for the abolitionist movement, her unique knowledge and skills resulted to a vast field of experiences of the heartless african slavery. I found this novel to be a rewarding and easy read, with well written prose and an interesting story. The the book of negroes community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. The book of negroes tv miniseries 2015 the book of. She goes on to bear two children and eventually becomes a spokesperson against slavery by the end of the novel. Apr 25, 2015 having originally aired in january on cbc television in canada, the book of negroes premiered on bet this week to american audiences. The hard part is is absorbing all she had to overcome after she was kidnapped as a child in 18th century africa and sold into slavery. Aminata s story illustrates the physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, religious and economic violations of the slave trade.
It is rich with authenticity, and empowering despite the genre it covers. Pdf the book of negroes book by lawrence hill free download. The book of negroes, based on the award winning novel by lawrence hill, wednesdays at 9pm9 on cbc. It is 502 pages long and split into four books with a total of 21 chapters.
It is inspired by the african americans who were resettled in nova scotia, and some of them who later chose to go to sierra leone, where they created a colony of freedmen in africa. Aminata s story illustrates the physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, religious, and economic violations of the transatlantic slave trade. Apr 25, 2019 the book of negroes by lawrence hill attempts to make sense of the transatlantic slave trade through the fictional story of its main character, aminata diallo. In the book of negroes, a child named aminata diallo is taken from her home in africa by the americans and the british, and is forced into slavery. This 81page guide for the book of negroes by lawrence hill includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 21 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. Abducted as an 11yearold child from her village in west africa and forced to walk for months to the sea in a cofflea string of slaves aminata diallo is sent to live as a slave in south carolina. Mentally, her mind is at ease as she writes her story and it. In the novel the book of negroes, a young slave girl, aminata diallo, is faced with numerous physical struggles. Characters kcoventry kcoventry the book of negroes. Kidnapped by slave traders in west africa and subsequently enslaved in south carolina, aminata must navigate her way. The novel the book of negroes, written by lawrence hill depicts the life of a female african named aminata, and her rough journey while having to endure slavery.
The book of negroes is a historical novel by lawrence hill that tells the story of aminata diallo, a black woman who is taken from her village in africa and sold into slavery in america. The book of negroes based on the novel someone knows my name will be bets first miniseries. Book of negroes reveals littleknown chapter in history the boston. Based on the awardwinning novel by lawrence hill, the book of negroes tells the story of aminata diallo after her capture and the pain she endured as part of the transatlantic slave trade. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of negroes. The controversial title itself comes from a real historical document that was a record of the slaves who were given freedom by the british called the book of negroes. Il est inspire du document historique book of negroes redige en 1783 et fait luimeme lobjet dune adaptation en miniserie en 2015. Damon doliveira, lawrence hill, clement virgo, louis gossett jr, lyriq bent attend the book of negroes launch party at tiff bell lightbox on november 18, 2014 in toronto, canada. Meet the book of negroes young aminata, shailyn pierredixon. The british accepted that responsibility, transporting 3000 negroes from new york city to nova scotia, still a fledgling atlantic coast colony. Losing her husband losing her children losing herparents aminata had two children, the first, a boy and the second a girl. Aminata helps pen the book of negroes, a list of british loyalistsupporting former slaves rewarded with safe passage to nova scotia. Like i had learned that there were times when fighting was impossible, when the best thing to do was to wait and to learn. In its first miniseries, the book of negroes, bet, in partnership with.
The book of negroes is set in the mid 1700s to early 1800s and is told from the perspective of a woman named aminata diallo who, as a young girl, was abducted from her village in west africa. The idea find the best platform to present each element narrative, characters and history in most effective way and reach the broader audience. In my country, few people have complained to me about the title, and nobody continues to do so after i explain its historical origins. The book of negroes and the ongoing fight for equality in america 02232015 04. Ondi the novel the book of negroes, written by lawrence hill depicts the life of a female african named aminata, and her rough journey while having to endure slavery. Shailyn pierredixon is an exciting new face to watch on cbctvs the book of negroes. The protagonist of the novel, aminata is a black slave who was originally born in nigeria but was taken by slave traders. In 1750, elevenyearold aminata diallo is abducted and taken captive from her village in west africa by agents of the v.
Billed as being in the tradition of roots, but perhaps closer in scope to its sequel queen, the book of negroes is an. Feb 16, 2015 admiring aminata diallo comes easy in the book of negroes. The book of negroes aunjanue ellis on why aminata is a modern. Admiring aminata diallo comes easy in the book of negroes. So is the book of negroes lead character aminata diallo. A universal story of loss, courage and triumph, the book of negroes recounts the extraordinary journey of aminata diallo, an indomitable african woman who survives in a world in which everything seems to be against her. At the age of 11, aminata was ambushed by manstealers on the way home from another village with her mother. The book of negroes tells the story of aminata diallo, who makes this same journey after she is captured by slave traders in africa and brought to america. The 11yearold portrays the young aminata diallo in. She is kidnapped by a gang of slave traders along with a number of others from her village and is forced to walk alongside them for three months all the way to the docks where she is to be sent to be america.
The book of negroes by lawrence hill attempts to make sense of the transatlantic slave trade through the fictional story of its main character, aminata diallo. Free download or read online the book of negroes pdf epub book. The sixpart bet miniseries follows the life of aminata diallo, a young african girl. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 470 pages and is available in paperback format. Was the book of negroes aminata diallo a real person. From childhood to adulthood, aminata faces many tragedies and has many horrifying experiences. As hill notes, unless you were in the book of negroes, you could not escape to canada. With aunjanue ellis, lyriq bent, ben chaplin, allan hawco. Aminata diallo is this singular champion, who in a stirring bet miniseries becomes the author of the reallife book of negroes, a historical document compiled in 1783 by order of the british military at the end of the revolutionary war.
Sep 23, 2012 aminata diallo, canadian, lawrence hill, slavery, someone knows my name, the book of negroes. The book of negroes book vancouver island regional. London, england 1802 while in london she is given the opportunity to write her story, which is something. She lived in bayo, a small village in africa, and was the daughter of mamadu diallo and sira kulibali. The book of negroes by lawrence hill february 28, 2014 uncategorized colonialism, lawrence hill, slavery, the book of negroes kwetoday lawrence hills the book of negroes 2007 is a fictional exploration into the life of aminata diallo as a young black girl to her life as an elderly woman. The book of negroes summary as the novel begins, we are introduced to our protagonist aminata diallo, an 11yearold girl from nigeria. Jerry maguire, a few good men, oscar and emmy winner louis gossett jr. Speaks both bamanankan mothers language and fulfude fathers language is a freeborn muslim. Aminata diallo is sent to live as a slave in south carolina. Readers follow aminata diallos firstperson slave narrative from her abduction as a child to her death as an elderly woman. This interactive companion outlines the history of the transatlantic slave trade and how this is reflected and examined in lawrence hills awardwinning novel and bet television miniseries, the book of negroes. The bet miniseries the book of negroes premieres feb. Virgo tells the story of aminata diallo aunjanue ellis, the help.
Lawrence hills the book of negroes 2007 is a fictional exploration into the life of aminata diallo as a young black girl to her life as an elderly woman. Lawrence hills the book of negroes is an account of the fictional character of aminata diallo based around certain factual events. Her identity is a teacher, mother and story teller. The book of negroes depicts the extraordinary life journey of aminata diallo an indomitable african woman who cuts a swath through a world that is predisposed to underestimate her. To engage the audience with the book of negroes compelling narrative and characters, while underscoring the true historical foundations for the story of aminata diallo. Through an intimate portrait of the life of one remarkable woman, aminata diallo, hill shines a light on this forgotten chapter of canadian history in the context of a sweeping story that encompasses three continents. The first edition of the novel was published in january 18th 2007, and was written by lawrence hill.
Aminata shares her story, which conveys the hardship, struggle, and historical reality that many africans faced, of being abducted at a young age and forced to work under the orders of another. Kidnapped by slave traders in west africa then sold into slavery in south caro. Fleeing to canada after the revolutionary war, she escapes to attempt a new life in freedom. Aminata diallo is a brave soul, an abolitionist, a feminist and she is. The starstudded production includes lead actress aunjanue ellis ray, the help, oscar winner cuba gooding jr. Aminata looses her identity when she is taken from her home, and through her journey she creates a new identity. Readers follow protagonist aminata diallos firstperson slave narrative from her abduction as a child to her imminent death as an elderly woman. Aminata 20 you must learn respect then you must learn to hide your disrespect. Feb 16, 2015 the bet miniseries the book of negroes premieres feb. The book of negroes does something that most slavegenres do not. The sixpart miniseries is based on canadian author lawrence hills 2007 novel of the same name, and on the historical document from 1783, which records names and descriptions of 3,000 africanamerican slaves who escaped to british lines during the american.
The book of negroes is a multiaward winning novel written by lawrence hill. Book of negroes aminatas journey by kiersten briscoe on prezi. Abducted as a child from her village of bayo and subsequently enslaved in south carolina, aminata diallo wants nothing more than to secure her freedom and one day return home. While the book of negroes addresses the painful history of slavery in the south, it expands the story to new york, canada, africa and beyond telling it all, of course. The book of negroes illuminates a journey to freedom. Feb, 2015 the story of diallo s journey and her mission to save herself and other enslaved people unfolds in the miniseries the book of negroes, which will be televised over three nights on bet beginning. Rosa lindo amy louise wilsonthe pregnant wife to solomon, rosa quickly develops a deep connection with aminata as she prepares to have her baby.
This event triggers her life of hardships as a slave, which is documented by the book of negroes. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. The book of negroes by lawrence hill 46 words bartleby. Aminata s loss of relationships in the book of negroes, the hardest hurdles that aminata faces are those that include losing her loved ones. To begin, by the time aminata diallo is able to walk, she accompanies her mother, sira diallo. The canadian novelist lawrence hill wrote the book of negroes 2007, published in the united states as someone knows my name. Based on the awardwinning novel by lawrence hill, the book of negroes tells the story of aminata diallo after her capture and the pain she. In manhattan, aminata helps pen the book of negroes, a list of british loyalistsupporting former slaves rewarded with safe passage to nova scotia. But years later, she forges her way to freedom, serving the british in the revolutionary war and registering her name in the historic book of negroes. Jan 23, 2020 a work of historical fiction, the book of negroes tells the story of aminata diallo, who is captured by slave traders in africa and brought to america. The book of negroes the abolitionist movement essay cram. Aminata diallo is the main character of the book of negroes.
The book of negroes historical guide on the app store. Her skills and knowledge that she got from her parents made a huge role on her survival that brought her to a unique experience of slavery. The book of negroes illuminates a journey to freedom aunjanue ellis as main character aminata diallo in the bet miniseries the book of negroes. Young aminata diallo characters the book of negroes. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are aminata diallo. Aminata is a black slave, she builds strong relationships with people she meets in her life, and she uses them to her get. Aminata diallo 8 i remember wondering, within a year or two of taking my first steps, why only men sat to drink tea and converse, and why women were always busy.