It is the vacations, a good time to study our heritage! Khadija Seck desires to grab this chance to assist kids from the African diaspora get in contact with their nations of origin. By way of Alima and the Magical Balafon, a ebook concerning the magical journey of an African lady, scheduled to be launched in July 2023, this Senegalese writer who considers herself a world citizen, desires to present kids from the continent, whether or not residing overseas or not, an opportunity to reconnect with their roots. The ebook is impressed by the writer’s personal journey from Senegal to France, and even Brazil the place she graduated highschool. Presently in Dakar to current her ebook on Saturday, July 8th, Khadija granted an unique interview to allafrica.com to speak about her work and tasks.
Are you able to inform us about your ebook, Alima and the Magical Balafon?
It is a kids’s ebook meant for youths aged 3 to eight, which I wrote and illustrated. I’ve written many little tales and made tons of drawings, however that is the primary time I’ve mixed my two passions on this ebook.
The ebook is self-published, which means I did not work with any publishing home. I took care of the whole lot myself, from the textual content to the illustrations, in addition to the distribution and communication.
What’s the essential theme of the ebook, and why did you select that one?
The story is impressed by my niece Alima Rose, and options slightly lady from the diaspora named Alima. She is of Senegalese origin however she was born and raised overseas, so she would not actually know a lot about her nation of origin. In the future, her grandmother who came visiting the household, offers her a musical instrument that leaves Alima unconvinced. Nonetheless, it seems to be a magical balafon, during which lives a genie who has made it his mission to assist her uncover her homeland.
The explanation I selected this theme is that, having spent half of my life within the diaspora and after discussing with household, mates, and acquaintances, I observed {that a} widespread problem in elevating African kids out of the country is creating a long-lasting reference to their roots. I additionally had a number of conversations, together with a decisive one with my elder sister, which highlighted the necessity for high quality literary supplies that includes Black kids and speaking about Senegal and extra broadly, Africa.
So does the ebook goal African kids residing within the diaspora?
Initially, sure. Then, whereas discussing my mission with my household based mostly in Senegal, they expressed the identical want as dad and mom within the diaspora. At first, I used to be stunned as a result of I assumed such books should already be obtainable in Dakar.
However after conducting a market examine, I noticed that there’s certainly an actual demand right here. So what I initially conceived as an initiative for youngsters within the diaspora has taken on a brand new which means by together with kids based mostly in Senegal.
What are the important thing messages of the ebook?
The primary message I wish to convey is a constructive and enjoyable picture of Africa. I wish to present that there are numerous issues we might be happy with right here. As a result of what occurs typically to kids who’re born and raised overseas, for instance in France or the USA, is that they observe faculty packages and/or are uncovered to content material that painting Africa as a poor continent that’s all the time in want of assist. It is a depressing portrayal that may result in these youngsters growing and internalizing a way of disgrace. I wish to present them that, quite the opposite, there are many issues they are often happy with, thus creating a robust sense of pleasure and a way of belonging to the continent.
What are your prospects for the ebook? Do you intend to create extra?
That is the primary quantity of a sequence. The concept is that on this first quantity, little Alima will make a cultural discovery about Senegal. The next books will discover different features. I’m already engaged on the second quantity, during which she explores a spot in Senegal, maybe specializing in an environmental side. So it isn’t nearly tradition. There can be tales associated to geography, historical past, politics… It is really a complete mission that presents totally different features of Senegal and later different African nations to kids within the diaspora and on the continent.
What’s your supply of inspiration?
My inspiration comes from the conversations I’ve with kids and the questions they ask me. I got here to appreciate that I used to be taking quite a lot of the issues I learn about my nation without any consideration, as a result of I had realized them whereas rising up in Senegal. However it’s more durable for youngsters within the diaspora to get that information, as being raised overseas provides a layer of complexity for his or her dad and mom to determine and keep a reference to their origins and transmit this cultural wealth to them.
Nonetheless, the kids based mostly right here even have quite a bit to find about Senegal. Even I, regardless of rising up right here, am studying increasingly on daily basis by my analysis. I notably benefit from the inventive means of translating the outcomes of that analysis into illustrations and texts that can stimulate the creativeness of my younger readers.
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How do you intend to make sure that this ebook reaches all kids within the diaspora?
My ebook is already obtainable in French, and the English model, that I translated myself, can be launched in August 2023. I additionally plan on translating it into Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian to achieve the Senegalese diaspora current in these three nations, and I’m open to translations in different languages. Lastly, I intend to have it printed in Wolof as a result of this could be an excellent alternative to encourage kids to learn and write on this language.
Proper now, I think about that we’re initially of a stupendous journey. For now, Alima and the Magical Balafon is a ebook, however I can envision reworking it into an animated sequence as a result of kids reply very nicely to that medium. Earlier than beginning this mission, I used to work in a totally totally different area, and I’m at the moment within the means of transitioning careers to develop into an illustrator and an idea artist. I’m learning to have the ability to create comics and animated films sooner or later. I’ve some thrilling issues in retailer for my readers!
