The west African night breezes, intimate and shy, licked the hair, pierced the cotton dresses with an inappropriate familiarity, and then vanished into the absolute darkness.
This is how Maya Angelou begins the account of her stay in Ghana, an important step in her search for the Motherland.
Maya Angelou's description of the west African night breezes sets a vivid and almost sensual tone for her narrative. The use of words like "intimate" and "familiarity" gives the reader a sense of the close connection between the environment and the people. The breezes seem to have a life of their own, caressing and exploring before disappearing into the darkness. This opening not only grabs the reader's attention but also foreshadows the significance of her stay in Ghana. It is here that she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and connection to her roots. The mention of the "Motherland" emphasizes the importance of this place in her search for identity and belonging. As the story unfolds, we can expect to learn more about her experiences in Ghana and how they shape her understanding of herself and her place in the world.
And now, let's turn our attention to Maya Angelou's fifth autobiography, "All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes." This remarkable book consists of 240 pages divided into 42 chapters. Interestingly, most of these chapters are quite short, which is ideal for those who tend to get easily distracted. Naturally, I highly recommend reading the entire series to fully understand the depth and evolution of Maya Angelou's life and experiences. However, this particular volume seems to possess an independent soul of its own.
Maya had finally wholeheartedly embraced her Africanism by spending significant and meaningful time in Ghana. Whether it was fate or chance that brought her back to the black continent, one might wonder if she had become complacent. But as we delve into the pages of this book, we are met with a flood of emotions and touching moments. If none of these manage to touch your heart and get under your skin, then I truly don't know what else could.
If you've ever felt insecure at any point in your life, found yourself constantly torn between comforting faith and doubtful denial, fought for a cause despite realizing you had little chance of winning, or had to prove yourself to people you owed nothing to, then Maya Angelou's works are truly made for you. Her words have the power to resonate deeply within us and offer us a sense of understanding and connection.
And now we come to Maya Angelou's fifth autobiography; All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes. This is a 240 pages book which has 42 chapters but most of them are super tiny which is perfect if you get easily distracted. Naturally I recommend reading the entire series, but somehow this volume has an independent soul. Maya had finally embraced her Africanism by spending some quality time in Ghana. Fate or chance brought her back to the black continent but was she complacent enough?
There is a flood of emotions and touching moments portrayed in this book, and if none of that managed to get under your skin then I don't know what on earth would. If you've ever felt insecure at some point of your life, found yourself in a constant battle between comforting faith and doubtful denial, fought for a cause with the realization that you have little chance to win, had to prove yourself to people you don't owe them shit, then Maya's works were made for you.
Two great people gather together in Ghana: Malcolm X and Maya Angelou.
__________
\\n Maya Angelou's Autobiographies:\\n
1) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
2) Gather Together in My Name.
3) Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas.
4) The Heart of a Woman.
5) All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes.
6) A Song Flung Up to Heaven.
In the 1960s, she had an engaging autobiographical story of her time living in Ghana. In her lovely style, she made a comparison between her experience of black Americans and the African experience. She pointed out how they differed but also had similarities. She vividly told of the fascinating people she met there. There was a visit by Malcolm X, which was truly memorable. She also had the opportunity to meet the President of Liberia. Her piercing insights into herself were always enlightening. Every one of her autobiographies has been truly awesome, captivating readers with her unique perspective and the rich tapestry of her life experiences.