The Guardians of Saveba: An African Fantasy

(Paperback)

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"The Guardians of Saveba" is a fantasy adventure story of a young African hero whose sterling character, bravery, and link to the spiritual world make him the perfect protector of Savebathe only kingdom in West Africa to escape the scourge of foreign enslavement and colonialism. Despite the tragic backdrop of the Transatlantic slave trade, this is a positive tale replete with castles, kings and queens, villains, killer hawks, the underworld, and romance. Dive into this one-of-a-kind story of hope where people and animals unite to conquer evil. Although haunting images of the Middle Passage appear throughout the text, these painful symbols do not diminish the optimism at the core of the story nor the courage and integrity of the African people.

Unlike most legendary warriors, Sema is a gentle soul who abhors anger and confrontation. He is a brilliant artist and peacemaker who is more at home carving stone and creating music than battling foes and humiliating those who do not possess his gifts. Unaware of his exceptional identity, Sema lives an ordinary life in the village, along with his sister, as the foster child of King Tenkamenin and Queen Malia. However, midway through the story, he learns that he is a member of the Guardian Line, spiritual emissaries created many years ago by benevolent gods to protect Saveba from the destruction that has overtaken much of Africa. Embracing his sacred charge, Sema travels through the portals of time and space to confront the sinister otherworldly beings plotting to destroy Saveba.

Author Bio

Barbara Griffin is Associate Professor of African American Literature at Howard University.