The author found golden earrings and a million memories when she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Somalia. Listen to the stars dancing over Somalia and hear tales of warriors and camel herders, songs at the wells and melodies in every footstep.
Moira, a young Peace Corps Volunteer, stretched her senses to soak in every story, every song that was around her. Her missteps tossed a beautiful young woman into a whipping circle, and denied her students the futures they had worked so hard to obtain.
Moira’s successes were few. Even her search for a lesbian lover in the labyrinth that was Mogadishu seemed hopeless.
Moira was shaken to her very core when she stumbled on The Ritual, female circumcision, carried out in a hidden hut in the bush country, the Ritual that rips all feelings of sexual pleasure from between a young girl’s legs.
Through it all the Somali Goddess Arawello spreads her protective arms, reaching through wars and famines to reach her people. Once Arawello brought Peace by turning men into eunuchs, and may do so again.
This is a journey of a young woman ready to meet the challenges of the world on her own terms, one who faces the terrors of bush country alongside the embrace of a lover in unlikely places. Moira faces challenges she never knew existed, and a love that envelopes her like an unfolding bird of paradise.
Through the turmoil and ecstasy, Moira's love for the Somali people deepens as she reluctantly realizes there is nothing -- nothing -- she can do to change their world to avert disaster. On the contrary, it is Somalia that changes her. She will never be the same again.
PRAISE FROM EARLY REVIEWERS!
“What I love most is the way you brought Islam into this. There is such a stigma against Islam in the West, I think the delicate and peaceful way (Islam = peace) that this was deliberately added to the text is very captivating, and alluring. I LOVE it!
“I am horrified just reading about it ("The Ritual"). Horrified because your description is so vivid….This has evoked such deep emotion in me; I am so proud of you for putting pen to paper so eloquently and doing this Ritual justice in all of its darkness.
“I feel so connected to you on so many levels for your sharing this with me, and for wanting me to read it. Your emotions feel like mine; I feel a Oneness with you in this, I have never felt this with ANYONE before, because so few people have been there and can understand.”
Heather C. Cumming, Executive Director and Founder, SSAAP
Simwatachela Sustainable Agricultural and Arts Program, providing an extensive network of human relief programs throughout East Africa
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“It is a captivating read and shows a unique perspective. Nicely done!”
Barb Dickinson, We Moonager,We Moon Date Book: Gaia Rhythms for Womyn, the premier date book for earth conscious women throughout the world
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“I read through several chapters this morning and am anxious to read the rest later. Your experience, of course, was very different [from mine], but is fascinating. Your writing is very descriptive and informative.”
Mary Gehman, a Mennonite teacher in Somalia for 23 years, and author of ABDI AND THE ELEPHANTS.
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“Powerful, painful finale!”
MaryBeth
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“Boring? Never! It is a window into a world I do not know. Well written, evocative, stirring.”
Madrone
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