Kariba
Kariba by Daniel Clarke is a graphic novel published by Catalyst Press in 2023, featuring 230 pages in English. This African fantasy-adventure story follows Siku, the daughter of a river god, who is raised by her human father, Tongai. As a great dam is constructed on the Zambezi River, displacing the Shonga people, Siku’s unique connection to the water becomes increasingly complex. Her journey begins when her father goes missing while seeking a cure for her growing powers, prompting her to embark on an adventure filled with challenges and revelations.
Readers will find a rich narrative that intertwines elements of mythology and social themes, exploring Siku’s quest to uncover her true identity and the ancient powers she possesses. Alongside Amedeo, the son of the chief engineer, Siku navigates perilous landscapes and confronts various adversaries, all while grappling with the weight of her destiny. The story delves into the impact of modernization on traditional communities and the importance of understanding one’s heritage, making it a compelling addition to the genres of action, adventure, and folklore.
Official synopsis Publisher
2023 ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children
The daughter of a river god, raised by a human father and bound to a tragic destiny. An African fantasy-adventure graphic novel inspired by the mythology of the Zambezi River and the history of the Kariba Dam, one of the largest dams ever constructed.
From the director of Aau’s Song, a Star Wars: Visions film from Lucasfilm, and the director of the 2023 NYICFF award-winning The Smeds and the Smoos
Siku has always called the Zambezi River her home. She understands the water – and strangely enough, it seems to understand her, too, bending to her will and coming to her aid in times of need. But things are changing on the river – a great dam is being built, displacing thousands of Shonga people – and things are changing in Siku, too, as her ability to manipulate water grows out of control, and visions of a great serpent pull her further from reality and her loving father, Tongai.
When Tongai ventures to the Kariba Dam to find a cure for Siku and never returns, she sets off to find him with the help of Amedeo, the young son of Kariba’s chief engineer. Together, they traverse elephant graveyards, rugged jungles, and ancient ruins, outrunning pirates, bootleggers, and shape-shifting prophets ready to use Siku to their own advantage. But Siku soon discovers that her father has been shielding a terrible secret: Siku is actually the daughter of the Great River Spirit, Nyaminyami, and the only way to bring about the necessary rumuko – a ritual which has brought balance to the Zambezi for centuries – is for Siku to give up the only life she’s ever known.
With the future of the Shonga resting on her shoulders, Siku must journey to the source of the river to understand the ancient power hidden within her.
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