46 pages • 1-hour read
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree
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Background
Cultural Context: Borno, Nigeria
Content Warning: This section contains descriptions of sexual assault, gore, violence, war, and slavery.
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree takes place in the northeastern region of Nigeria in the state of Borno. Since the mid-2000s, Borno has been amid a range of conflicts instigated by multiple religious extremist militant groups, including Boko Haram and the formation of ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province). Thousands of people have been displaced, abducted, or murdered as a result of these conflicts (“Borno State, Nigeria: Difficult Living Conditions and Frequent Clashes.” Doctors Without Borders, 16 Sept 2020). Christians and Muslims have lived peacefully side by side in the region for centuries, but recently the region has experienced regular terrorist attacks, raids, and destruction while pleading with their government for more action. Groups like Bring Back Our Girls continue to advocate for the rescue of those who were captured and have yet to be found.
Northern Nigeria struggles more other parts of the nation with poverty, infant mortality, and education. Borno has one of the lowest education rates in the country, and although it has some of the best schools, few can afford to attend (“Borno – Education.” Kingmakers’ States of States). Education for girls is only expected until high school, after which the majority marry and discontinue their schooling. Those who prioritize their education come from families with more progressive views of how women should live. Education is widely known to increase quality of life for individuals and the whole society and prioritizing it will help to combat the extremism and conflict that continues to exist in the region. As recently as March 2024, children continue to be abducted from their homes by extremist groups in Nigeria.
Rhetorical Context: Education Through Storytelling
Young adult literature continues to flourish as a body of literature that contributes to the overall education and well-roundedness of young people. As opposed to simply reading articles or accounts, turning these important events and experiences into narratives helps make them relatable, comprehendible, and compelling. Around the world, people continue to be abused and exploited, and by informing young people of these issues, they are less likely to be ignored. In Borno, Nigeria, women’s rights and the development of education have come a long way, but extremism and conflict have led to the reinstatement of outdated, often violent laws. The importance of education and learning is clear in Ya Ta’s experience because her wisdom and knowledge are what prevent her from succumbing to a life of captivity. While the historical context is true to events, Ya Ta and the other characters are fictional. They represent the experiences of many girls taken by Boko Haram and writing them as characters allows the authors to dramatize and emphasize the most important aspects of their stories. The novel also celebrates the work of real-life activist and charitable organizations that extend their reach across the globe. These groups, such as the Red Cross and UNICEF, do not discriminate and demonstrate compassion for all those affected by terrorism and extremism.
Authorial Context: Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani and Viviana Mazza
Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani is an internationally acclaimed novelist, journalist, and essayist. She was born and raised in Nigeria and continues to reside there. Her work is aimed at both young adults and adults, and she aims to expose underreported crises and human rights violations. Adaobi currently writes for the Pulitzer Center, an international news agency based in the United States, but which has reach across the globe.
Viviana Mazza is an Italian journalist who reports on humanitarian issues across the world. She contributes firsthand research, interviews, and traveling to ground zero destinations to get the most authentic and complete information possible. She and Adaobi teamed up to create Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree, with Adaobi lending her skills as a novelist and her cultural connection to the region and Viviana compiling research, to create an accurate and detailed account of events. The result is a novel that is both informative and emotionally charged.
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