Kasamance: A Fantasy

The griot Mor Thiam was not only a great drummer, he was a great story teller.... Thiam would choose the first from a tray of kola nuts which were then passed around to all excepting the very young, and, seated in the midst of his extended family and friends, which made up together just about all of the village, pull up the long sleeves of his kaftan with a graceful gesture and begin his stories. Favorite of them all was Kasamance, a tale they never tired of. Kasamance took many sittings to tell in its entirety, and I am not certain that I have completed it, or that it ever will be complete. However, we will begin where Thiam began, addressing himself at times to all, at times to someone in particular,at times to no one in particular. And if we have made too many errors or have not faithfully followed the words of Thiam, we ask the All Powerful to forgive us, as this was not our intention. (excerpts from Foreword)