Navid Kermani has traveled from the south of Madagascar to the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. Gently, with empathetic observations of detail, without grand theses, he brings the East of Africa to life. At the same time, from a new perspective, Kermani reflects on themes relevant to our present, such as climate change, war, development, identity, and the fundamental questions of existence.
To this day, Africa is considered the "forgotten continent," although it has been a contested continent since at least the 19th century. European colonial powers have left deep wounds here. The Arab north carries its religion and culture to the south, often with violence. China and the West compete for natural resources and influence. Africa is forgotten particularly where there is nothing to be gained, such as in Madagascar. Here, the United Nations has declared the first famine caused by climate change. This is where the journey begins that Navid Kermani undertook for DIE ZEIT. It takes him further through Comoros, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia to Sudan. Where other writers sought authenticity, Kermani discovers populations and cultures in motion, often fleeing from war and drought. Above all, they have always creatively absorbed new cultural influences and made them their own. This is most evident in music. It forms the secret red thread of the brilliantly written book, which follows an irresistible literary rhythm.