This book emerges from the author's 35 years of research and thought about the Songhay people
of Niger. This ethnographic novel follows the life of Omar Dia the oldest son of a West
African sorcerer. When his father falls ill and dies the great sorcerer vomits a small metal
chain onto his chest. Following the path of his ancestors Omar swallows the chain becoming
his father's successor which means that he takes on the sorcerer's burden. The book also
describes how custodians of traditional knowledge are creatively adapting to the forces of
globalization-all in a highly accessible narrative text.
