Burning Grass

by Cyprian Ekwensi

This is an enthralling tale of Northern Nigeria where, when the grass is burnt on the plains, the Fulani cattlemen move southwards towards the banks of the Niger. Mai Sunsaye, the hero of the story, is afflicted with the sokugo, wandering sickness.

Genres: Africa, Fiction, Nigeria, African Literature

118 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Cyprian Odiatu Duaka Ekwensi was a novelist famous for his Jaguar Nana series and many others. He wrote for children under the name C.O.D. Ekwensi.

Reviews

[KUNLE AWONIYI · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great writer Ekwensi was! He had it all, excitement, pace, suspense, and yes melodrama, which is an integral part of life, no matter what some critics might claim. A short extract from this novel shows the zippy nature of his books. Here, Sunsaye, whilst rushing along in the woods on his horse suddenly sees two naked children:

"From his robes he tore some cloth and used it to cover the naked bodies. As soon as his hands touched them, the forest shook with a resounding roar. He heard a crash through the woods. His horse shrieked wildly and broke away pursued by a lion. In one bound both beasts disappeared up the stream.

"He heard them struggle and when his horse shrieked wildly he knew what had happened. Now that his horse was dead, the lion would come rushing back at him. He looked about him for a means of escape. He saw none..."

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The greatest mistake I made as a reader is to pick Cyprian's book after reading Chinua Achebe. It made me undermine the writer in that I consider Chinua as the true African story teller-the one who presents African culture for what it is and especially for what most people fail to understand and appreciate about it.
When I was reading Burning Grass-I felt as though Cyprian's descriptions were more English than they were a depiction of true African traditions and customs. Nonetheless-he is a remarkable story teller-and he knows how to go about dialogues.
Burning Grass-takes us through the Journey of the Herdsman, Mai Sunsaye and after being afflicted by the wanderer's disease, famously known as Sokugo, the man goes abut various villages and settlements-and his experiences form a great story.
Anyone who reads African Literature or works by famous African authors should not make my mistake and compare the two, for when you do that-you might just pick Achebe and fail to encounter the well woven dialogues by Cyprian.

[Nana Fredua-Agyeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cyprian Ekwensi' Burning Grass is a story about the life of Fulani herdsmen narrated through Mai Sunsaye. Mai Sunsaye is a leader of his people and a medicine man, a man who knows how to treat people. One day, whilst with his sons grazing their cattle an incident occurred that would affect all their lives including the children. A Fulani girl a slave of the fearful man Shehu was being chased by a man with whips. Mai Sunsaye paid for Fatimeh with his cattle and ordered man to leave. Thus, Fatimeh became free.

continue here http://freduagyeman.blogspot.com/2012...

[Jerome Kuseh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the lapses in storytelling, this book, which I first read as a child, is a classic. It is the only book I've read about the ways of the nomadic Fulani and their interesting customs, beliefs and prejudices alone make this a worthwhile read.

[Toluwa Abudiore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the books of my childhood. It was with a great sense of reminiscence and nostalgia that I reread it recently.

Being a Yoruba girl born and bred in Southern Nigeria, this book gave me an hint of a culture that I admire, albeit in an historic form.

[Rambling Raconteur · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://youtu.be/EPVsfsBKXkQ?si=hkmsx...

Ekwensi’s early novel is a massive contrast in setting and tone from People of the City. He crafts a natural portrait of rural cow herders with the patriarch Mai Sunsaye cursed to wander, meeting with his various sons. The sense of African mysticism blends well with the pastoral narrative. Moments of shocking violence collide with this family’s life.

[Sydney Mugerwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe it or not, I first read Burning Grass about 20 years ago. The copy I had was missing its cover, and I didn’t even know the title of the book or even the author, but I was captivated by the writing style and the story from the get-go. The plot revolves around Fatimeh, a slave girl who enters the lives of a prominent family and causes turmoil between the brothers. The mysticism in the novel reminded me of South and Central American literature, where the magical seamlessly blends with the real.

Set in a post-colonial era before much of Africa descended into its current challenges, the story captures a time that feels suspended between worlds. It’s one of the best portrayals of African culture, intricately woven with Arab influences. The narrative follows Mai Sousaye, the family patriarch, whose decision to purchase Fatimeh brings chaos to his household. His sons, Houdia and Rikku, both become infatuated with her, setting the stage for conflict. The story also delves into witchcraft, power dynamics, and nomadic life—key aspects of the Fulani people, whose rich cultural traditions are vividly depicted.

If you’re familiar with the striking images of Fulani men adorned in elaborate attire, this book offers an intimate glimpse into that world. The narrative left a deep impression on me, especially the way it handled themes of life, love, and death. The losses in the story hit me hard. Burning Grass is a remarkable exploration of African life, full of beauty, complexity, and humanity.

[Felix Krull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Buch lässt uns eintauchen in eine Welt, die systematisch von eurozentrischem Gedankengut verdreht und verzerrt wird. Es öffnet den post-kolonialen Vorhang, hinter dem sich eben nicht die von Stereotypen beladenen Vorstellungen Nigerias befinden, sondern die Realität, die dieses Land verdient.

[Koen Gildner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book just for the cultural aspect alone. Learning about how the Fulani lived their lives and how they saw life was interesting. It is a very short book that I got through fairly quickly and a good read. The almost laissez-faire way that it goes about death and other important parts of life really drives home what the book is about; (at least my interpretation of it) it is a book about accepting change and the hardships of life. Sometimes things happen and you just have to power through it and move on.

[Mikołaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bywa, że i ja choruję na sokugo.

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

"To the Fulani herdsman who has spent most of his time on the move, home was a cluster of huts anywhere from which no more movement was contemplated." Everything in "Burning Grass" wanders. The major figures are Fulani--the most successful herdsmen of West Africa--all spurred by diverse motives across a well-evoked natural landscape. Something about the pace and trajectories of the principal characters is made enchanting by everyone’s easy acceptance of life on foot.

Sunsaye, father of three and Chief of Dokan Toro, is bewitched by a malicious rival into following anything that flies—a curse that disguises itself from him amidst the random missions that he sets himself. As soon as Sunsaye reaches one sought-after person, he departs in search of another. All the while, his social and family networks are trying to catch up with him because they need the guidance and security that his leadership provides. While he wanders—failing to properly oversee his offspring, his people and his cattle—his sons fall into various traps and forms of trouble, which necessitate further wandering on their father’s part.

“Burning Grass” stands out in the African Writers Series. There is no irritating and oppressive representative of white money and culture, the coming of age elements are played down, the juju is integrated quite naturally and without shame and everything moves. It’s a brisk and enjoyable story, almost mythic and almost too short.

[Victoria Naa Takia Nunoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale, in all of its beautiful simplicity holds your interest, and effortlessly takes you on a journey through the life of Fulani Cattlemen of Northern Nigeria.

Mai Sunsaye, the chief of Dokan Toro, and also a high priest of the wandering Fulanis rescues a slave girl Fatimeh from her master Shehu.

His sons, Hodio and Rikku both develop a liking for the girl, but the former runs away with her leaving Rikku inconsolable. The father then promises to seek Fatimeh and bring her back to Rikku.

An unsettled chieftaincy dispute with rival Ardo resurfaces, and Mai Sunsaye is struck with Sokugo, a wandering charm that deprives men of stable lives and causes them to wander.

Although convinced that his pursuit is only after Fatimeh, Mai Sunsaye strolls after winged birds. It is through these wanderings that he will learn that Fatimeh has been recaptured by Shehu and his men, and Hodio has also fled with his son Jalla’s desired maiden Amina.

The story takes readers on a nomadic experience, family, traditions, and customs that imprints on the mind as if real.

Reading this book, it wasn't only Mai Sunsaye that caught the wandering disease, I did too.

[Julie Pederson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having lived in Jos for 9 years, the opening paragraph captivated me: ..."It is time too for the harmattan to blow dust into eyes and teeth, to wrinkle skin: the harmattan that leaves in its wake from Libya to Lagos a shroud of fog that veils the walls and trees like muslin on a sheikh." After that, apart from occasional descriptive lines and the fun of reading "Kai!" and "Tau" I found this book rather tedious to finish. The story lacked a realistic time frame and characters popped in and out of the storyline quite randomly. I finished it without any sense of satisfaction.

[Damien Dsoul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amongst the best Nigerian writers, while most would consider China Achebe at the top of the list, I have often stated that yes, Achebe was a gifted writer, but when it comes to storytelling, that top prize goes to Cyprian Ekwensi. For one thing, he had a dynamic range when it comes to weaving enthralling tales that spanned Nigerian ethnicity, unlike Achebe who always stayed within the Igbo milieu.

[Samaila Adelaiye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Was quite impressed with the representation of Fulani culture. in spite of major flaws in its representation of the Fulani lifestyle, I'll say it gets a grade for effort.The book often turns from more serious themes to childlike fantasy with the jungle girl and all, a deeper look into the story is indeed a sad story of family struggle that many can relate to.

[Amadak Ubeng · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite African novels. I must say I've read this novel more than twice since I was a teenager...
...Burning Grass
Mai Sunsaye and his sons made me understand a little bit about the lives of the fulani herdsmen. I felt for Mai when he had the slepping sickeness. He fought well for his family...

[Must Read Africa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicles the journey of the Nomad Herdsmen of Nigeria as they move their cattle further south for pasture. Mai Sunsaye, the hero of the story is afflicted with wandering sickness as he tries to find fatimeh for his love-struck son.

[Ebenezer Manu]

this material is very much interested and i love it

[Cts_contact]

HELLO I WANT TO READ IT NOW

[Bello Ahmadu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excellent

[Gary Mcfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book for the first time back in 1975 while I was teaching in Nigeria. Well worth reading again.

[Emmanuel Eke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is so awesome ...it looks so real like a movie

[Ben Regier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts off a little slow, but the last 3/4 of the book are really compelling once you get used to the narrative style and the magical realism! An excellent read. It would be interesting to parallel this with the Odyssey, considering the ways they present the hero's journey and the challenges each protagonist must overcome. The dialogue is beautifully written and rich with metaphor.

[Baljit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this 2.5 stars.
An interesting insight into a Fulani herdsman who travels across the plains as he’s beloved to be afflicted by a charm causing him restlessness. But along his travels he meets various characters and his sons, and ultimately thus enriches his life

[Charles Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this so much, thanks guys

[Aso Salisu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful piece as usual from a legend.

[Ngozi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great books that shaped my growing up. I am grateful for this masterpiece.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure!

[Nana Nana Banana Zing Zang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’ll read it again when I have the time.

[Amarachi]

If I speak….