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Kuimba
KUIMBA is a story about a very special boy born to a sharecropper couple who worked the land of their overlord, Charles Edward Barnard of Barnard Shadows Barony in Georgetown county, South Carolina. It begins in July 1914 as Kuimba is brought into the world. From his birth, his mother knew this child was different from any other ever born. He grew quickly and matured early with one large exception: Kuimba never spoke. However his touch brought healing to any creature in need. His nemesis is the son of "the king of Barnfield," young R.Ed Barnard, who did all in his power to destroy Kuimba. As the two boys grew toward manhood, so grew R.Ed's hatred for this innocent colored boy. The tale climaxes midway and then enters another world: that of Richard Barnard, whose life is forever changed by Kuimba. In fact, Kuimba's life affects everyone living in or around Barnfield, South Carolina, even the animals.
228 pages, Paperback
Published January 27, 2017
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 25, 2021
Kuimba has blue eyes quite odd for a black boy, and word-less tunes so heavenly as well as magical that anyone who hears had been left with nothing but awe. Yet such gifts were not always as readily accepted, and have even stirred some dubious machinations seeking to negate what's good.
Travel back in time when slavery was first uprooted, hear the villagers and their daily woes, and be touched by this well-crafted spiritual story of sorts.
Kuimba is a must-read Christian fiction.
Travel back in time when slavery was first uprooted, hear the villagers and their daily woes, and be touched by this well-crafted spiritual story of sorts.
Kuimba is a must-read Christian fiction.
December 2, 2021
The author crafted a surprising yet inspiring tale of ironies and resolutions, of evil threats and much-hoped-for good, of stark realities and lofty ideals, as well as of the lessons of the past and relevance that transcends time itself. From the musical gifts of a word-less oddly-endowed special coloured boy to the everyday travails of the other characters, this piece rings fancy tunes yet heart-tugging truths.
I initially found it quite odd that the protagonist died half-way through the book. The title also didn't give me an inkling that the other half of the book will be devoted to the supposed antagonist who later on attained redemption.
Nonetheless, I love almost everything else about this religious fiction that I can let go of the apparent imperfections.
I initially found it quite odd that the protagonist died half-way through the book. The title also didn't give me an inkling that the other half of the book will be devoted to the supposed antagonist who later on attained redemption.
Nonetheless, I love almost everything else about this religious fiction that I can let go of the apparent imperfections.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2020
Set in the post-civil war era this book takes you through the lives of a southern sharecropper community. The book opens in 1914 with the birth of a beautiful baby name Kuimba. Who the mother believes to be an angel cast down to earth by God to help the people of Barnfield. I was a bit apprehensive about the storyline when I first began reading due to the heavy religious implication in that first chapter. However, as the story continued and the character's developed it felt less like a story about religion and just a beautiful tale about life. As Kuimba grows he forms a silent bond between the families living in Georgetown county that grants them all a newfound kinship and emotional strength they did not know they were missing before his birth. Strength and beauty passed over to the man once a self-proclaimed life long nemesis to Kuimba to set forth and cultivate into the world outside of their quant sharecropper community. This book tugs at every heartstring you have and leaves you longing for more.
March 2, 2022
Kuimba by Priscilla B. Shuler is a religious-themed book starring a strange blue-eyed boy with a heavenly voice. Armed with the power of love, Kuimba’s mission on earth is to deliver people from evil. As his miraculous deeds transform the lives of everyone around him, the book brings utter joy to the readers. Its smooth, slow tempo soothes the soul. Both religious and non-religious readers would love this spiritual, magical tale.
You could find the full version of this review here:
https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/2...
You could find the full version of this review here:
https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/2...
February 26, 2022
“Kuimba” by Priscilla B. Shuler is a unique piece that layers historical fiction, magical realism, and mysticism. With outstanding character development and realistic dialogues, this book offers enlightenment of what happened in the aftermath of the abolition of slavery in the USA. The premise is original, the message is meaningful and the characters memorable.
This is a summarized review of “Kuimba.” See the full version of this review here:
https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/2...
This is a summarized review of “Kuimba.” See the full version of this review here:
https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/2...
December 2, 2021
In a world often ridden with heartaches, grief, disappointments, discord, enmity, mistrust, and fear, this novel presents stories and possibilities for hope amidst it all. With a religious theme intertwined with benchmark traits of what an ideal fictional piece should have, it has relevance and relatability that could appeal to believers, non-believers, or neither. It's easy to give this book a perfect score.
December 25, 2024
The Singing Angel of Barnfield
In a world where fiction often mimics reality, Priscilla B. Shuler’s Kuimba dares to do the opposite: it elevates the human experience into a realm of miracles, mysticism, and poignant social commentary. Most readers will appreciate Kuimba for its emotionally charged narrative and the titular character’s ethereal presence, but let’s look into the deeper undercurrents of this novel that go unnoticed by many.
The Weight of History
The setting of Kuimba—the post-Emancipation South—is no arbitrary choice. Shuler roots her tale in the historical legacy of Reconstruction and Jim Crow, capturing a society grappling with its own identity. The Barnfield community, with its sharecropping and oppressive social hierarchies, feels hauntingly real because it mirrors what W.E.B. Du Bois described in The Souls of Black Folk as “the shadow of a vast despair.” The use of sharecropping as a backdrop—where Marvin's labor feeds an insatiable overlord—echoes the actual statistics: by the 1920s, nearly 75% of Black farmers in the South were trapped in sharecropping or tenant farming, perpetuating economic dependency and systemic exploitation. Does Kuimba subtly critique this system? Or does it place its hope in divine intervention, as embodied by Kuimba himself?
Miracles as Metaphor
Kuimba’s miraculous singing and acts of healing are not just plot devices; they are Shuler’s way of reimagining faith as resistance. His song—a wordless hymn—aligns with the oral traditions of African American spirituals, historically used to encode messages of hope and escape. Think of Harriet Tubman singing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” to signal freedom. But here, Kuimba’s song transcends human understanding. Is it a nod to the ineffable nature of justice and healing? Or is Shuler suggesting that sometimes, what humanity needs most is something beyond itself—a higher power to intervene when man’s systems fail?
The Economics of Kindness
While many will marvel at Kuimba resurrecting a dead cat (a feat that would likely baffle even Schrödinger), there’s a quiet economic thread to his story. The townsfolk eventually accept him as “blessed,” but their initial skepticism speaks volumes about the commodification of human value. Kuimba, whose gifts are freely given, disrupts a capitalist paradigm where everything—including faith—is transactional. Can such unmeasured generosity survive in a system where worth is weighed in coin? Shuler forces us to consider: If Kuimba were alive today, would he be celebrated—or exploited?
The Rhetoric of Fear
And what of R.Ed Barnard, the red-headed antagonist? R.Ed embodies more than mere racial hatred; he represents the fear of change. As Audre Lorde famously wrote, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” R.Ed’s rejection of Kuimba, despite the boy’s harmlessness, is a study in how the powerful cling to control. One wonders, how often does society dismiss what it cannot understand simply because it cannot control it? Does Kuimba’s blue-eyed, otherworldly innocence threaten R.Ed’s fragile sense of dominance?
The Duality of Angels
Shuler’s portrayal of Kuimba as a “Jesus Child” invites theological debate. Angels in Abrahamic traditions are both messengers and warriors. Kuimba, however, wields his divine gift with quiet humility, healing animals and calming chaos. Yet, his blue eyes—a symbol of divinity in Western art—invite discomfort among his own community. Does his “otherness” critique the way society measures worth by arbitrary standards? Why should divinity look like the oppressors? Shuler doesn’t give us answers, but she stirs the pot, making Kuimba as much a symbol of tension as of peace.
Data in Disguise
By the end of the novel, Barnfield has tacitly accepted Kuimba as a “blessing.” Yet, only a handful of individuals actively protect him. A study by the Southern Poverty Law Center reveals that even today, bystander intervention in hate crimes occurs in less than 30% of incidents. Shuler captures this dynamic eerily well: the townsfolk marvel at Kuimba’s abilities, but when R.Ed and his cronies target him, their silence speaks louder than their words of praise. Are miracles enough in a world where complicity reigns?
Unanswered Questions
When Kuimba heals the snakebite, is it symbolic of the reconciliation between nature and humanity, or does it nod to the biblical Edenic loss?
Is Marvin’s reluctance to father more children a subtle jab at the emasculation of Black men under systemic oppression, or is it simply exhaustion?
Can Kuimba, with all his miracles, really challenge the institutional structures that bind Barnfield?
Conclusion: A Song for the Unheard
Shuler’s Kuimba is a tale that whispers more than it shouts. It is as much about the things left unsaid as the miracles performed. It doesn’t just invite us to read; it challenges us to listen—to the silence of oppression, to the song of resistance, and to the murmurs of faith that transcend understanding. As Kuimba sings his heavenly hymn, one is reminded of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
And what is Kuimba if not a first step—a small, miraculous boy in a world too broken to recognize his worth?
In a world where fiction often mimics reality, Priscilla B. Shuler’s Kuimba dares to do the opposite: it elevates the human experience into a realm of miracles, mysticism, and poignant social commentary. Most readers will appreciate Kuimba for its emotionally charged narrative and the titular character’s ethereal presence, but let’s look into the deeper undercurrents of this novel that go unnoticed by many.
The Weight of History
The setting of Kuimba—the post-Emancipation South—is no arbitrary choice. Shuler roots her tale in the historical legacy of Reconstruction and Jim Crow, capturing a society grappling with its own identity. The Barnfield community, with its sharecropping and oppressive social hierarchies, feels hauntingly real because it mirrors what W.E.B. Du Bois described in The Souls of Black Folk as “the shadow of a vast despair.” The use of sharecropping as a backdrop—where Marvin's labor feeds an insatiable overlord—echoes the actual statistics: by the 1920s, nearly 75% of Black farmers in the South were trapped in sharecropping or tenant farming, perpetuating economic dependency and systemic exploitation. Does Kuimba subtly critique this system? Or does it place its hope in divine intervention, as embodied by Kuimba himself?
Miracles as Metaphor
Kuimba’s miraculous singing and acts of healing are not just plot devices; they are Shuler’s way of reimagining faith as resistance. His song—a wordless hymn—aligns with the oral traditions of African American spirituals, historically used to encode messages of hope and escape. Think of Harriet Tubman singing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” to signal freedom. But here, Kuimba’s song transcends human understanding. Is it a nod to the ineffable nature of justice and healing? Or is Shuler suggesting that sometimes, what humanity needs most is something beyond itself—a higher power to intervene when man’s systems fail?
The Economics of Kindness
While many will marvel at Kuimba resurrecting a dead cat (a feat that would likely baffle even Schrödinger), there’s a quiet economic thread to his story. The townsfolk eventually accept him as “blessed,” but their initial skepticism speaks volumes about the commodification of human value. Kuimba, whose gifts are freely given, disrupts a capitalist paradigm where everything—including faith—is transactional. Can such unmeasured generosity survive in a system where worth is weighed in coin? Shuler forces us to consider: If Kuimba were alive today, would he be celebrated—or exploited?
The Rhetoric of Fear
And what of R.Ed Barnard, the red-headed antagonist? R.Ed embodies more than mere racial hatred; he represents the fear of change. As Audre Lorde famously wrote, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” R.Ed’s rejection of Kuimba, despite the boy’s harmlessness, is a study in how the powerful cling to control. One wonders, how often does society dismiss what it cannot understand simply because it cannot control it? Does Kuimba’s blue-eyed, otherworldly innocence threaten R.Ed’s fragile sense of dominance?
The Duality of Angels
Shuler’s portrayal of Kuimba as a “Jesus Child” invites theological debate. Angels in Abrahamic traditions are both messengers and warriors. Kuimba, however, wields his divine gift with quiet humility, healing animals and calming chaos. Yet, his blue eyes—a symbol of divinity in Western art—invite discomfort among his own community. Does his “otherness” critique the way society measures worth by arbitrary standards? Why should divinity look like the oppressors? Shuler doesn’t give us answers, but she stirs the pot, making Kuimba as much a symbol of tension as of peace.
Data in Disguise
By the end of the novel, Barnfield has tacitly accepted Kuimba as a “blessing.” Yet, only a handful of individuals actively protect him. A study by the Southern Poverty Law Center reveals that even today, bystander intervention in hate crimes occurs in less than 30% of incidents. Shuler captures this dynamic eerily well: the townsfolk marvel at Kuimba’s abilities, but when R.Ed and his cronies target him, their silence speaks louder than their words of praise. Are miracles enough in a world where complicity reigns?
Unanswered Questions
When Kuimba heals the snakebite, is it symbolic of the reconciliation between nature and humanity, or does it nod to the biblical Edenic loss?
Is Marvin’s reluctance to father more children a subtle jab at the emasculation of Black men under systemic oppression, or is it simply exhaustion?
Can Kuimba, with all his miracles, really challenge the institutional structures that bind Barnfield?
Conclusion: A Song for the Unheard
Shuler’s Kuimba is a tale that whispers more than it shouts. It is as much about the things left unsaid as the miracles performed. It doesn’t just invite us to read; it challenges us to listen—to the silence of oppression, to the song of resistance, and to the murmurs of faith that transcend understanding. As Kuimba sings his heavenly hymn, one is reminded of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
And what is Kuimba if not a first step—a small, miraculous boy in a world too broken to recognize his worth?
April 27, 2022
Beautiful tale on inner faith
Let’s first talk about the stunning cover which, subconsciously, takes you to the heart of the story before even you begun reading.
Then the birth of Kuimba along with the southern-style dialogues gets you straight to the atmosphere of the premise. His skin and unusual eyes and the way he verbally communicate trouble his parents and us from the very beginning, hooking to reader to wish more for what the plot is up to.
The author beautifully depicts the blessed way Kuimba’s parents, practically his mother, respond to the ‘gift’ from God, expressing their love to the creator through the absolute loving of their unusual son. I was impressed by his mother, Ophelia, a character whose doubts and thoughts were so real, and humble, one could sense her presence nearby.
And although the storyline involved religious elements this did not disrupt focusing on the nature and behavior of the main characters.
Early in the story the author reveals to us the one-more social job left for Kuimba and left us thirsty to know what it is - brilliant.
The scenes between Kuimba and R.Ed (Richard) and thereafter events are mesmerising, perfectly composed by the author as if she is an experienced film director.
The plot dynamically takes turns and gets me hooked to the book, wishing to read what happens next. The thread is nicely connected between the characters, all of whom impacted by the elusive Kuimba. The choice of prison and prisoners as site of redemption is brilliant and fits the overall message of the book.
Nothing can stop inner faith. Ophelia sums this nicely, saying: “Yessir. Our Kuimba’s spirit do speak too. Let me tells you. Now he speak like a heavenly angel. He uses words like I ain’t never heered befo, all proper like he be college educated, or sumptin. And, you know he never did ever say one word whils’t he wuz here on dis sod. Nossir. He never did speak. But, I guess now he done be gone, God dun give him de words to say when he feel like it.”
I guess the take home message of this lovely story is that people can change other ‘bad’ people through their unique aura and this aura continues to live within this person. Family bond and faith are tightly connected to the point one can’t exist without the other
Let’s first talk about the stunning cover which, subconsciously, takes you to the heart of the story before even you begun reading.
Then the birth of Kuimba along with the southern-style dialogues gets you straight to the atmosphere of the premise. His skin and unusual eyes and the way he verbally communicate trouble his parents and us from the very beginning, hooking to reader to wish more for what the plot is up to.
The author beautifully depicts the blessed way Kuimba’s parents, practically his mother, respond to the ‘gift’ from God, expressing their love to the creator through the absolute loving of their unusual son. I was impressed by his mother, Ophelia, a character whose doubts and thoughts were so real, and humble, one could sense her presence nearby.
And although the storyline involved religious elements this did not disrupt focusing on the nature and behavior of the main characters.
Early in the story the author reveals to us the one-more social job left for Kuimba and left us thirsty to know what it is - brilliant.
The scenes between Kuimba and R.Ed (Richard) and thereafter events are mesmerising, perfectly composed by the author as if she is an experienced film director.
The plot dynamically takes turns and gets me hooked to the book, wishing to read what happens next. The thread is nicely connected between the characters, all of whom impacted by the elusive Kuimba. The choice of prison and prisoners as site of redemption is brilliant and fits the overall message of the book.
Nothing can stop inner faith. Ophelia sums this nicely, saying: “Yessir. Our Kuimba’s spirit do speak too. Let me tells you. Now he speak like a heavenly angel. He uses words like I ain’t never heered befo, all proper like he be college educated, or sumptin. And, you know he never did ever say one word whils’t he wuz here on dis sod. Nossir. He never did speak. But, I guess now he done be gone, God dun give him de words to say when he feel like it.”
I guess the take home message of this lovely story is that people can change other ‘bad’ people through their unique aura and this aura continues to live within this person. Family bond and faith are tightly connected to the point one can’t exist without the other
November 22, 2021
If you are interested in stories that are touching and surreal, you must check this out. This setting of the story is set in the early 1900s in the American South, and I quite enjoyed it. The title character is unique in that he sings throughout the entire book. Kuimba is known for a lot of things, but that isn't one of them. Much of the conversation is extremely accented, which I liked because I've heard a lot of southern accents. Other characters play significant roles as well. Many of them have a level-headed demeanor, which I admire. I particularly admire how many of them have seen significant positive changes in their life as a result of knowing Kuimba.
February 12, 2024
Beautiful
After reading the book, there is much truth in Godly people, here in our world. A child would be the perfect carrier of spiritual blessings. My faith has always been above alot of people. The writer feels the spiritual connection. This would be an awesome movie.
After reading the book, there is much truth in Godly people, here in our world. A child would be the perfect carrier of spiritual blessings. My faith has always been above alot of people. The writer feels the spiritual connection. This would be an awesome movie.
November 22, 2021
Love it
November 22, 2021
I recommend this one! Read this and you’ll love it!
November 22, 2021
I like this book it's seem interesting and worth it to read hoping that more people would read this book!:)
November 22, 2021
ITS SO GOOD
November 22, 2021
Love it
May 15, 2022
Wonderful
I loved reading this story of love and change. One child that brought a town together and crossed color lines.Wonderful read .
I loved reading this story of love and change. One child that brought a town together and crossed color lines.Wonderful read .
December 25, 2024
Love this 🤍
December 26, 2024
Love this so much
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews