Yefon: The Red Necklace (41 page)
Read Yefon: The Red Necklace Online
Authors: Sahndra Dufe
On that note, I will end here by saying thank you darling ‘Yefonite’ (Yefon novel series lover), for taking the time to read this book. Even though I have never met some of you, I love you all!
Warmest wishes,
Sahndra Fon Dufe
‘I dare you to stand out’.
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, SUBJECT: NOVEL ENQUIRY. You can also check out my website at:
http://www.sahndrafondufe.com
and the novel website at:
http://www.yefonthenovel.com
QUESTIONS AND TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
Yefon Labam works very hard to save money for her move to the city. Only to give it up when her sister was about to be sold into slavery.
- Why do you think she did this?
- Did it have an impact on Yenla’s life?
- How can we apply this to our own lives?
- Do you agree that most people would sacrifice anything for those they love?
2.
Female suppression by men and society has often been described as fear of the true potential of women. The book shows that the conflict is more complicated than that.
- What are some of the root causes of the suppression of women in the world?
- List some of the ways in which female suppression was discussed in this book.
- What role did the women themselves play in their own suppression? What does that teach us?
- What is the difference between this story and that of women in the modern world?
- Do you think this problem still persists today?
- List some examples, and state what women can do to make a difference.
3.
This novel is set in West/Central Africa during the pre-and post-colonial period.
- What impact does that have on the lifestyle of the people?
- What tribe is Yefon from and what are some of the things you learnt about the tribe?
- What things fascinated you?
- What things did you disbelieve and why?
4.
Women all over the world are subjugated and suppressed. They don’t have the same rights or opportunities as men.
- What specific steps can the world take to ensure that women all over the world have equal rights as men in several domains such as politics, education, religion, and business?
- What are you doing to spread the message that self-help is important?
- Do you think that the community is fully to be blamed for this problem?
- How can it be prevented?
- Which women inspire you and why?
5.
In the book, Yefon listens to a local teacher who tells his male students that women’s power is gossip.
- Do you agree with this?
- How can women come together to create giant buzz on their projects?
- When is gossip a bad thing? When is it good?
- How can gossip be used as a positive tool to achieve impactful results on the society?
6.
When Yefon is faced with the mountain lion in the forest. She is terrified but stands face to face with this lion trying as much as possible not to show her fear. Eventually the lion disappears right before her eyes into thin air.
- What is fear?
- How do you interpret this scene?
- What are your fears?
- What are you doing to overcome them?
- Can you describe how this scene could apply to your own life?
7.
Yefon’s sister, Yenla, is an albino, and for most of the book, she is being treated for a supposed speech impediment.
- How did you interpret that part of the story?
- What can we do to ensure that albinos all over the world are safe from dangerous people who try to harm them?
- How do we treat people who look different from us? Are we accepting?
- Think of people in your life who have been treated differently because of their skin pigmentation, sex, religious beliefs, and so on. How did it impact them? Are we part of the problem? How do you plan on correcting that wrong?
- What about yourself? Have you ever been discriminated against as a result of your skin, sex, or religion? How did you handle it?
8.
Yefon uses her skills as a parish maid to help support her family.
- Why is this role important to Yefon’s journey and to her family?
- What does she learn as a result?
- What do you think of her choice?
9.
Yefon writes about how much she wanted a different life from that in which she grew up in.
- What steps did she take to ensure that her life would be different?
- What do you think her actions meant for tradition-based cultures like hers?
- How has this kind of change happened in your own area and what effect has it had?
10.
Ma and Yefon had a very complex relationship.
- Describe how they differ from each other.
- Do they share any similarities at all? If yes, how so?
- Do you think Ma had any positive impact on Yefon’s life?
- Why do you think Ma always acted the way she did?
- How do you think Yefon would have turned out if she had a mother like Kadoh’s?
11.
Yefon expresses to us more than once that something beautiful or happy happened in the midst of a horrible event and how she stopped to appreciate it.
- Can you give any examples of when this happened?
- Why do you think she was able to admire the silver lining?
- Is there any lesson for us from this trait of hers? If so, what is it?
12.
Yefon had a difficult relationship with not only her mother but also her siblings.
- How does Yefon’s concept of family change as the book progresses?
- How is it redefined and enlarged?
- What role does this play through out her journey?
13.
Yefon is constantly breaking the rules for what she sees as a higher good.
- How does this relate to your life?
- How are you willing to break the rules and suffer the consequences in order to serve your higher values?
- How far would you go in order to pursue your ideals?
- What were Yefon’s ideals?
- What did she do in order to achieve them?
- What does Yefon teach you about follow-through?
14.
Yefon experienced a number of incidences, which caused her emotional stress.
- What are some of the ways in which Yefon deals with her father’s passing?
- How did she deal with the death of Yenla’s daughter, Asheri?
- How did she deal with the community in general?
- How does our culture tell us to deal with trauma?
- Is a horrific news story played over and over on TV? Do you think this is hurtful rather than helpful? Why?
- How do you deal with loss?
SEND MORE DISCUSSION TOPICS TO
mailto:[email protected]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cameroonian-born author, actress, humanitarian and business mogul Sahndra Fon Dufe is the young CEO of African Pictures International. She works at exposing the history, culture, and truth about Africa, women and the spirit within.
The remarkable actress has been featured in numerous award-winning movies, and commercials, and presently lives in Los Angeles with her hunk of a man, a closet full of shoes and too many vintage clothes.
Sahndra spends her spare time perfecting her craft and soul-searching, on a journey to regain wholeness and cure the spirit. She also hunts for Egyptian artifacts, pieces that have captivated her imagination since childhood.
READ FULL BIO AT:
www.sahndrafondufe/bio
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kiban: fufu ; a starchy meal cooked and served with vegetables.
- Herpan: old aluminum pail.
- Kiyuu: Rooster
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Shinjang: Oil made from the castor plant
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nyoosji
: huckleberry; a staple vegetable of the Nso people
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chisong: chewing stick
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Naa', & Wanyeeto &Bah are common folktales in Nso.
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Nyash: backside
*gong dog- street dog
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Wee' won: mother of my children.
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Ngashinga: cassava
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Nyanga no di hot: You must endure the processes required for beauty
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Raavey: big market day
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kikum- Slang for reproductive organs.
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Pia- avocado
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η
gar
: rifle
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Lum : attic- storage
*Kiluh- thickyellow palm liquid
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Shirrum- country onions
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Chakara: crazy or scattered
*Ngabaa: mad person
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wahala : trouble
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Tu : Irish potatoes
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Koki: a pudding made from beans or corn.
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NGONNSO: the ancestress
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Kiyuung ke nto': Palace court jester
*Nyamnko :Insult; fool!
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Yefon Labam at 7 years old. She is a curious child who wants to do things differently from all the children around her. Unlike other girls, she hunts rabbits in her spare time, and asks questions that no one else dares to. She is the only one in her house that owns a cotton dress, and she wears it proudly, even though every one else sneers at her for wearing the white man's garment. With a mind of her own, she grows up into this adventurous woman with an exciting journey.
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Yefon working at the parish as a maid: Her duties included serving tea or the priests, and other activities. On one of her duties, she learns of the new girl school that has been opened in Bamenda, and she dreams of being one of the girls admitted there.
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Yefon Labam at 20 (I960): During this period, she has several interested suitors, but she is more focused on her career, and leaving for the big city, only to be chosen as the palace wife.
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Pa Banka Labam: He is Yefon's father, who gets murdered when she is a teenager. During his lifetime, he is considered one of the most successful men in the land. He has several wives, and a household, which he maintains well, and he trades kolanuts and salts all the way in Nigeria. He is the first black man to buy a car, and his children are the only ones who own clothes. Yefon loves her father dearly, as he is the only one who seems to understand her. Before his death, he predicts that she will do something special for the tribe, and offers her a beautiful red necklace, and a cave, that become the guides to her new life.
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Ma Soli Labam: She is Yefon's mother, and they share the most peculiar relationship. Ma fears that her husband is encouraging Yefon to become a rebel, and as a result, she may never find a husband. She beats Yefon up several times and does all types of things to make sure Yefon grows up to be a 'good wife with cooking, cleaning and farming skills. She is against any type of female freedom.
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Yenla: She is Yefon's biological older sister. She has a stammering problem, and an albino pigment, and takes a lot of treatments, that would hopefully make her darker skin, since she suffers several inhibitions as a result ofher pigmentation. She is timid, quiet and fearful of everything, including her shadow and thinks Yefon is ungrateful for wanting more out of life.
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Kadoh: She is one of the most interesting characters in the book. Kadoh is Yefon's best friend and half sister. Her mother (Ya Sero) is Yefon's father's second wife, and Yefon often wishes that Ya Sero were her biological mother. Kadoh has escaped reality by wearing clay masks, and flowers all over her head, and telling Yefon all kinds of folktales and myths. She is funny and loveable.
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Sola: She is Yefon's half sister. Her mother (Ya Buri) is Yefon's father's third wife, and allegedly one of the most troublesome women Yefon has ever met. Sola is being groomed to marry the prince. She is treated to numerous hair and body treatments, and never gets along with Yefon, or any one else for that matter.
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Kome: He is the mysterious Fulani boy who offers to help Yefon learn how to read. He owes her his allegiance as Yefon's late father was of great service to the boy's own father. Yefon may have feelings for him, and wonders if he thinks of her that way too.
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Father Anthony Bungard, aka Father Tony or Big Father: He is the parish priest of the Shisong Parish, where Yefon gets employed as a parish maid.
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Prince Veyeh: Yefon is betrothed to the handsome prince, against her will. He was educated at the University level, in neighboring Nigeria, and has hair that is rumored to be magical. He is the ideal man for most of the females in the book.
