Flying Through the Water
Flying Through Water
Fiction / Ghana / Ages: 8-12
May 14, 2024
Sena thinks he is helping his poverty-stricken family when a man calling himself Jack of Diamonds promises him a job and a better life, but he ends up in the clutches of human traffickers and must use all his resolve to escape and survive.
Mamle Wolo is rapidly establishing herself as one of the premier voices in Ghanaian young adult literature. Her novel, Kaya Girl, left an indelible impression on me, and I am not surprised that her latest work, Flying Through Water, is equally compelling.
In Flying Through Water, Wolo crafts a poignant and thought-provoking tale centered on Sena, a 15-year-old boy and elder brother to Mawuli and Kekeli. The story begins on a somber note: Sena’s mother returns to her ancestral village to live with her father, Togbe, after enduring domestic abuse at the hands of her husband. The family’s life in the village is far from easy. Sena helps sustain the household by working on Togbe’s farm each morning. Despite their financial struggles, Sena finds joy in the simple pleasures of life and treasures his relationships—with his best friend, his crush, and especially his grandfather, Togbe.
Togbe becomes a profound source of wisdom for Sena, teaching him both the rich history of their community and valuable life skills. Through their regular trips to the stream, Togbe recounts the poignant history of the Volta region, specifically the displacement and migration that followed the construction of the Akosombo Dam—a project that brought electricity to Ghana but uprooted countless lives. These are stories we should be documenting for the next generation. Wolo seamlessly weaves this history into the narrative, balancing it with Sena’s education in practical skills like crafting fish traps, fishing, and roasting by the river. These moments are underscored by Sena’s growing appreciation of the symbiotic relationship between people and nature.
However, the family’s financial struggles deepen, forcing Sena to make a difficult decision: to leave the village in search of better opportunities. This decision marks a turning point in the story, exposing Sena to the harsh realities of child trafficking in neighboring communities.
Flying Through Water is ultimately a story of resilience, love, and the pursuit of a better life despite overwhelming challenges. It also sheds light on lesser-known aspects of Ghanaian history, such as the sacrifices made by communities displaced by national development projects. Wolo’s sensitive exploration of these themes is both educational and deeply moving. She enhances the narrative with elements of folklore, including the African mermaid figure, Mami Wata, which adds a layer of mysticism and highlights the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world. While I wish she had delved deeper into this mythology, the folklore enriches the story beautifully.
The novel also offers a searing critique of child labor and trafficking, bringing much-needed attention to these pressing issues. Wolo’s ability to tackle such heavy themes with nuance and authenticity is commendable.
I cannot recommend Flying Through Water highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone seeking an engaging, meaningful story, and it deserves a place in the curriculum of high schools across Ghana. For its blend of compelling storytelling, cultural depth, and social commentary.
Elizabeth Abena Osei, MA
University of Maryland, College Park
Published in Africa Access Review (December 12, 2024)
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