Saba, Under The Hyena’s Foot
Ethiopia
American Girl Publishing Incorporated
2003
After being kidnapped and brought to the emperor's palace in Gondar, Ethiopia, twelve-year-old Saba discovers that she and her brother are part of the emperor's desperate attempt to consolidate political power in the mid-1840's.
Saba: Under The Hyena’s Foot, recommended for grades 6-8, is a story of twelve-year-old Saba who, in 1846, finds herself plunged into a fierce struggle for the throne of Ethiopia during the tumultuous era of the princes. The story opens with Saba, supposedly an orphan, living a rather simple life with her grandmother, Emama, and her brother, Mesfin, soon after her grandfather’s death. A series of unexplained accidents take place which lead to Saba and her brother’s abduction. At first Saba is bewildered and frightened but is persuaded to remain calm by Mesfin who reminds her that “[t]his is the time to be brave” (p. 56). Upon their arrival to the ancient city state of Gondar and the reigning Emperor Yohannes III, Saba declares that nothing would have prepared her for the “wonder that was Gondar” (p. 59) Even as she is awestruck by the riches and lavishness of the palace, she remains alert. By piecing together clues from those around her, Sabu discovers her royal identity and the mystery surrounding her parents’ disappearance. Before long Saba discovers that she is a descendant “of the blood of Makeda, the mighty Queen of Sheba,” to whom a legitimate ruler must trace his heritage (p. 85). She is exuberant at her newfound legacy but along the way learns the treacheries of court life and the danger royal heritage poses to her and her brother. Saba is soon disillusioned with the dynastic house of Solomon as she realizes that her uncle, although a direct descendant of Makeda, was merely a puppet doing the bidding of Empress Menen and General Ali. When given a choice between remaining at court and embarking on a search for the father she thought dead Saba chooses the unknown. Saba compares the relationship between Empress Menen and her son General Ali as “wild animals ready to claw and bite each other to death” and decided that the “hyena life” was not for her (pg.192). The heart of the story is one of self-awareness, family, loyalty, and friendships, which everyone can relate to, regardless of cultural background. When we first meet Saba, she is a restless young girl haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her parents and the recent death of her grandfather. As the story evolves, Saba slowly begins to develop her personal identity as she discovers her royal heritage and gains awareness of her role in the larger history of the country. She gradually begins to overcome her fears as she learns that “fear was not fought in the stomach but simply one stumbling step when it was needed” (p. 194). Ultimately, she is transformed from an uncertain young girl to one determined to reunite her family. Her journey of self-discovery is finally realized when she proclaims, “I have the blood and name of the Queen of Sheba, and I am not afraid” (p. 193). Although the story takes place in 1846, the book includes a brief section entitled “Then and Now” to place Ethiopia within the contemporary world. This section also does an excellent job of placing not only the main character but also other cultural and traditional practices mentioned in the book within modern-day Ethiopia. There is also an author’s note, which provides a brief account of her experience in Ethiopia and her approach to the novel. Jane Kurtz spent most of her childhood in Ethiopia where she was able to pick up various facets of Ethiopian culture and the monarchy in Ethiopia. That experience is apparent in her inclusion of lesser-known Ethiopian customs and the ease with which she uses Amharic phrasing. The dialogue is rich in traditional Ethiopian proverbs and the characters convey important lessons through story telling. The illustration of Saba, found on the cover and inside page, is remarkably true and rich in details. Other images are used to place items and locations referenced in the novel within contemporary Ethiopia. The book’s value largely lies in the author’s ability to tell a story, fused with history, against a rich cultural tapestry. The author con – Azeb Tadesse, UCLA