Two Thousand Seasons

by Ayi Kwei Armah

A young group inexorably rebels against the forces destroying Africa. By the author of "Fragments" and "The Healers".

Genres: Africa, Fiction, Historical Fiction, African Literature, Ghana, Feminism, Literature

206 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Born to Fante-speaking parents, with his father's side Armah descending from a royal family in the Ga tribe in the port city of Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, [1] Armah, having attended the renowned Achimota School, left Ghana in 1959 to attend Groton School in Groton, MA. After graduating, he entered Harvard University, receiving a degree in sociology. Armah then moved to Algeria and worked as a translator for the magazine Révolution Africaine. In 1964, Armah returned to Ghana, where he was a scriptwriter for Ghana Television and later taught English at the Navrongo School.

Between 1967 and 1968, he was editor of Jeune Afrique magazine in Paris. From 1968-1970, Armah studied at Columbia University, obtaining his MFA in creative writing. In the 1970s, he worked as a teacher in East Africa, at the College of National Education, Chang'ombe, Tanzania, and at the National University of Lesotho. He lived in Dakar, Senegal, in the 1980s and taught at Amherst and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book not long after returning from living in West Africa. It's not the easiest read because it is written more in the oral tradition and aims to cover a history of the continent of Africa in a bout 200 pages. It's not a history book full of dates, it's a novel that expresses rage at the exploitation of the continent by invaders (Arabs followed by Whites) with the active participation of Blacks.

I read the book a number of times and lent it to someone who then lost it. So I no longer have my copy - and would have had it not gone missing! Hence, books I cherish I no longer lend!

[Shila Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important books I will ever read. It has become my 2nd favorite. I am looking forward to reading the full body of work of Ayi Kwei Armah. This should be required reading for children 13 and up.

2nd review-

-Reading this again. I have to read this every year. It’s so necessary. Very very grateful for the wisdom of this story. This is now my favorite book. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

3rd review-

- This is a book that I have read 3 times. It is a “heart heavy” read, a wonderfuL story of historicaL fiction to deepen your thoughts. I can’t heLp but to want everyone who is ready to read and comprehend this story. Our chiLdren too.

The book has come back into print and is avaiLabLe through Amazon. PLease everyone, find it.
January 9, 2025.

https://a.co/d/gS2yNNU

[AMOS OSONDU · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's passion, earnestness, commitment if you wish, is extraordinary. Make no mistake about it, although this is an awesome creative voice, it is the author's beliefs that raucously run through the whole structure. It is remarkable ...for me it was something like John the Baptist, his voice even in the remote areas shaking up society, railing against injustices. The multiple wrongs done to Africa, the culpable ones. The third party/pluralistic perspective reinforces the whole thing. Armah of course always realised that Africa too has its own fair share of such blame, especially greedy grasping so-called leaders over the centuries. But what a brilliant writer who can recreate the whole scenario

[Reyhaneh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible story that takes place during the African Slave Trade. It is written from the perspective of the Africans...a perspective that is so rarely heard or considered. The whole novel is written very poetically and heartbreakingly vivid. The author paints a very candid image of what the Africans were going through each and every moment of their existence, and he doesn't hold back any details. The book is one of its kind, incredibly eye opening, and really makes you feel the "other". Every other text I've read about the African slave trade has been from the perspective of the Europeans documenting what the Africans were going through. This, however, is so truthful it hurts.
The writing is extremely poetic and really resonated with me.

Some of my favorite passages:

"Here was a beauty to madden the soul with happiness. Here was space for wandering, here was cool darkness to soothe each spirit seeking quiet. Here was also light reaching rock and water from hidden, subtle openings above. Leaving was torture, but stronger than our pleasure here was the call of the future and the future called us to leave now, saving these spaces for impending use, not for the instant's enjoyment."

"She spoke of those needing the white destroyers' shiny things to bring a feeling of worth into their lives, uttered their deep-rooted inferiority of soul, and called them lacking in the essence of humanity: womanhood in women, manhood in men. For which deficiency they must crave things to eke out their beings, things to fill holes in their spirits."

"...there is indeed a great force in the world, a force spiritual and able to shape the physical universe, but that force is not something cut off, not something separate from ourselves. It is the energy in us, the strongest in our working, breathing, thinking together as one people; weakest when we are scattered, confused, broken into individual, unconnected fragments."

[Ty G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the key to liberation of Science and History liberation of math and liberation of mechanical time. After studying intensely the subject of white people and their nature of destruction I've come to a sound conclusions this book was a great deal of help to think outside of European concepts. This is a must

[Lisa Reads & Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A challenging read, but worth the effort. Very unique in voice and content, I feel I only skimmed the surface. Worth reading again.

[Christian Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a jarring, poetic exploration of the cultural/existential/philosophical impact that outsiders have had on the continent and peoples of Sub-saharan Africa. It is a folk tale of the and for the diaspora. A critique of patriarchy, capitalism, and racism can all be found here. If you are looking for words or ideas that can deepen your exploration of what it means to be a part of, and reconnect the peoples of a diaspora- this is your book. It might even provide a path to "the Way."

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

Two Thousand Seasons is one of my favourite novels. Admittedly, the first few pages aren't easy to penetrate but when done, the novel provides the reader with a lot to think about. It shows how the continent was gradually colonised by both the Arabs and the Europeans and the African's complicity in his enslavement. One will find the Ostentatious Cripples, the Askaris and more...

http://freduagyeman.blogspot.com/2009...


Thanks

[Sistar Kenyasue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing beautifully written and it touched me deeply.The start of my journey of knowing myself,my history and world developments.Portraying the warrior spirit of collective responsibility and survival,for Afrikan nations history interupted by invaders.The position of women in matriarchial structures displells the myth that women are unequal to men,In Afrikan societies as false.

[Baraka360 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book... will read periodically again & again for the rest of my life...

[Johnbedward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A seminal work of historical fiction. Armah creates believable characters who are in the midst of changing cultural and political landscape created by the slave trade and internal leadership decline. The main characters are young, energetic and determined to help heal a people who are at risk of being permanently marginalized.

[Tara Betts]

I need to reread this because I think I didn't really understand it at the time. Beautiful prose.

[Tswarelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. just what has been missing in our learning as a people and what is necessary from now and beyond since such knowledge already exists

[Yejide · Rating 5 out of 5]

lifechanging.

[A. B. Eugene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtfully written, should be thoughtfully read.

[Remy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth can be very hurtfull!

[Lloyd Fassett]

11/1/15 found it in a list of books and authors that Gloria Steinem likes, published in the Sunday NYTs Book Review

Gloria Steinem: By the Book http://nyti.ms/1LDVCOO

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hard for me to put down. One of those books that you hate to see end. Describes how an African tribe fought back against genocidal white invaders.

[Justin Echols · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Any way different from the predatory conquerors' road was to them diseased, unholy, dangerous. We with our way were all condemned, our very color turned into the predators' name for evil."

[Akosua Adjei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the emphasis on communal living and cooperation. It would’ve been nice to see some more into the lives of the women

[Ali Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding writing. The symbolism, allegory and ultimate truth are impeccable. MUST READ.

[Khixaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is amazing!!! it is a very detailed account of what happened to the stolen Afrikans brought to america to be enslaved. it is the literary equivalent to the movie Sankofa. a MUST read for Afrikans everywhere!!!

[Carmela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading this book right now. It starts off sort of slow, but it has such a valuable leason to teach about give and take in life. This book talks about the lessons of balance in community. Very important book to help understand the best ways to live your life.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply challenging book on my levels, to fully understand and comprehend. Clear language that somehow requires each sentence be read slowly and carefully in order to comprehend the depth of thought and knowledge in Armah's perspective.

[Sananaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooo worthwhile. Now this one made me look at the Western fascination with suicide differently. It is written somewhat poetically. There's a lot of symbolism and room for interpretation, but I got a LOT out of it.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a college course, talks about how Africa submitted/allowed Arab and White colonialists to enter the continent. Would have given it 5 stars but for a scene near the beginning that I could have done without reading.

[Maame Prempeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has taken me very long to read this book. so deep, it is a book that I believe should be in eveey black person's home, especially Ghanaians. I love Ayi Kwei Armah, master of criticism and analytical thinking, he writes to give you nightmares.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

probably the coolest bit in this book is when he gives a list of hereditary kings and tells us how bad and stupid they were, like 'this king was a sodomite', 'this king was a crippled imbecile' etc, it's cool. also the parts where he says christianity and islam are religions for slaves.

[Erwin Thomas]

Anything by Armah is magical and spirit redefining. i...know i'm easily but read it and tell me if I'm wrong.

[Haroun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Good style and well-written.