Title: Ancestral Sacrifice
Author: Kaakyire Akosomo Nyantakyi
Number of pages: 142
Publication Details: 1998, 2002 by Chicago Spectrum Press

Tag: Reader Review

Review by Ruth Adjei

The novel Ancestral Sacrifice tells the story of two families of different religious disposition: one of the families is Christian, the other 'traditionalist'. These two families are on very good terms with each other.

Nana and Bob Little, children from the Traditionalist and Christian families respectively, attend a traditional ceremony - an 'ancestral sacrifice'. However, Bob, scared by the proceedings, screams and protests and is subsequently thrown out of the shrine. Bob loses his way back home because it is dark and ends up in the sacred forest.

A search party is prepared in order to go to the rescue of Bob, but Mrs Little is first required to offer a lamb in sacrifice to the gods before the search party can set off. However, Mrs Little refuses to allow the sacrifice, and this ultimately results in the death of Bob Little.

The novel raises the issue of religious differences, specifically, differences between Traditional and Christian beliefs. Whilst the traditionalists believe that the culture and norm of the community should be upheld by all, the Christians believe that the Traditional religion is evil and should be abhorred by followers of Christ. The conflict between these two belief systems leads to the tragic death of Bob Little. When Bob gets missing in the ancestral forest, all that is required is a sacrifice and the approval from Bob's family in order to start the search.

Bob therefore serves as a hero of peace because through his death, the two cultures come to understand that the doctrines of these religions do not contain enmity but rather love and unity.

Another important point to note in the story is the patriotic nature of the citizens. This is demonstrated by their eagerness to search for the missing Christian boy irrespective of their religious differences.

Evidently, the author did thorough research into the subject matter before coming up with the book. The book appeals to the senses of the reader and raises thought provoking issues.

Ruth Adjei