Djeliya by Juni Ba - Quinn's Curios

First, a word from the publisher: Inspired by West African folklore and stories handed over centuries, this unique graphic novel follows the adventures of Mansou, last prince of a dying kingdom, and Awa, his loyal Djeliya, or ‘royal storyteller’ as they journey to meet the great wizard who destroyed their world and then withdrew into his tower, never to be seen again. On their journey they’ll cross paths with friend and foe, from myth and legend alike, and revisit the traditions, tales, and stories that gave birth to their people and nurture them still. But what dark secret lies at the heart of these stories, and what purpose do their tellers truly serve?

What Worked For Me:

The art style is extremely stylized; reading it reminded me of Samurai Jack, among other things. The author’s bio confirmed the connection: “Juni Ba is what happens when the influences of 2000s era Cartoon Network enter the brain of an average Senegalese boy.”
It was interesting to experience some of the stories and myths of a different culture. The inclusion of a bibliography, a glossary of sorts, and lots of terms that needed to be translated to English meant I felt like I was learning something as I enjoyed the story.
The story grapples with a lot of heavy themes, from child soldiers and propaganda to the weight of legacy and the price of power.
I enjoyed the ending. First, Mansour Keita, “the last surviving son of a dynasty that once ruled over the most powerful kingdoms in history,” was NOT the “chosen one.” Instead, that role falls to Awa Kouyate, Mansour’s djeli, storyteller and keeper of history. When given the power to change the world, though, she doesn’t take it upon herself; instead, she asks the people about how she should proceed. Maybe I’m not well read enough, but that hasn’t happened in any of the Western fiction I’ve read.

What Didn’t:

The non-chronological storytelling wasn’t always easy to follow. I’m guessing the story and characters would make more sense over a second read (which the author actually encourages with the inclusion of a variety of Easter Eggs); since I borrowed this work from the local library, I may not have the chance for a second reading.
I liked the ending, but I could see how others might be frustrated by it. As I mentioned above, one of the characters is given the power to more-or-less reshape the world. Instead of taking it upon herself to use this power, she asks the people of the world how they would like it used. With that said, we are not given a conclusive answer for what the people chose; instead, the story asks: “what would you (the reader) choose?” Basically, if you are looking for a book where every loose end is tied up, this may not work for you.

Conclusion:

I enjoyed this work. The art, the mythology, and the ending were all very fresh to me. This one is definitely worth a look if your reading list has been steeped in Western authors / artists. It may also be worth a look if you love (or are nostalgic for) “2000s era Cartoon Network.”

Check it out here.

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