The Prophet of Zongo Street

Uwargida shares a folklore tale to the community children. The story begins with Baadiya, a woman mocked for being infertile. She meets Kantamanto, the oracle of the slippery sand, who explains that he is unable to help her bear children. Kantamanto gives her one of his own children who has malicious intent. After three months, her son Mewuya, a devil child, arrives. Due to the child's evil tendencies, Kantmanto prepares to defend the village. The change of day and night is the result of the devil child and Kantmanto battling each other through light and dark.^[3]

Kumi is an educated and avid reader. He preaches sermons regarding the effects of the Western influences on the Ghanaian culture. During a great storm, Kumi preaches while risking his life and is found dead. At the funeral, the narrator, who has come to understand Kumi's book, memorializes him by reading a passage from it. The nine year old boy listens to him and finds interest in what kumi says. ^[3]

Shatu is a live-in maid for Marge Hammers, an elderly woman residing in Long Island, New York. At the grocers, Shatu realizes she has lost two hundred dollars and goes home to explain the situation to Marge, who then gives her more money to finish her errands. Shatu learns that Marge then complained to Home Health Care, reporting that Shatu stole from her. Shatu makes a promise at the end of the story that she does not want to grow old or die in Long Island.^[3]

Mr. Rafique dreads the day of the Manhood Test where he and his wife, Zulaikha, must prove that they are an unfit married couple in order to receive a divorce. After they were married, their relationship became strained as it was not consummated. When the couple spends time apart, their sexual desires are heightened but they are left unsatisfied. On the day of the manhood test, Mr. Rafique prays to Allah. Mr. Rafique and Zulaikha arrive at the Chief's palace for the manhood test and find a new found respect for one another.^[3]

A young musician climbs into a cab after finishing work in Manhattan. The driver proudly exclaims that he is Armenian and learns that the musician is Ghanaian. Initially, the musician is hostile towards the driver as most cab drivers will not pick him up because he is black. The driver discusses Armenian history and claims that Armenians are the first Caucasians and true Aryans. He tells the musician that Armenians "never stop fighting" as an encouragement. When the musician gets out of the cab, the driver says "savat tanem," which he explains means "I'll take your pain."^[3]

The narrator, Yaro, explains that when he was eight, he realized he could predict death. He recounts his mother attempting to treat his Malaria at home until his condition worsened. He was taken to the hospital and placed in the terminal ward with three other patients. One patient, Bonifice, was never seen as he remained under a pile of blankets. One night, Yaro woke up to Bonifice sitting upright in his bed. He looked into Bonifice's eyes and saw Azara-il: death, staring back at him and knew Bonifice would soon die. The next day, Yaro is told he may go home. As he waited, he noticed Bonifice's empty bed and understood that Azara-il had taken him.^[3]

Felix, a Ghanaian artist, attends an art opening with a group of people in Manhattan. The group is discusses money when a woman named Greta joins them. The newly expanded group heads to a bar for drinks. While waiting outside, they begin smoking marijuana, and Greta and Felix become closer. Felix and Greta decide to split from the group and go back to a friend's apartment to have sex and smoke more marijuana while "Rachmaninov" plays in the background. The couple has a bad reaction to the marijuana, and Greta passes out. Felix decides to have sex with her to try and wake her up. Greta awakens and yells as the music continues to play.^[3]

Mallam Sile is the owner of a popular tea shop. He travels to his home town and returns with his new wife, Abeeba. Abeeba is a strong woman and dislikes how the people of Zongo Street treat her husband. Abeeba decides to confront one of the customers, a local bully named Samandu, and beats him until he pays his debt. When Sile hears the news he thanks Allah for Samandu's change of heart, not realizing it was Abeeba who forced him to pay.^[3]

Suf-yan is sitting in his apartment when the floors cave in and he falls six stories. He lands in a barren desert and realizes Brooklyn has vanished. Thousands of naked adults and children appear and Suf-yan recognizes them as friends and family members. He realizes that it is Judgement Day. As he walks, an Archangel begins calling people from the crowd and sends them to Heaven or Hell. Suf-yan is convinced he will go to Hell. The Archangel reviews Suf-yan's life and decides to send him to Heaven. Suf-yan stays in paradise eternally.^[3]

Suraju is an alcoholic and a gambler living on Zongo Street. While sitting in front of a church, he sees a witch walking and the sight inspires his next idea to make money. Although he is well-dressed, no one knows where his money comes from. One night, Suraju starts screaming through the streets. The townsfolk ask why he is afraid and Suraju explains the source of his money: he calls taxi drivers, dresses as a ghost, scares them, and robs them. Suraju explains that one driver was in fact a ghost who showed him to Hell. After telling his story, Suraju begins screaming again.^[3]