BENEATH THE COTTON: A STORY OF RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION (PART 1): 1, #1

By Gogo Muanza Matadi

"Beneath the Cotton" is a gripping historical fiction novel that tells the story of Amina, a young woman from West Africa who is torn from her home and sold into slavery in America. The novel follows Amina as she navigates the harsh realities of plantation life and the struggles of the enslaved community. Through her experiences and relationships, the novel explores themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.

As Amina forms a connection with the charismatic Bongo and is faced with the possibility of reunion with her lost love Ahmed, the novel delves into the complexities of the human heart and the sacrifices we make for love.

As the war between North and South escalates, the characters are faced with difficult choices, and their fates hang in the balance. Will Amina be able to find freedom and happiness? Will Bongo be able to join her? Will Ahmed be able to escape the plantation?

"Beneath the Cotton" is a powerful and emotional novel that offers readers a glimpse into the brutal realities of slavery and the fight for freedom. It is a moving and thought-provoking read that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gogo Muanza Matadi
• Release date: Jan 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215573778

Book preview

The Village Life : Themes: family, community, education, pre-enslavement life in West Africa

As Amina toiled in the fields of the plantation, she couldn't help but notice the arrival of a new figure amongst the other enslaved individuals. His name was Bongo, and he stood tall and proud, his muscular frame rippling beneath his tanned skin. Amina couldn't help but feel drawn to him, there was a certain air of strength and determination that surrounded him. But as Amina's life as a slave in America progressed, she faced not only physical labor and oppression, but also emotional turmoil as she struggled to hold on to her past while also trying to survive and find a sense of hope and community in the present.

In Amina's Journey: From West Africa to American Slavery, readers will follow the story of a young woman whose life is forever changed by the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. Torn from her home and family in West Africa, Amina must navigate the brutal realities of slavery in America, where she is forced to work on a plantation and suffers unimaginable hardship and abuse. But even in the darkest of circumstances, Amina holds on to her memories of her past and her dreams of a better future.

Through Amina's eyes, readers will witness the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. They will also see the deep bonds of love and community that can form even in the most dire of situations. As Amina's story unfolds, readers will find themselves drawn into a world of struggle and survival, of hope and heartache, and of the unbreakable human spirit.

Amina lived in a small village in West Africa with her parents and several siblings. The village was located in a rural area surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests. Amina's family were farmers, and they worked hard to cultivate crops such as cassava, yams, and maize to feed themselves and sell at the local market.

Her parents were deeply religious and valued education. They made sure that all of their children, including Amina, received an education and learned to read and write. She was an avid student and excelled in her studies. She was especially interested in history and literature, and she often spent her free time reading books and writing stories.

Amina's village was a tight-knit community, and everyone knew and cared for one another. The villagers would often gather together for celebrations and ceremonies, and there was a strong sense of unity and mutual support. She had many friends and neighbours, including a boy named Kofi who was her best friend. Kofi and Amina often played together and dreamed of one day traveling the world and seeing all the wonders it had to offer.

Overall, Amina's life before the slave traders arrived was happy and fulfilling. She was surrounded by loved ones, had the opportunity to learn and grow, and had a bright future ahead of her. It was a stark contrast to the difficult and oppressive life she would later face as a slave in America.

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Amina is walking home from the market one day when she is approached by a handsome young man named Ahmed. Ahmed is a traveller who has come to Amina's village to visit his relatives. He is immediately struck by Amina's beauty and intelligence, and he asks her if she would be interested in getting to know him better. Amina is hesitant at first, as she has never met someone like Ahmed before. He is from a different part of the country and has a different cultural background. However, she is also intrigued by him and his stories of adventure and travel. She agrees to spend more time with Ahmed and gets to know him better.

As they spend more time together, Ahmed becomes more and more enamoured with Amina. He begins to express his feelings for her and tells her that he wants to marry her. Amina is surprised by his proposal, as she has only known Ahmed for a short time. However, she finds herself falling for him as well, and she eventually agrees to marry him.

She is so is excited at the prospect of starting a new life with Ahmed and leaving her village behind. However, she knows that this decision will not be easy, as her parents and community may not approve of her marrying someone from a different background. She will have to navigate these challenges and make a choice that is best for her and her future. As Amina and Ahmed's relationship deepens, Ahmed becomes more and more convinced that he wants to marry Amina. He knows that his family will not be happy about this, as they have always hoped that he would marry someone from their own community.

However, he is in love with Amina and wants to spend the rest of his life with her. When Ahmed tells