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KARIBA
ISBN 9781946395825 | paperback | $19.99 | publication date Aug 2023
An African fantasy-adventure graphic novel inspired by the mythology of the Zambezi River and the history of the Kariba Dam, one of the largest dams ever constructed.
Siku has always called the Zambezi River her home. She understands the water – and strangely enough, it seems to understand her, too, bending to her will and coming to her aid in times of need. But things are changing on the river – a great dam is being built, displacing thousands of Shonga people – and things are changing in Siku, too, as her ability to manipulate water grows out of control, and visions of a great serpent pull her further from reality and her loving father, Tongai.
When Tongai ventures to the Kariba Dam to find a cure for Siku and never returns, she sets off to find him with the help of Amedeo, the young son of Kariba’s chief engineer. Together, they traverse elephant graveyards, rugged jungles, and ancient ruins, outrunning pirates, bootleggers, and shape-shifting prophets ready to use Siku to their own advantage. But she soon discovers that her father has been shielding a terrible secret: Siku is actually the daughter of Nyaminyami, the Great River Spirit, and the only way to bring about the necessary rumuko – a ritual which has brought balance to the Zambezi for centuries – is for Siku to give up the only life she’s ever known.
With the future of the Shonga resting on her shoulders, Siku must journey to the source of the river to understand the ancient power hidden within her.
REVIEWS
“The art is utterly breathtaking throughout, saturated with sumptuous color, enhanced with stupendous details, vivid with energy and action. [A] wow-inducing phenomenal gift to be treasured.” —Booklist, starred review
“The art is detailed and lush, with beautiful colors throughout. […] Kariba is a mystical graphic novel about magic, self-discovery, and the delicate balance between human ambition and the natural world.” — Foreword Reviews, starred review
“A dynamic, mystical coming-of-age story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“[W]ith its sinuous, fantastic shapes and deep greens and blues, the book recalls Studio Ghibli works such as The Red Turtle or My Neighbor Totoro.”— Youth Services Book Review
"The style is aesthetically well-developed in warm and bright colours in the images as well as dreamy language use... The characters are offered space for more down-to-earth jocular interaction (Latin-speaking pirates for example!) with expressive facial and bodily features, and graphic depictions of the dramatic events. The same delicate balance holds for the plotline: it is mythical and reflective, but also dynamic and full of action."—Africa Book Link
“A rich and lushly inhabited telling of stories about struggle and resistance against environmental and colonial oppression, KARIBA brings a loveable ensemble of characters together with vibrancy to tell a story that jumps off the page. Beautifully illustrated evoking the expansive storytelling found in works such as Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke. It is reimaginings of our histories such as this that reminds us of the magic that exists in the struggles for a better world.” — Hugo Martínez, illustrator, Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts
“Magic, mayhem, and African folklore sprinkles across this middle reader graphic novel fantasy adventure that brings a young indigenous girl with special powers the one to save her local village from those that wish to do it harm. Inspired by the Kariba Dam conflict and filled with lush illustrations and compelling characters, this comic book will expose readers to different culture and mythical storytelling.” —Gerard Villegas, Auntie’s Bookstore
“A rich, complex narrative pairs with lush and fantastical artwork to share the life of Siku, a young girl who is tasked with hiding a great power inside her. Strong, capable, and determined to do the right thing, Siku embarks on a perilous quest that will have her tapping into the core of who (or what) she is. Pick up this stunning graphic novel and get lost in a world all its own.” —Katherine Megna-Weber, Books Inc.
“[A] riveting coming-of-age story that intertwines magic and history. […] Kariba shows Siku, her allies, her enemies, and the reader that magic and the material world are not a dichotomy with one needing to die for the other to grow. Instead, they are both parts of the whole, and we need both to live our best.” —Blog Critics
“KARIBA is a wonderful story of self-discovery, with stunning visuals fit for animation. Take your time with it, savour every panel of every page. It is indeed a visual feast.” — Setor Fiadzigbey, artist, Marvel Legends’ Black Panther
“Rooted in the richness of ancient Zimbabwean myth, gorgeously produced and brilliantly realised, KARIBA is a work of astonishing imagination from artists and storytellers of exceptional talent. One of the very best graphic novels to come out of Africa, KARIBA will move and delight readers of all ages and backgrounds for years and years to come.” – Petina Gappah, Out of Darkness, Shining Light
“KARIBA seamlessly blends myth and history with a gorgeously immersive story with equally stunning artwork that almost seems to move about the page. With a focus on protecting family, folklore, and embracing the changes around you and within—KARIBA is sure to entice readers of all ages!” — Tara O’Connor, Fly By Night
THE KARIBA TEAM
Daniel Clarke is a Cape Town-based artist working in animation, film and illustration. He started his career in animation in 2008 at Triggerfish Animation Studios, a collaboration that has lasted up until today and has seen him act as Production Designer and Art director on projects such as the feature film Khumba, BBC’s Stick Man and Snail and the Whale. As an illustrator and designer he has worked, amongst others, with clients such as Netflix, Animal Logic, The Line, National Geographic Kids, Nike, Adidas, and Penguin Random House. Daniel has worked as an illustrator and art director for international feature films such as Chronicle (Josh Trank, 2012); The Giver(Philip Noyce, 2014); and Chappie (Neil Blomkamp, 2015)
James Clarke was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and educated at the University of Cape Town, where he studied history and literature and completed his Masters in Creative Writing as a Harry Crossley Fellow. In 2016, he was the South Africa finalist in fiction for the PEN International New Young Voices Award. Kariba is his first graphic novel collaboration.
Daniel Snaddon is an artist, illustrator, and film director of Scottish-South African and Chinese-Australian descent, who grew up in Nelspruit, a short drive away from the Kruger National Park. He has worked in the animation and film industries for fourteen years, best known for his work with Triggerfish Animation Studios and with Magic Light Pictures’ animated BBC Christmas specials. Among these, Daniel served as animation supervisor on the Academy Award nominated “Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes”, co-director on the BAFTA nominated “Stick Man”, and as director on both the Annie award winning “The Snail and the Whale” and the International Emmy winning “Zog”. Currently Daniel is directing his fourth Magic Light Pictures Christmas special, “The Smeds and the Smoos”, based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (authors of The Gruffalo). Daniel served as the founding director of CTIAF, South Africa’s premiere animation festival, for 4 years.