The Zulus of New York by Zakes Mda

The Zulus of New York is a vivid, poignant love story woven around accounts of African entertainers in New York in the 19th century. It is one of Zakes Mda’s most striking stories. It draws on the true history of ‘Farini’s Friendly Zulus’, men who were taken to Britain and America as performing curiosities. The book packs a powerful punch, and will stir up strong feelings in its depiction of terrible real injustices and indignities, while at the same time celebrating the vigour and ingenuity of the creative spirit. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Zakes Mda is the author of the novels Ways of Dying and The Heart of Redness, among many others. He was born in the Eastern Cape but spent his early childhood in Soweto, then proceeded to finishing his school education in Lesotho. He is a prolific writer of novels, plays, poems and articles for academic journals and newspapers, and his writing has been translated into twenty languages. Mda is a recipient of South Africa’s Order of Ikhamanga. In 2017 his novel Little Suns won the Barry Ronge Fiction Prize. He is based in Athens, Ohio, where he spends his time writing and painting.