"This is altogether a most worthwhile book, a fine example of agrowing genre of African literature... " --Choice

"Mirza and Strobel let these women speak about theirlives in their own words, and the results are wonderful.... This is an excellentbook with which to introduce students both to Africa and to life histories... "-- American Historical Review

This exploration of the lives ofthree Mombasa women reveals the complexity of Swahili society -- its ethnicdiversity, the impact of slavery, and the varied reactions to colonialism andWestern culture. They illustrate the rich interactions within the women's community, focused on family and festive or ritual occasions.