Praise Song for the Butterflies

Bernice L. McFadden

Praise Song for the Butterflies by Bernice L. McFadden begins in a small fictional African village where nine year old Abeo Kata lives a privileged life do to her father’s work with the government. The family begins to crumble when her father is suspended from his job, while an investigation into theft is completed. Numerous trouble’s begins to haunt this family and her father’s mother, still believing in the old gods convinces her son to take Abeo to a religious shrine, a form of slavery.

Abeo becomes a “trokosi” a ritualized slave to the priest. His hope is that the gods will once again look down on him with favor and his family will prosper. After fifteen years of abuse, she is finally free and is given a chance at a new life yet she must come to term with her past trauma. Within her family lies many secrets that have not been relieved but with Abeo back home, they are bond to come to light. A griping tale that will open your heart to forgiveness and courage. A story with such adversity that you can’t help not to fall in love with Abeo Kata.