Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree

In the denouement, the mood shifts to one of relief and compassion, as well as confusion and questioning, as Ya Ta and the others are moved to the refugee camp. She is suddenly surrounded by white people and the English language, which are foreign to her. Though she’s studied English, her knowledge is fuzzy since she has not been at school for so long. Being at the camp is a huge relief, but it does not mean that Ya Ta’s problems are over. She continues to see her husband’s face everywhere and worries that he will find her: “How will I ever sleep easy knowing that he is out there somewhere, still alive, looking for me? (275). Ya Ta’s discovery of her pregnancy presents complex emotions. As much as she hated and feared her husband, she does not transfer those feelings to her child. Rather, she desires to prevent him from becoming like the Boko Haram men. This exemplifies Ya Ta’s Gratitude in the Face of Adversity. Even though the child is a product of rape, he is innocent, and she feels only love toward him.

The chapters in this section of the novel are short bursts of information, like a person fading in and out of conscious awareness, as Ya Ta and the others are overwhelmed by the sudden change in their circumstances. Almost immediately, Ya Ta starts referring to Zainab as Sarah again and wonders if there is a chance she’s still alive. The novel leaves many questions unanswered, including those about Jacob, her other brothers, and the many women still held captive.

The plot device of Ya Ta telling her story to a reporter is, in some ways, at odds with how she behaves when she enters the camp, emphasizing The Effects of Abuse and Subjugation on Women and Girls. Ya Ta’s trauma manifests in her anxious searching for her husband’s face even though she knows he is not there. Being in such a traumatized state might make it unlikely—or at least difficult—for her to tell her story to strangers, especially if one of them is a man. Ya Ta hiding when she hears her pastor’s voice shows that men trigger post-traumatic stress in her; even the voice of someone she trusts and admires is terrifying. Ya Ta telling her story is necessary to complete the narrative arc; maintain her characterization as a strong, resilient young woman; and support the effort to save the rest of the girls held captive. Over a decade after the Boko Haram kidnappings, survivors are still coming forth to tell their stories (Merlo, Francesca. “Boko Haram Survivors: The Courage to Tell One’s Story.” Vatican News, 8 Mar 2023).

Ya Ta’s gift of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory symbolizes her return to the world of possibilities and dreams. New opportunities, such as continuing her education, are once again open to her, and her family and values come back into her memory. She speaks of what she remembers in the form of five poems that create Chapter 213, “I Still Remember” (276). She finds that only what is most important comes back to her immediately, including the definition of democracy—a significant piece of knowledge for someone who was forced into so much. When Ya Ta’s pastor finds her, she also learns that her mother is still alive. The story ends as she thinks about this fact and how she will soon be referred to as “Ya Ta” again. The importance behind this is clear because it means she is part of a family.