INTERVIEW WITH AFUA BONI

“SUNDAY” (MY MUM IS THE BRAIN BEHIND MY STORY) – URSULA M. ABANGA

Here is an insight into the mind of a young writer by name Ursula M. Abanga. Among those at the apex of the next generation of Ghanaian writers is this young writer who has dedicated presence online as more of testament to the life of an already accomplished wordsmith prolific at yarning stories. She has been an integral part of INK UP, the collective of young artistes online.

In 2019, her short story titled “SUNDAY” came and was included in the anthology larabanga. Which was published by Ama Ataa Aidoo centre for creative writing.

The story takes us to a young boy being the main character called Yelim-Ahik who stayed with his mother, father, siblings and grandfather in Gabon. In all, they were nine in the family.

This boy usually love Sundays because, on Sunday, his favorite food is been prepared and there is togetherness on that day. Since all family members are at home that day to partake in the preparation of the food.

As the story progress, you will realize that the language of the story is quite technical as to the usage of some metaphors and the pronunciations of some of the characters names is also similar. Example, where the writer compared his grandfather’s skin like a papier mache that has been left to dry in the sun, and the names of the characters like Mma, Mba  respectively.

Again, the names of their dishes is quite funny; like the Sakora which means Tuon-zafi. Whereby, Ursula explained that, the reason the spellings of the ‘Tuon’ has it ending ‘n’ is because, her mum said the pronunciation of it has the ’n’ sound. That is why, she added the ‘n’.

Aside that, the story isn’t a straight forward prose. Since it leaves you in suspense to read more to know the ending part of it. Example, in the incident of Yinloagre the 12years girl who usually likes to play when she’s been sent on an errand fell into the victim of cow.

Futhermore, According to the writer, her mum is the brain behind her story. In a sense that, she was the one who gave her the ideas of Sunday and her part was just to put it on paper. So she chose the setting to be North, and decided to use Northern names for the characters, and using expressions of that of the North because she is from the North and also wanted her readers to understand some basic things associated with the Northerners.

Moreover, as she was told by her mum, the naming of their people is mostly done according to their customs and also occasions that concides with the coming of that child. So if a child is born on a market day for instance, they give a name to the child that goes with the market day. Example, Yinloagre for instance, the Yin means God, Mma means mother, Mba means Father.

Therefore, the story is very hilarious and will help you to know certain things about the Northerners.

Below is the images and videos during her encounter with us.

 

                                                                   The writer talking

                                                                  A picture of her

                                                               The class listening to her