5 favorite book moms in African Literature and their words of wisdom

Its Mother's Day Yaaay!

It is traditionally about real moms but this time, we also wanted to give a shout-out to the moms who helped raise us from the page.

These amazing mothers in African literature explored what it means to be a mother at a time when traditions and customs are changing, as well as marriage, colonialism and women's roles in society.

Did your favorite book mother make the list?

1. Ramatoulaye inSo Long a Letter by Mariam Ba:

“Friendship has splendors that love knows not. It grows stronger when crossed, whereas obstacles kill love. Friendship resists time, which wearies and severs couples. It has heights unknown to love.”

2. Mama Ijeoma in Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

“Let peace be. Let life be.”

3. Nnu Ego in Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta

“What greater honour is there for a woman than to be a mother”

4. Efuru in Efuru by Flora Nwapa

“She was happy, she was wealthy. She was beautiful. She gave women beauty and wealth but she had no child. She had never experienced the joy of motherhood. Why then did the women worship her?”

5. Esi in Changes: A Love Story by Ama Ata Aidoo:

".....being foolish is a sickness that so many educated people seem to suffer permanently from. Only Allah knows why..."

READ: 10 of the most powerful female characters in African Literature