Michael E Johnson
10-28-2008, 04:47 PM
I liked these 2 books and was wanting more but none so far. I have
thought some specualtion about the past and future events of this
world would be interesting.I know that the movie White Man's Burden -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Man%27s_Burden_(film)-was just
intended as a flip of the "racial roles" in US society but I have
thought that the backstory of Lion's Blood would fit in that world
too. So ant timelines , vinegettes and disucssion about the past and
future of this TL would be most welcome.If you are unfamilar with the
books info with SPOILERS about this universe is below.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion%27s_Blood
Lion's Blood (2002) is an alternate history novel by Steven Barnes.
The book won the 2003 Endeavour Award. Its followed by the sequel Zulu
Heart.
The novel presents an alternate world where an Islamic Africa is the
center of technological progress and learning while Europe remains
largely tribal and backward. Throughout the novel, both the Gregorian
calendar and the Islamic Hijri calendar are used.
[edit] Plot
The story begins with Aidan O'Dere, a child growing up in a primitive
19th century Ireland with his pagan father, Christian mother, and twin
sister. Their village is attacked by Vikings and Aidan’s father is
killed in the battle, while Aidan and the rest of his family are taken
as slaves. They are later sold to black slave merchants in Andalus and
taken to Bilalistan (southeastern North America) by the middle
passage. Many die along the way and Aidan’s mother suffers a
miscarriage.
There at a slave auction Aidan’s sister is separated from them and
sold off as a maidservant, while Aiden and his mother are sold to a
Wakil named Abu Alli Jallaleddin ibn Rashid al Kushi, owner of a
plantation called Dar Kush, known for its lenient treatment of the
white slaves, going as far as allowing them to keep native religion,
culture, and language. Before being separated Aidan swore to his
sister that he would find her again.
The Wakil has three children and among them is the youngest son Kai,
an awkward, shy boy who feels that he will never live up to his
father's expectations. One day Kai and Aidan meet and become unlikely
friends. Aiden aids him in a prank that gets him switched, but Kai
saves him from most of the punishment and selects him as his footboy/
servant. Despite their difference in status, the boys develop a strong
friendship.
Kai and Aidan grow up together and remain close, until a slave girl
that was a gift to Kai comes between them. The break happens when the
girl falls in love with Aidan leading to a fight between the two that
Aidan wins, mostly because of the strength Aidan achieved while
working as a slave instead of the training Kai received as a fighter
and swordsman. Kai, though angry and humiliated, does not punish them
and allows the two to be together.
Both boys go through several changes as they become adults. Kai
converts to Sufism, begins to show feelings to his brother’s wife,
finds himself about to be in an arranged marriage with a Zulu
princess, and begins to question the practice of slavery. Aidan,
finally with something worth fighting for, begins to chafe at the
bonds of his slavery, driving a wedge further between the two friends.
He eventually becomes involved in a slave revolt among the slaves of
Dar Kush and neighboring plantations. Usuing the revolt as cover Aidan
and other slaves attempt to flee, but are captured and Aidan's infant
son almost dies. Aidan, however, is spared punishment again by Kai who
is mourning the death of his older brother in the revolt.
Later Bilalistan finds itself at war with the Aztecs and both Kai and
Aidan join the army heading to meet them. During the last stand at the
Shrine of the Fathers, Kai takes leadership of the armies after the
Zulus abandoned them because of the death of their leader. Promising
freedom to all of the slaves who came with the army, thr Bilalistanis
manage a victory by destroying the Shrine of the Fathers with most of
the surviving Aztec forces inside it.
Kai, now a war hero, keeps his promise to free all of the slaves who
fought along with their families. On returning home he discovers that
his uncle has taken Aidan’s wife and after killing him he reunites the
two together. Kai takes his place as the Wakil of Dar Kush, while
Aidan and his family leave to start a new life as freed slaves.
[edit] World of Lion's Blood
The story is set in an alternate history world where Islamic African
nations are the dominant world power, with colonies in Europe and the
New World, commonly referred to by the characters as Bilalistan
instead of North America. The dominant nations are Egypt which is
still ruled by the Pharaohs and Abyssinia which is controlled by a
monarch known as the Immortal Empress.
Due to the destruction of Rome by Carthage and Egypt in 200 B.C.,
Europe remained largely tribal while Africa advanced technologically
and culturally with steamboats, rifles and airships or "flying boats"
by the late 19th century. The dominant Africans consider Europeans to
be inferior and treat them as a source of slave labour which is
supplied to them by Viking raiders. Southern Africa is controlled by
the Zulus while the Vikings control much of Northern Europe.
The Middle East is presumably Islamic-dominated, with references to
Egypt being at war with Persia, though a Jewish state known as Judea
is also mentioned to have been established by the Prophet Muhammad in
623 AD as part of a mutual assistance pact between Islam and the Jews.
The Gupta control much of India while China is ruled by Emperors and
apparently has a colony on the New World's western coast. Much of
modern day Mexico is ruled by the Aztecs while Native Americans
compete with the African immigrants.
On a map of Bilalistan shown in the book, Bilalistan is divided into
four provinces which include: New Alexandria, New Djibouti, Azania and
Wichita. Most of the story takes place in Dar Kush in New Djibouti,
around where the real world state of Louisiana lies. It is also
mentioned that the African settlers have driven the Native Americans
out of their territories as the European powers had done to the native
populations from the 19th century. To the south lies the Aztec nation
of Azteca which often fights with Bilalistan. Vikings maintain a
colony in the New World known as Vinland to the north of Bilalistan
and there is a Chinese colony in California.
Christianity is also mentioned in the novel, though it failed to
become a dominant world religion, with the majority of its followers
being Europeans. Without the influence of Rome, Christianity is much
more divided between traditional and Gnostic thought over whether
Christ was divine or merely a man. The Gospel of Mary is also an
important part of the Christian beliefs.
[edit] History
Following Alexander the Great's conquest of much of the known world,
Alexander made himself the Pharaoh of Egypt following a vision of
Pharaoh-hood after he had lost his leg. After the death of his first
wife, he married a Kush princess named Mesgana, who bore him twin
sons. When his sons came of age, he set one as ruler of Alexandria
with the other reigning over Abyssinia. Alexander eventually adopted
the title of Pharaoh Haaibre Setepenamen which literally translates as
"Jubilant is the heart of Re, Chosen of Amen". As in our timeline,
Alexander's capital was at Alexandria which became the capital of
Egypt. Over the centuries, history was rewritten to portray Alexander
as an African to suit the perceptions of the dominant Africans.
In 200 BC, the combined forces of Egypt, Carthage and Abyssinia
destroyed Rome, removing the last European power and paving the way
for African dominance. For a thousand years the descendants of
Alexander ruled much of the known world with Egypt ruling an empire
stretching from Eastern Europe to India. Egypt and Abyssinia also
created a major trade route along the Nile and immense networks of
canals. By 420, steamboats had been invented and were used to trade
with other kingdoms in Africa. Eventually, most of sub-Saharan Africa
was under joint Egyptian and Abyssianian rule.
With the advent of Islam, Arabic became the dominant language of that
region. In 623, Muhammad approved of a mutual assistance pact with the
Jewish people which would lead to the establishment of the Jewish
state of Judea. With Muhammad's death in 632, his followers fought
among themselves as they did in our timeline. However, this was
stopped by the intervention of Bilal. He rescued Muhammad's daughter
Fatima and fled to Abyssinia, where they were protected.
Fatima continued Muhammad's teachings and her form of Islam became
known as Fatimite Islam which eventually swept through much of North
Africa, resulting in a unified Islamic coalition against Egypt's royal
house. In the end, Alexandria was defeated through the use of a
disease carried by black barges which may be an analogue to the Black
Plague. This disease eventually swept through Egypt and its
territories in the Middle East and southern Europe. With Egypt
defeated the Fatimite Caliphate was established but both nations would
remain separate.
Bilal would live long enough to see the fall of Alexandria and was
thus revered by the masses as the last of the Prophet's companions. He
saw that politics and religion had intertwined in the Old World and
that the resulting chaos of that union were beyond repair. It was on
his deathbed that Bilal received a vision from the angel Gabriel who
told him of the existence of a continent beyond the oceans which would
be the promised land, and that the masses should colonize it for their
own.
By 1000, African Muslims explorers had crossed the Atlantic Ocean to
the New World through the use of huge ocean-going steamboats. As the
early European explorers had done, the Africans traded with the
natives for gold and exotic fruits and founded cities there. The
explorers would moved westward and would come into conflict with the
native populations there. When the last of these explorers had
perished far west in Texas, their burial site became the location of
the Shrine of the Fathers. By 1100, the Fatimites were trading with
the Aztec/Toltec empires though Bilalistan would only be officially
colonised in 1700.
[edit] Society
Like the United States of America during the 19th century,
Bilalistan's society is diverse with races as varied as Egyptians,
Abyssinians, Yoruba, Zulus, Arabs, Moors, Europeans, and Native
Americans. The dominant Africans and Arabs form most of the upper and
middle classes while the lowest jobs are taken by European slaves.
Bilalistan was originally a theocracy when first settled, though it
had become a theocratic republic by 1863. The Bilalian ruling
hierarchy consists of the Ulema, the religious body which is led by an
Ayatollah, and the Senate, the political body which is ruled by a
Caliph. Both organizations compete for control though all power lies
in the hands of the Caliph, who is appointed by the Pharaoh of Egypt.
The Senate is divided into a House of Lords and House of Commons.
Below the Caliph are four Governors who governs each of the four
provinces of Bilalistan. These Governors are also assigned or appoint
Wakils which rule fiefdoms within the provinces and are apparently
part of the aristocracy. Arranged marriages are practised between the
Wakils. Citizens, whether male or female, are allowed to vote though
slaves have no citizenship and little rights. Many slaves are forced
to convert to Islam and take Islamic names.
The Bilalian hierarchy ranges from the Caliph and Ayatollah, the
Houses of Lords and Commons and the Judiciary which create both
religious and common laws. For laws to be passed, they must be
accepted by majorities in both Houses which hold legislative power and
the Caliph and Ayatollah which have executive power over the state.
Common laws can be overturned by a two-thirds majority within the
Ulema while religious laws can only be overturned by the Ayatollah and
the Pharaoh.
[edit] Animals
Like the Europeans the Muslim explorers brought exotic animals to
Bilalistan, most notably the Savannah buffalos, which were imported by
the Zulu in order to carry out hunts. Most dogs are considered impure
due to the prevailing Islamic culture, with the possible exception of
Greyhounds in New Alexandria, and Zulu Ridgebacks in the Zulu kraals.
However, many forms of monkeys are kept as pets. Baboons, (or thoths,
as they are known), are used to track down runaway slaves, often with
brutal consequences.
thought some specualtion about the past and future events of this
world would be interesting.I know that the movie White Man's Burden -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Man%27s_Burden_(film)-was just
intended as a flip of the "racial roles" in US society but I have
thought that the backstory of Lion's Blood would fit in that world
too. So ant timelines , vinegettes and disucssion about the past and
future of this TL would be most welcome.If you are unfamilar with the
books info with SPOILERS about this universe is below.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion%27s_Blood
Lion's Blood (2002) is an alternate history novel by Steven Barnes.
The book won the 2003 Endeavour Award. Its followed by the sequel Zulu
Heart.
The novel presents an alternate world where an Islamic Africa is the
center of technological progress and learning while Europe remains
largely tribal and backward. Throughout the novel, both the Gregorian
calendar and the Islamic Hijri calendar are used.
[edit] Plot
The story begins with Aidan O'Dere, a child growing up in a primitive
19th century Ireland with his pagan father, Christian mother, and twin
sister. Their village is attacked by Vikings and Aidan’s father is
killed in the battle, while Aidan and the rest of his family are taken
as slaves. They are later sold to black slave merchants in Andalus and
taken to Bilalistan (southeastern North America) by the middle
passage. Many die along the way and Aidan’s mother suffers a
miscarriage.
There at a slave auction Aidan’s sister is separated from them and
sold off as a maidservant, while Aiden and his mother are sold to a
Wakil named Abu Alli Jallaleddin ibn Rashid al Kushi, owner of a
plantation called Dar Kush, known for its lenient treatment of the
white slaves, going as far as allowing them to keep native religion,
culture, and language. Before being separated Aidan swore to his
sister that he would find her again.
The Wakil has three children and among them is the youngest son Kai,
an awkward, shy boy who feels that he will never live up to his
father's expectations. One day Kai and Aidan meet and become unlikely
friends. Aiden aids him in a prank that gets him switched, but Kai
saves him from most of the punishment and selects him as his footboy/
servant. Despite their difference in status, the boys develop a strong
friendship.
Kai and Aidan grow up together and remain close, until a slave girl
that was a gift to Kai comes between them. The break happens when the
girl falls in love with Aidan leading to a fight between the two that
Aidan wins, mostly because of the strength Aidan achieved while
working as a slave instead of the training Kai received as a fighter
and swordsman. Kai, though angry and humiliated, does not punish them
and allows the two to be together.
Both boys go through several changes as they become adults. Kai
converts to Sufism, begins to show feelings to his brother’s wife,
finds himself about to be in an arranged marriage with a Zulu
princess, and begins to question the practice of slavery. Aidan,
finally with something worth fighting for, begins to chafe at the
bonds of his slavery, driving a wedge further between the two friends.
He eventually becomes involved in a slave revolt among the slaves of
Dar Kush and neighboring plantations. Usuing the revolt as cover Aidan
and other slaves attempt to flee, but are captured and Aidan's infant
son almost dies. Aidan, however, is spared punishment again by Kai who
is mourning the death of his older brother in the revolt.
Later Bilalistan finds itself at war with the Aztecs and both Kai and
Aidan join the army heading to meet them. During the last stand at the
Shrine of the Fathers, Kai takes leadership of the armies after the
Zulus abandoned them because of the death of their leader. Promising
freedom to all of the slaves who came with the army, thr Bilalistanis
manage a victory by destroying the Shrine of the Fathers with most of
the surviving Aztec forces inside it.
Kai, now a war hero, keeps his promise to free all of the slaves who
fought along with their families. On returning home he discovers that
his uncle has taken Aidan’s wife and after killing him he reunites the
two together. Kai takes his place as the Wakil of Dar Kush, while
Aidan and his family leave to start a new life as freed slaves.
[edit] World of Lion's Blood
The story is set in an alternate history world where Islamic African
nations are the dominant world power, with colonies in Europe and the
New World, commonly referred to by the characters as Bilalistan
instead of North America. The dominant nations are Egypt which is
still ruled by the Pharaohs and Abyssinia which is controlled by a
monarch known as the Immortal Empress.
Due to the destruction of Rome by Carthage and Egypt in 200 B.C.,
Europe remained largely tribal while Africa advanced technologically
and culturally with steamboats, rifles and airships or "flying boats"
by the late 19th century. The dominant Africans consider Europeans to
be inferior and treat them as a source of slave labour which is
supplied to them by Viking raiders. Southern Africa is controlled by
the Zulus while the Vikings control much of Northern Europe.
The Middle East is presumably Islamic-dominated, with references to
Egypt being at war with Persia, though a Jewish state known as Judea
is also mentioned to have been established by the Prophet Muhammad in
623 AD as part of a mutual assistance pact between Islam and the Jews.
The Gupta control much of India while China is ruled by Emperors and
apparently has a colony on the New World's western coast. Much of
modern day Mexico is ruled by the Aztecs while Native Americans
compete with the African immigrants.
On a map of Bilalistan shown in the book, Bilalistan is divided into
four provinces which include: New Alexandria, New Djibouti, Azania and
Wichita. Most of the story takes place in Dar Kush in New Djibouti,
around where the real world state of Louisiana lies. It is also
mentioned that the African settlers have driven the Native Americans
out of their territories as the European powers had done to the native
populations from the 19th century. To the south lies the Aztec nation
of Azteca which often fights with Bilalistan. Vikings maintain a
colony in the New World known as Vinland to the north of Bilalistan
and there is a Chinese colony in California.
Christianity is also mentioned in the novel, though it failed to
become a dominant world religion, with the majority of its followers
being Europeans. Without the influence of Rome, Christianity is much
more divided between traditional and Gnostic thought over whether
Christ was divine or merely a man. The Gospel of Mary is also an
important part of the Christian beliefs.
[edit] History
Following Alexander the Great's conquest of much of the known world,
Alexander made himself the Pharaoh of Egypt following a vision of
Pharaoh-hood after he had lost his leg. After the death of his first
wife, he married a Kush princess named Mesgana, who bore him twin
sons. When his sons came of age, he set one as ruler of Alexandria
with the other reigning over Abyssinia. Alexander eventually adopted
the title of Pharaoh Haaibre Setepenamen which literally translates as
"Jubilant is the heart of Re, Chosen of Amen". As in our timeline,
Alexander's capital was at Alexandria which became the capital of
Egypt. Over the centuries, history was rewritten to portray Alexander
as an African to suit the perceptions of the dominant Africans.
In 200 BC, the combined forces of Egypt, Carthage and Abyssinia
destroyed Rome, removing the last European power and paving the way
for African dominance. For a thousand years the descendants of
Alexander ruled much of the known world with Egypt ruling an empire
stretching from Eastern Europe to India. Egypt and Abyssinia also
created a major trade route along the Nile and immense networks of
canals. By 420, steamboats had been invented and were used to trade
with other kingdoms in Africa. Eventually, most of sub-Saharan Africa
was under joint Egyptian and Abyssianian rule.
With the advent of Islam, Arabic became the dominant language of that
region. In 623, Muhammad approved of a mutual assistance pact with the
Jewish people which would lead to the establishment of the Jewish
state of Judea. With Muhammad's death in 632, his followers fought
among themselves as they did in our timeline. However, this was
stopped by the intervention of Bilal. He rescued Muhammad's daughter
Fatima and fled to Abyssinia, where they were protected.
Fatima continued Muhammad's teachings and her form of Islam became
known as Fatimite Islam which eventually swept through much of North
Africa, resulting in a unified Islamic coalition against Egypt's royal
house. In the end, Alexandria was defeated through the use of a
disease carried by black barges which may be an analogue to the Black
Plague. This disease eventually swept through Egypt and its
territories in the Middle East and southern Europe. With Egypt
defeated the Fatimite Caliphate was established but both nations would
remain separate.
Bilal would live long enough to see the fall of Alexandria and was
thus revered by the masses as the last of the Prophet's companions. He
saw that politics and religion had intertwined in the Old World and
that the resulting chaos of that union were beyond repair. It was on
his deathbed that Bilal received a vision from the angel Gabriel who
told him of the existence of a continent beyond the oceans which would
be the promised land, and that the masses should colonize it for their
own.
By 1000, African Muslims explorers had crossed the Atlantic Ocean to
the New World through the use of huge ocean-going steamboats. As the
early European explorers had done, the Africans traded with the
natives for gold and exotic fruits and founded cities there. The
explorers would moved westward and would come into conflict with the
native populations there. When the last of these explorers had
perished far west in Texas, their burial site became the location of
the Shrine of the Fathers. By 1100, the Fatimites were trading with
the Aztec/Toltec empires though Bilalistan would only be officially
colonised in 1700.
[edit] Society
Like the United States of America during the 19th century,
Bilalistan's society is diverse with races as varied as Egyptians,
Abyssinians, Yoruba, Zulus, Arabs, Moors, Europeans, and Native
Americans. The dominant Africans and Arabs form most of the upper and
middle classes while the lowest jobs are taken by European slaves.
Bilalistan was originally a theocracy when first settled, though it
had become a theocratic republic by 1863. The Bilalian ruling
hierarchy consists of the Ulema, the religious body which is led by an
Ayatollah, and the Senate, the political body which is ruled by a
Caliph. Both organizations compete for control though all power lies
in the hands of the Caliph, who is appointed by the Pharaoh of Egypt.
The Senate is divided into a House of Lords and House of Commons.
Below the Caliph are four Governors who governs each of the four
provinces of Bilalistan. These Governors are also assigned or appoint
Wakils which rule fiefdoms within the provinces and are apparently
part of the aristocracy. Arranged marriages are practised between the
Wakils. Citizens, whether male or female, are allowed to vote though
slaves have no citizenship and little rights. Many slaves are forced
to convert to Islam and take Islamic names.
The Bilalian hierarchy ranges from the Caliph and Ayatollah, the
Houses of Lords and Commons and the Judiciary which create both
religious and common laws. For laws to be passed, they must be
accepted by majorities in both Houses which hold legislative power and
the Caliph and Ayatollah which have executive power over the state.
Common laws can be overturned by a two-thirds majority within the
Ulema while religious laws can only be overturned by the Ayatollah and
the Pharaoh.
[edit] Animals
Like the Europeans the Muslim explorers brought exotic animals to
Bilalistan, most notably the Savannah buffalos, which were imported by
the Zulu in order to carry out hunts. Most dogs are considered impure
due to the prevailing Islamic culture, with the possible exception of
Greyhounds in New Alexandria, and Zulu Ridgebacks in the Zulu kraals.
However, many forms of monkeys are kept as pets. Baboons, (or thoths,
as they are known), are used to track down runaway slaves, often with
brutal consequences.