African Cowboy

When Bappa decided to forsake his adventurous children, Ribado and Halimah, for what is regarded as a rebellious attitude against the traditions and cultures of their society, he threw himself into a vicious circle. Bappa had never thought of there being something else that is better than his cows in this world. He thought that any other job or business should be done as an alternative of survival in the absence of cows; he is one of the richest cowmen in his community, and he is happy only if his cows are satisfied, healthy, and secured. But Bappa had been living a polygamous life. He abandoned his first wife, Demmo, and her three children, Jauga, Ribado, and Halimah, and they are left struggling together in abject poverty. Ribado and his younger sister Halimah are merely teenagers, yet wise and spirited. They fight against all odds to get education, something prohibited and a taboo concept in their society; in the process, they face numerous challenges and persecution. African Cowboy author U. D. Abdulkareem illustrates the terrible effect of illiteracy and greed and the power of education and perseverance.