Sankofa

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes descriptions of racism and features a quotation that obscures the author’s use of the n-word. There is also a description of child abuse and imprisonment.

Anna and Adrian travel to Kofi’s house, a gilded bungalow in a wealthy and isolated neighborhood of Segu. Kofi himself welcomes them in for breakfast; Anna notes his confident posture and posh English accent. Kofi and Adrian discuss African politics. Adrian mentions that the new president of Rwanda is a dictator, but Kofi, who hopes to make an ally of the president, reports that “perspective is everything” (165).

Kofi turns to Anna and asks what has brought her to Bamana. Anna cautiously tells him about her mother’s identity and the diary she discovered. Kofi angrily denies the possibility that he is her father. He takes the diary from her, claiming that it must be a forgery by Bronwen, and abruptly kicks Anna and Adrian out of his house. Returning to her hotel room, Anna is overwhelmed by grief. She vomits, then breaks down crying.

In the days after Kofi’s rejection, Anna ignores Adrian’s calls. When Rose calls to ask about the outcome of the meeting, Anna lies and claims that it went well; she also continues to conceal Kofi’s real identity.