IX: Taloufa's Shirttail explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Colonialism and Exploitation

  Taloufa's backstory illustrates the colonial relationship: taken from Nigeria as a 'boy' by a British official, and later his involvement with the Back-to-Africa movement as a response to colonial oppression.

• Race and Identity

  Taloufa's pride in his African identity ('I'm foursquare one hundred percent African') contrasts with the racial dynamics in Marseilles, and his experience of the Cardiff riots and American deportation highlight racial tensions.

• Community and Comradeship

  The group of beach boys supports each other, as seen when Banjo persuades Taloufa to play music, and when they debate how to handle the robbery, showing both solidarity and conflict.

• Freedom vs. Survival

  Taloufa's life as a wanderer and his refusal to press charges against the girl reflect a tension between personal freedom and the practical need to survive on the beach.

Characters to notice

• Taloufa

  Reveals his backstory: born in Nigerian bush, mission school, served an Englishman, ran away to Cardiff, experienced riots, deported from America, and remains a believer in Garvey's Back-to-Africa movement. He is robbed by a girl he picks up.

• Banjo

  Takes Taloufa to see the breakwater, persuades him to leave a girl to play music for English visitors, and later comments on Taloufa's romantic choices.

• Bugsy

  Scorns Taloufa for being robbed, urges him to involve the police, and accompanies him to search the girl's room.

• Ginger

  Arranges Taloufa's clothes after the robbery, advises against going to the police, and explains the situation to the policeman.

• Malty Avis

  Indifferent to Taloufa's loss, refuses to go with the police, and comments on the principle of the matter.

• Ray

  Present at the hangout with two English guests, and earlier engages in a discussion with Taloufa about Garvey and the Back-to-Africa movement.

• Goosey

  Sings in the band and is part of the group at the hangout.

• Dengel

  Present at the hangout with the others.

Key passages

• “Taloufa came from the Nigerian bush. He had attended a mission school where he learned reading, arithmetic, and writing. He was taken to Lagos by a minor British official. And when the Englishman was returning to England he took Taloufa along as a 'boy.'”

  Taloufa grew up in rural Nigeria, received a basic education at a mission school, and was brought to England by a British official who employed him as a servant.

  This establishes Taloufa's colonial background and his early exposure to British influence.

• “He was there during the riots of 1919 between colored and whites, and he got a brick wound in the head.”

  Taloufa was in Cardiff during the 1919 race riots and was injured by a brick thrown during the violence.

  This references a real historical event and highlights the racial conflict Taloufa experienced.

• “In America he had joined the Back-to-Africa crusade and was a faithful believer in the Black Star Line bubble, the great dream of commerce that was to link Negroes of the New World with those of Africa.”

  While in the U.S., Taloufa became a devoted supporter of the Back-to-Africa movement and invested in the Black Star Line, a commercial venture that promised to connect African Americans with Africa.

  This shows Taloufa's political and ideological commitments.

• “Taloufa maintained that the Back-to-Africa propaganda had worked wonders among the African natives. He told Ray that all throughout West Africa the natives were meeting to discuss their future, and in the ports they were no longer docile, but restive, forming groups, and waiting for the Black Deliverer, so that, becoming aroused, the colonial governments had acted to keep out all propaganda, especially the Negro World, the chief organ of the Back-to-Africa movement.”

  Taloufa believed that the Back-to-Africa movement had inspired Africans to organize and resist colonial rule, prompting colonial authorities to suppress such propaganda.

  This illustrates the impact of Garveyism on African consciousness and colonial fears.

• ““The Black Deliverer has delivered himself to the ofays’ jailhouse,” said Ray. “It’s the damned English that got him there,” said Taloufa.”

  Ray sarcastically notes that Garvey is in prison, and Taloufa blames the English for his imprisonment.

  This dialogue reflects differing views on Garvey's fate and the role of British intelligence.

• ““I’m not kidding at all,” responded Taloufa. “I’m foursquare one hundred percent African.””

  Taloufa insists that he is completely and proudly African, rejecting any dilution of his identity.

  This emphasizes Taloufa's strong racial and cultural pride.