Maw Books Blog

A book that everyone needs to read is The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari. What can I possibly say about The Translator that would convince you to read it? What can I possible say about The Translator without trivializing it?

Daoud Hari grew up in a village in the Darfur region of Sudan. There he lead a simple life (although not always calm), loved his camels, loved the bright colorful dresses of the woman and girls, and loved to play games after dark. As an adult, in 2003 this life came to a shattering end. The government of Sudan, began gunning down villagers, raping and murdering it’s citizens, and burning villages.

The genocide had began.

Daoud’s own village was destroyed, his family had escaped and was hiding in the desert. Others were missing. Daoud, himself, had left the country but decided that with his knowledge of the English language and his familiarity of the region, he would lead foreign journalists back into Darfur. The government of Sudan had outlawed journalists, and thus by doing so, if caught he would be put to death.

Despite these risks, he helped journalists get the stories out, time and time again he helped interview hundreds of people, more than once he saved many peoples lives. About this he simply says, ” . . . you should always do what you need to do to be helpful.” And of the work itself, he says:

It is interesting how many way there are for people to be hurt and killed, and for villages to be terrorized and burned, and for children to die in deserts, and for young mothers to suffer. I would say that these ways to die and suffer are unspeakable, and yet they were spoken . . .

Speaking of the genocide:

As for the future, the only way that the world can say no to genocide is to make sure that the people of Darfur are returned to their homes and given protection. If the world allows the people of Darfur to be removed forever from their land and their way of life, then genocide will happen elsewhere because it will be seen as something that works. It must not be allowed to work. The people of Darfur need to go home now.

Speaking of the inadequate shelters being provided to refugees:

What, indeed could be built quickly enough for so many? Even so, with all the bright people in the world and so much wealth, could there not be humane shelters for such times if we are a family? Let a peace prize be reserved for those who can someday do this moral favor for humanity.

On how to keep going on:

You have to find a way to laugh a little bit each day despite everything, or your heart will simply run out of the joy that makes it go.

After his high profile capture and subsequent release he says:

I would work now in other ways to help get the story out and help return the people of Darfur and their homes in peace. What can one person do? You make friends, of course, and do what you can.

At the back of the book Daoud Hari provides a easy to understand primer to help us understand the Darfur situation as if you “were almost any Sudanese talking politics with your friends in an outdoor bar or at a university.” I found this very helpful to better understand the current situation. And I think that is what makes this book so powerful. This is not history, this is a current event! This is going on right now and we have the ability to do something about it right now!

But what can we do? Daoud says this,

Can you do that [meaning genocide] in this century? Can you solve all your problems by killing everyone in your way? That is for the world to decide. Deciding if and when the traditional people of Darfur can go home will also decide if genocide works or not, and therefore whether it will happen elsewhere again in the world. It seems to me that this is a good place to stop it forever.

That will require the repartition of the Darfur people who were expelled. The camps now in Chad can be moved to Darfur as new towns, bringing schools and clinics and opportunities for personal development to a number of areas that have never had them. From these new towns, village life and some new agriculture can blossom. A zone of protection can be created by the United Nations for this, just as they can be created for other people around the world who need protection in living balanced lives on the earth . . .

This can be done. What is more important for the world right now than preserving ways of living in balance with the earth?

I couldn’t help comparing this book to What is the What by Dave Eggers, which recounts the story of one of the Lost Boys, Valentino Acheck Deng. It is my opinion that everybody should read What is the What (see my review here) and after reading The Translator, this one should be added to that list as well. While What is the What is beautifully written with lyrical prose, The Translator has the feel of somebody speaking directly to you. It’s as if Daoud Hari is sitting in my living room quietly telling me the facts. I’m simply let into his life and allowed to quietly listen. Daoud’s amazing bravery and courage never ceased to amaze me. I was struck with how unselfish he was. This is truly a person who knows what it means to love. He knows what the right thing to do is and he’s not afraid to do it. Daoud Hari is proof that one person can make a difference in this world.

To learn more about what you can do visit Valentino Acheck Deng’s foundation website and also savedarfur.org. It should be noted that China is Sudan’s largest investor in oil and has played a critical role in Sudan and the continued genocide. To learn more about the Olympics and the role of China is Sudan visit Dream for Darfur. Also visit Daoud Hari’s website.

And if you’re not convinced to pick up this book yet, I leave you with a short film:

I’d love to know what you’ve thought of this one or your opinions on the current conflict.