Zulu Heart: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|2003 novel by Steven Barnes}} |
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{{Infobox book |
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| name = Zulu Heart |
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| image = Zulu Heart Cover.jpg |
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| caption = |
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| author = [[Steven Barnes]] |
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| illustrator = |
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| cover_artist = |
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| country = United States |
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| language = English |
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| series = |
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| genre = [[Alternate history]] |
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| publisher = [[Warner Aspect]] |
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| release_date = [[2003 in literature|2003]] |
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| pages = 480 (hardcover) |
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| isbn = 978-0-446-53122-1 |
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| dewey= 813/.54 21 |
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| congress= PS3552.A6954 Z85 2003 |
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| oclc= 50912769 |
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|preceded_by = [[Lion's Blood]] |
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| followed_by = Bronze Nile ''(upcoming)''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://darkush.blogspot.com/2007/08/thoughts-on-pregnancy.html|title=Thoughts on pregnancy|first=Steven|last=Barnes|date=August 22, 2007}}</ref> |
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}} |
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==Plot== |
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==World of ''Lion's Blood''== |
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''Zulu Heart'' is set in an alternate world where an [[Islam]]ic Africa became the dominant world power and Europe remained primitive. It continues the story of a young African nobleman, Kai ibn Jallaleddin ibn Rashid al Kushi, and his former slave, the [[Irish people|Irishman]] Aidan O'Dere. |
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== References == |
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The story is set in an [[alternate history]] world where [[Islam]]ic Africa is the dominant world power, with colonies in Europe and the [[New World]], commonly referred to by the characters as [[Bilalistan]] instead of America. The dominant nations are [[Egypt]] which is still ruled by the [[Pharaoh]]s and [[Abyssinia]] which is controlled by a [[monarch]] known as the Immortal Empress. |
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{{Reflist}} |
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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 [[airship]]s 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. [[Southern Africa]] is controlled by the [[Zulu]]s while the [[Viking]]s control much of [[Northern Europe]] and maintain a colony in the New World known as [[Vineland]]. |
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[[Category:American alternate history novels]] |
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[[Category:American science fiction novels]] |
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The [[Middle East]] is presumably Islamic-dominated though a [[Jewish]] state known as [[Judea]] is also mentioned to have been established by the [[Prophet]] [[Muhammad]] in [[623|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 [[Aztec]]s while [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]]s compete with the African immigrants. |
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{{2000s-ah-novel-stub}} |
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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 [[Europe]]an powers had done to the native populations from the 19th century. To the south lies the Aztec nation of Azteca which fights with Bilalistan. |
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[[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. |
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==History== |
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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]]i 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. |
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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|420 AD]], [[steamboat]]s 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. |
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With the advent of [[Islam]], [[Arabic]] became the dominant language of that region. In [[623|623 AD]], Muhammad approved of a mutual assistance pact with the [[Jewish]] people which would lead to the establishment of a Jewish state [[Judea]]. With Muhammad's death in [[632|632 AD]], his followers fought among themselves as they did in our timeline. However, this was stopped by the intervention of [[Bilal ibn Ribah|Bilal]], who in our timeline is known to be an Abyssinian who Muhammad chose as his [[muezzin]], and was the first black convert to Islam. He rescued Muhammad's daughter [[Fatima]] and fled to Abyssinia, where they were protected by Mesagana, who had by then assumed the title of Immortal Empress, in the process angering the rulers of Egypt. |
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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 Abyssinians assumed control much of the earlier's former territories, giving rise to the [[Fatimid|Fatimite Caliphate]]. |
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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. |
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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. The first cities to be founded were New Djibouti and New Alexandria. The explorers would move westward and would come into conflict with the native populations. When the last of these explorers had perished far west in the [[Mid West]], 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. In 1873, Bilalistan was engaged in a war with Azteca. |
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==Society== |
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Like the [[United States]] of America during the 19th century, Bilalistan's society is diverse with races as varied as [[Egyptians]], [[Ethiopian|Abyssinian]]s, [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]], [[Zulu]]s, [[Arab]]s, [[Moors]], [[European ethnic groups|European]]s, [[Jew]]s and [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]]s. The dominant Africans and Arabs form most of the upper and middle classes while the lowest and dirtiest jobs are taken by European slaves. |
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Bilalistan was originally a [[theocracy]] when first settled, though it had become a [[Islamic Republic|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]]. |
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Below the Caliph are four [[Governor]]s who governs each of the four provinces of Bilalistan. These Governors are also assigned or appoint [[Wakil]]s which rule [[fiefdom]]s within the provinces and are apparently part of the [[aristocracy]]. [[Arranged marriage]]s are practised between the Wakils. Citizens, whether male or female, are allowed to vote though slaves have no citizenship and little rights. |
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The Bilalian hierarchy ranges from the Caliph and Ayatollah, the Houses of Lords and Commons and the [[Judiciary]] which create both [[religious law|religious]] and [[common law]]s. For laws to be passed, they must be accepted by majorities in both Houses which hold legislative power and the Caliph and Ayatollah whichhave 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. Whites are required to convert to Islam and take an Arab or African name. |
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Latest revision as of 21:45, 30 June 2022
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| Author | Steven Barnes |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Alternate history |
| Publisher | Warner Aspect |
Publication date | 2003 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 480 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 978-0-446-53122-1 |
| OCLC | 50912769 |
| 813/.54 21 | |
| LC Class | PS3552.A6954 Z85 2003 |
| Preceded by | Lion's Blood |
| Followed by | Bronze Nile (upcoming)[1] |
Zulu Heart is a 2003 alternate history novel by Steven Barnes, a sequel to the 2002 book, Lion's Blood.
Plot
[edit]Zulu Heart is set in an alternate world where an Islamic Africa became the dominant world power and Europe remained primitive. It continues the story of a young African nobleman, Kai ibn Jallaleddin ibn Rashid al Kushi, and his former slave, the Irishman Aidan O'Dere.
References
[edit]- ^ Barnes, Steven (August 22, 2007). "Thoughts on pregnancy".
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