The Word of Y’Neshu: Heart of the Ijeya follows the journeys of J’Kana, a steadfast Kanawe, and his son Kamari as they navigate the complexities of familial bonds, spiritual trials, and ancient traditions. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?

It all began with J’Karo. I spent 2023 researching a plethora of African cultures and languages to develop the concept of Y’Neshu, and even discovered my own Mandinka, Fulani, Kpelle, and Mende heritage in the process. From there, it was about creating a language using linguistic commonalities from across the African continent and building in historical occupations and concepts from tribes in my own heritage and others. I figured that the best way to accomplish the learning of the culture and the language was through a story all about a Master and Apprentice, so I wanted to tell the story in two parts. The Past, which shows J’Kana’s training under Kanawe Y’Sawe, and the Present, where we find that J’Kana is teaching his son Kamari about the history of their family (more on that later). I wanted to write something that could be appreciated by everyone, but also bring to light the beauty of African cultures that are oftentimes ignored in the stream of 21st-century literature. I also realized along the way that there are other people like me at the start, who were Black and wanting to reconnect with their heritage in a way that they previously couldn’t have. So this is as much a gift to the Black community as it is to those who just love a good fantasy.

I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?

Y’Neshu is actually a J’Karo word that means “Divine Crown,” and I pulled from a number of different geographical fixtures in the African continent. Deserts, plains, shorelines, grasslands, mountains, volcanoes, and forests that span the entirety of the continent were important so that it could truly feel as realistic as it was fantastic. As I went through the story, though, it forced me to think about the finer details and how Y’Neshu itself fits into the grander scheme of the War of the Ancients, the training of the ijeya, and the cultures that blossom all across the Four Empires.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Identity is a huge focus for this story. When J’Kana and his Father, Y’Sawe (Spoiler Alert but I guess not really) are first introduced in the Prelude, they’re nameless characters with a lot of personality. You see the love between a father and son, you feel the heartache when Shifi burns, and even though J’Kana turns into J’Foja on the streets of Memifi, something in him remains joyful and playful despite it all. The exploration of the Kanawe, the struggle over the J’Karo and Batabari languages, and the backstories of other characters like Nihani, Chishashi. and J’Chera all play into that theme of identity.

Through Mahute the Dagger and the Kanawe, there also comes a thematic focus on Education vs. Tradition that brings up the questions of 1) Should we accept tradition at the expense of heritage, 2) Is educating ourselves on our history and heritage worth it if it costs us who we have become, and finally, 3) Who can be trusted to teach the history of groups whose heritage has been denied them?

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?

This is the first book in the series, and the second book is almost done! The next book continues J’Kana’s story, with more J’Karo lessons, more exploration of Y’Neshu, and a deeper connection to the ike overall! Also, it should be noted that J’Kana’s story is only one of the trilogies that I have planned in Y’Neshu! Every protagonist has already been revealed, so definitely stay tuned.

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