Sing Me a Dirge

Omoyeni Ayekooto was born and raised in a small village in Africa-the last of four children and the only son. From of the age of seven, he remembers that he is the happiest boy in the whole world building castles and birdhouses from the mud. This is a carefree time for Omoyeni and his friends as they learn about their people's ways from both their parents and the trusted villagers. As Omoyeni grows physically, he also grows emotionally as he experiences the intricacies of life-complex relationships with his parents and sisters, lasting friendships, the opposite sex, marriage, and finally, death. Omoyeni becomes curious about the world outside his small village; he understands that diligence, hard work, and resolve will make more opportunities for him as will traveling to the "white man's land" away from Africa. Sing Me a Dirge follows Omoyeni as he comes of age and is torn between opportunity in Europe and the United States, and the lure and memories of village life in Africa.