The young, bright Dantala, one of the Almajirai, tells his own story of his search for a father figure amongst companions he meets who have varying interpretations of Islam. The five part novel that developed out of it spans the period from 2003 to the present, a time characterised by a radicalisation of political Islam. The starting point for Born on a Tuesday was Elnathan John’s short story Bayan Layi, about the daily life of street boys in North Nigeria.

As a satirical writer, John embraces the position of ‘always looking at what no one else has noticed or doesn’t consider worth looking at.’ Born on a Tuesday, published in 2015 by Nigerian publisher Cassava Republic Press, and in the US in 2016 by Grove Atlantic, was chosen as one of the ten best debut novels of winter/spring 2016 by the US bookseller’s association Indies Introduce. His stories Bayan Layi (2013) and Flying (2015) were both shortlisted for the Caine Prize. He self-published a short story collection in 2008, and has also had stories published in magazines including ZAM Magazine, Evergreen Review and Per Contra. North Nigeria is Elnathan John’s home: He was born in 1982 in Kaduna, studied law in the town of Zaria and worked as a lawyer until 2012, when he decided to dedicate himself to writing full time. You can’t talk about them without talking about the conflicts between them.’ The part of Northern Nigeria I’m writing about happens to be about 90% Muslim.

‘In his 2015 debut novel, Born on a Tuesday, Elnathan John gives a face, a voice and a life to the Almajirai through his young protagonist Dantala: ‘I wanted to talk in my book about invisible people, to tell the stories that aren’t being told. But they have stories, feelings, dreams and aspirations, just like everyone. People only notice when they get violent. From early childhood onwards, they’re alone in the world and must earn their living as errand-boys, street vendors or beggars: ‘in their own country they’re treated like numbers. The story of young Dantala’s search for a place in society offers a human perspective on the violent ideological conflicts of the contemporary world.Īccording to Elnathan John, the most invisible people in North Nigeria are the Almajirai, the multitudes of Quranic scholars.

Born on a Tuesday Photo and © Carmen McCain | Photo: © Carmen McCainĮlnathan John’s debut novel, Born on a Tuesday, is an arresting depiction of life in North Nigeria at a time of Islamic radicalisation.

Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John