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Jaguar: A Story of Africans in America

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Paul Stoller, author of Jaguar, is professor of anthropology at West Chester University. Stoller produced a novel about a newlywed African couple and their struggles, both economic and relationship wise, that takes advantage of his long anthropological study of African culture. The book is at times engaging, though it seems to follow a linear pattern that is sometimes self repeating. Jaguar also seemed sporadically infected with grammar mistakes, duplicate words and other writing mistakes.

Issa and Khadija are newlywed Africans, Issa a Songhay of noble birth, Khadija a commoner from a merchant family. Issa moves away to become a merchant and he finds Khadija in his travels and marries her, both to the great distaste of his snobbish family. Their marriage and life seem perfect while they are living in Abidjan. Issa makes an ample living and Khadija sells food at a stall outside their compound, but the fates conspire to change the economic conditions in Abidjan and this forces Issa to send Khadija away to his family while he travels to America for fortune and wealth. Economic hardships forced the couple to live great distances from each other, but the distance starts to take its toll on their marriage. Both start to wonder whether things will work out.

The book is split into sections, each containing a number of chapters. Each section details the actions and experiences of Issa or Khadija. The sections alternate in an attempt to seamlessly integrate the two separate lives, but sometimes the effect achieved was less seamless and clunkier than the author intended. The genre Jaguar falls under is called ethnographic fiction, which is defined as an ethnographic description written as a story, Jaguar certainly fits this description however the quality of ethnographic description comes as only shards of insightful looks into African culture.

Stoller uses unsophisticated prose and describes events simply, and in doing so keeps a sense of the urgency for the way both characters feels as they flesh out their lives and decide what decisions they will make. Some might feel Stoller's novel to be one dimensional, because at any time one feels like one could easily predict the direction of the book and the outcome.

The audience for this book is that of all the English speaking world, but more specifically for people wishing to learn more about African culture, or the struggles that transnational Africans face in America. Overall Jaguar was an enjoyable book that I had a hard time putting down. Though the story was very linear, it was enjoyable. The small pile of grammar mistakes did take a toll, often interrupting a compelling piece of writing, but in the end the book overcame its shortcomings. This book is recommend to anyone looking for a quick read that wants to learn more about African culture and how it interacts with American brashness.

This book is a good book to pick up if one wants to get a look into how immigrant live after coming to America in search of business. The book is a fun read and really takes the reader into the life of this African man. The book gets more interesting in the end when the reader is asking does Issa stay in America? Will he go back to his wife in Niger? And the question that captures the reader the most is will Khadija survive her in-laws? The book is entertaining and really a good book on the life of immigrants and worth the read.

The writing style of Jaguar is very natural and reads easily. Stoller successfully incorporates the jargon of transnational vendors attempting to find a common language and common customs within their community, as well as that of Jaguars seeking to become a New York City "homeboy." Stoller uses frequent repetition from chapter to chapter; this in and of itself could serve to reinforce themes and keep the reader focused by reminding them of the bigger picture that the story represent. However, many times the repeated sentiments became redundant. It was important to the story to have Khadija continue to assert her love for Issa, because that is something that may have changed. It seems, however, as though every time that Khadija ponders Yusef she must point out that he is an Arab, exclaim upon how nicely he treats women, and state that she thinks he might like her. All of this is quite unnecessary, since the writing in between each of these thoughts clearly shows his customs are different, he respects Khadija, and that both of their actions indicate attraction.
This book also has an unimaginable number of editing errors. Excluding the "homeboy" jargon, which is of course intended to be in the colloquial, there are places throughout the book, mostly in the narration which is not intended to be colloquial, where articles or conjunctions are completely left out. It is easy to fill in the blank in these sentences, but the initial notice of these errors seriously detracts from the story. Less noticeable errors are also present, such as "an" instead of "and." Quite a few of these typos pop up, but are much less distracting.
Despite some cosmetic problems, this book is thoroughly successful in portraying the lives of West African vendors in New York City, as well as other metropolitan areas; the demonstration of the experiences of those back in West Africa is similarly successful. The main characters offer common experiences of the group, while supporting characters give the potential variations in experience. This work also reveals volumes-worth of information about the cultural, religious, and ethnic contexts of these lives. It manages to compound a type of experience into a medium-length novel that would take many more pages to pick apart and portray accurately in a non-fiction, purely scholarly piece. A good read even for highschoolers, this book is a must for any liberal arts student.

Dark, fierce and quick the jaguar cat manages to adapt to diverse environments rapidly, while thriving off its natural ingenuity. Appropriately enough, in his first stab at writing a fiction novel, Jaguar, Paul Stoller depicts a young man who fits these characteristics perfectly. Jaguar, a term used by natives of West Africa to describe a man who capitalizes on his adaptability and entrepreneurship capabilities, defines the novels main character Issa Boureima. Descended from a line of Niger royalty and a clever businessman, Issa is the epitome of a jaguar in both his home community and abroad.
Exploring the multiple dichotomies of American life and African life, individuality vs. collectivism and male and female, Stoller does an eloquent job in explaining multiple aspects of a jaguars' life. Through the telling of the social lives and inner thoughts of the characters, Stoller, creates a dynamic picture of interweaving lives that all divulge a different look into the formation of community at home and abroad for West African jaguars.
Originally, an anthropologist who has spent multiple decades studying and immersing himself in West African culture, Stoller writes a convincing ethnographic tale that remains true to his anthropologic roots while delving into the feelings, hopes and desires of the people he studied. Allowing the reader to identify with certain characteristics of the novel's actors, like the need for love and acceptance, gives the reader the feeling that Stoller is confident in his capability to bring to life characters that people can relate to.

Paul Stoller has put forth a great work of ethnographic fiction portraying the life of African Muslim immigrants in America and in Niger. Being an anthropologist, Stoller represents, in much detail, the lives of Issa Boureima, his wife Khadija, and the people surrounding them. Jaguar touches on many different issues such as individuality versus the notion of collectivism, contemporary modern day gender issues and the clash of African and American cultures. By depicting the experiences of Issa and Khadija, Stoller presents a very real-life account of the way in which African Muslims survive in Niger and in America when they come as immigrants to fulfill the concept of being a Jaguar.

The detailed and entertaining storyline brought by Stoller makes the book a fascinating read. The variety of issues brought up within the book such as polygamy, pre-marital relations, the relationship between husbands and wives, the comparison and contrast between the African and American cultures motivates the reader to read curiously through the book as the plot is constantly giving new situations related to the topics previously presented.

Jaguar is a novel that can be enjoyed by many, however, the only restriction is the fact that the book calls for an older, mature audience. The book focuses on many issues that a younger audience wouldn't be able to relate to such as pre-marital relations, the relationship between husbands and wives etc... The book presents itself to be an enjoyable, fascinating and curious read as the day to day lives of the characters present real-life situations that most adults can relate to. Stoller has accomplished putting together a pleasing read that suits itself to be high-quality light reading.

Jaguar tells the story of Issa and Khadija, a young Nigerien Muslim couple. Upon Issa's move to New York City in pursuit of wealth as the first son and breadwinner of his extended family in Niger, the two are separated as Khadija remains in Niger with her husband's kin. As such, the book alternates sections between Khadija's life in Niger and Issa's in Harlem, focusing on the respective challenges they face. Issa's struggle stems from his life as a jaguar, while Khadija struggles to become a jaguar. Both Issa and Khadija prove to be authentic modern jaguars. Stoller explains the origins of the term,

"In search of adventure and fortune, Jaguars were sleek young men who in the 1950s appeared in the market towns of Ghana's colonial Gold Coast.... Capitalizing on their adaptability and their market smarts, the Jaguars rapidly integrated themselves into the local economic scene, making themselves aware of fashion trends. In this way, they quickly transformed their knowledge into profits (14).

It is the entrepreneurial and independent modus operandi that both Issa and Khadija so inherently possessed as market traders that qualifies them as modern Jaguars. Issa's struggle as a jaguar in America stems from a host of contradictions between his two lives. As a husband in a "modern marriage," he had agreed to remain faithful to his wife, yet years of separation left his sexual appetite unquenched. As a Muslim allowed four wives, Issa is torn between tradition and modernity, genuine love for Khadija and desire. Financial obligations as first son of the family and expected remittances result in an indefinite return date based upon his earnings. Amidst such difficulties Issa along is determined to succeed through patience, faith and the Jaguar mentality. His ultimate attraction to the freedom and excitement of life as a Jaguar, and obligations to his family required sacrifices that remained a constant source of struggle for Issa.

Khadija's struggle to identify as such a Jaguar highlights the inequalities she faced based on class and gender. Her humble business aspirations and desire for family were constantly hindered by outdated traditions. As a peasant married to a noble Khadija never gained the acceptance of her in-laws. She also faced difficulties as a businesswoman in a largely patriarchal society. But more often than not her resourcefulness, good business sense and kindness resulted in her success, providing an exquisite example of how such qualities can defeat an unjust status quo. Stoller is effective in allowing the audience to identify with such a powerful woman. Her ultimate self-identification as a Jaguar is a powerful statement for feminism in the face of patriarchal domination. Khadija is the undisputed protagonist of Jaguar, an entrepreneur and an empowering figure for women everywhere.

The Jaguar story is particularly important as globalization tightens its grip on the world. As the interaction of cultures, traditions and people previously unknown to one increases and intensifies, individual citizens and government policies on both sides of the cultural divide must seek and promote understanding and tolerance. It will be particularly important in places like America where economic incentives attract Jaguars from every corner of the globe. As such, Jaguar is strongly recommended by this review.

Paul Stoller, an anthropologist, has specialized in ethnographic study of the traditions of the Songhay people of the Republic of Niger in 1976 to 1990, previous research among West African street vendors and art traders in New York City, and is the author of the entertaining ethnographic fictional book, Jaguar: A Story of Africans in America. Stoller's literary work fulfills the quest of providing an enlightening anthropological study of the African family and culture in Niger Africa, while bridging the transition of the life of a noble man in Africa, Issa Boureima, to the life of an entrepreneur vendor on the streets of Harlem. The vivid and accurate story of Issa's transition as a West African immigrant to the busy streets of Harlem is a clear proof of the success of Stoller's life's work of ethnographic research in West Africa and New York City for the past thirty years. Stoller's primary interests in his ethnographic studies include film, anthropology of religion, and the various cultures within cities of Africa, as well as The United States. His primary interests are evidently explored in the themes of Jaguar: the dichotomy of African and American culture, including the exploration of the vast differences in the socioeconomic foundations, the differential struggles of individualism and collectivism, and the anthropological insights of the gender traditions of a religious heart of Muslim residing in Africa, as well as America. The backbone of Stoller's Jaguar is the support of many research fellowships and grants, in which Stoller has used to provide his readers with a story thriving with detail of success and setback, of a sense of aching Diaspora, and the life adjustments of a kept man, restricted by his role in family, to the changing life in a free world that no longer acknowledges boundaries.
The questionable fate of a kept, noble, West African man in a borderless world of possibility engages every reader to explore the Issa's economic and marital responsibilities of his family, deemed to the eldest son, while finding his identity as an African immigrant in America. Issa, the eldest son born of a noble, merchant family of Niger, holds the responsibility to uphold the longevity of the prosperity of his family. Stoller illustrates the intensity of the family's frail entitlement in a seemingly third world country, climaxing the problematic concern of Issa's marital defiance by claiming a wife outside of the noble kin.
Confronted with economic destitution in Africa, Issa's struggles to fulfill the responsibilities of providing for his family, and a hopeful Issa leaves his new wife, Khadija, and family to seek his fortune in America. Stoller's exemplifies a borderless American experience with Issa's "sinful" decisions of retaining many girlfriends, defying immigration laws, and living freely in a country of opportunities. Triumph and disappointed in endured in Issa's combat for success as a young African vendor on the streets of Harlem, selling knock-off designer bags and hats, striving for the title "Jaguar", a West African term for a keen entrepreneur able to spot trends and turn profit in most any marketplace. Meanwhile in Africa, Khadija strives to be a "Jaguar" as an independent, modern businesswoman, while battling her marital obligations of unwelcoming in-laws in a traditional, male-dominated society. Bound by marriage, the couple finds themselves independently successful a world away from each other struggling with a questionable fate of the longevity of their triumphant prosperity when joined geographically together.
A promised lively, engaging experience to every reader of Stoller's Jaguar: A Story of Africans in America. Stoller successfully drowns the expectations of boredom of an anthropological text by delivering a fictional, lively story. The lively story provides interesting information to be learned of the anthropology of West Africa and the streets of Harlem, yet with colorful characters enduring life experiences, the hardships of an immigrant's stories, marital struggles, and trying devotions to family. Stoller presented his research beautifully throughout the well-structured book, connecting the memorable hardships of each character through every chapter. The reader is promised to feel the emotions of the characters through Stoller's compelling authorship. This timely novel is a vacation for the minds' of his readers of a dynamic world, which strays from mainstream culture, into the world of a West-African immigrant, a family of West Africa, an independent woman of West Africa, all connected with religious foundational beliefs as Muslims striving for prosperity in the twentieth century. This literary work is complete without any need for adjustments or improvements. Stoller's book can be enjoyable to all audiences in search of an entertaining novel that will have you wishing for more.

Paul Stoller, a professor of anthropology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, has spent much of his career conducting research on the Songhay people of the republic of Niger.In 1999, Stoller published a book, Jaguar: a Story of Africans in America, which is about West African Muslims who migrate to the U.S. and work as street vendors and traders. These men, who move across the globe for years at a time in order to make money, are known as Jaguars. In addition, this ethnographic fiction is about the world these African men leave behind in their native lands, and the responsibilities they have to their families living there. In Jaguar: a Story of Africans in America, Stoller illustrates the dichotomy between African culture and American culture by showing the differences in gender roles, class structures, and family. Furthermore, Stoller depicts the different views each culture has on topics like polygamy and adultery. Stoller's book also describes the tensions between contemporary and traditional gender roles. Finally, Stoller's book demonstrates a struggle between individualism and collectivism.

Jaguar: a Story of Africans in America centers on a man from Niger named Issa. Issa has gone to America and left his wife, Khadija, in Niger in search of fortune and adventure. Issa becomes a street vendor in Harlem, New York, and his life begins to change as he lives with American culture. He encounters many new things and meets many people throughout his journey. Meanwhile, Khadija is left behind in Niger with no husband, and a mother-in-law who can't stand her because of her social class. With the departure of Issa, Khadija's life changes as she struggles to define herself as an individual. Issa and Khadija faced many other difficulties, including the struggle to remain loyal to each other and resist sexual temptations. Stoller's book contains 31 short chapters and 210 pages. The book is split between two settings, Niger and Harlem, that alternate back and forth throughout the story. This is the basic structure of the book, and the settings continue to alternate with about five chapters in each section.

Paul Stoller's Jaguar: a Story of Africans in America is entertaining, and very easy to read. The book is well written, and the vocabulary is not difficult to comprehend. Stoller's book is very interesting because it teaches people about the struggles Africans face when migrating to America. It shows the difficult life styles that Africans have to live, in addition to leaving their families behind. Also, Stoller's book is very sad because African families are torn apart. Families are separated as the men leave for work and opportunity in America, in order to support their families who are left behind. Stoller's book focuses on West African Muslims living in America. He does a good job emphasizing the difficulties that many Africans face while living in America. However, Stoller does not do a good job emphasizing the Islamic aspect of the Africans lives'. For instance, the idea of committing adultery is not taken seriously in the book. Several characters commit the act, without any fear, and they show no regret. This is not Islamic because adultery is a major sin that Muslims should refrain from ever committing.

Jaguar: a Story of Africans in America is a good book in which the author does a fantastic job depicting the lives and struggles of Africans living in the United States. It is a great introduction for anyone who is interested in learning about West African culture, and the way some of them live in America. However, this is not a good book for someone who is interested in learning about Islam in the United States, because the book doesn't do a good job addressing the Islamic aspects of the Africans who live in America.

The book Jaguar is a work of ethnographic fiction by Paul Stoller, and is published by University of Chicago Press, 1999. The book talks about the experiences of a man named Issa who is a Muslim merchant from Niger, West Africa, who had fled Niger and was living in Harlem, New York so he could make more money. The book recounts Issa's efforts to obtain asylum in the U.S. and his experiences as a minority both in respect to his ethnic background and his religion. The book describes Issa's efforts not only to survive and be accepted in America, but also to send money home to his wife, Khadija, who, according to the story, is still in Africa. The book is called Jaguar because a jaguar in this sense refers to African merchants who rapidly figured out how to survive in unfamiliar environments and under harsh circumstances. According to the book, Issa's ability to survive would not only affect his prospects in America, but also how he is viewed among his people, the Songhai, and eventually, as we shall see later, his relationships with his wife.
The story tells how, initially, Issa tried to trade in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, but didn't make enough money there; so he decided to go to America, where he thought he'd take in more substantial profits. Issa moved to Harlem in New York, where he teamed up with another Nigerean called Nouhou. Issa learns that many African-Americans, in an attempt to somehow find their roots, like to hang out with Africans but do not know about the socio-cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity among Africa's countless peoples. In his makeshift illegal business, Issa discovers that selling so-called "African imports," even if they were made in China, are appealing to the inhabitants of New York, Chicago and other cities populated by a substantial number of African-Americans. Issa eventually finds a job selling hats on the street corner. Issa also finds that many of the African-American women are attracted to him by virtue of him being an African. A struggle throughout Issa's experiences in America includes that between the seeming contradiction between the lures of the promiscuity permitted in the more secularized American society and the strict rules of fidelity prescribed in Islam, as well as the American preference for monogamy, as opposed to in Niger, where a Songhai man could have many wives.
Something that makes Jaguar different than a biographical novel like Roots is the parallel that Stoller uses comparing Khadija's life in Niger and her husband's life in the U.S. For Khadija, earning respect from traders was easier than earning respect from her in-laws, who were descended of nobles and who, therefore, looked down upon her because of her profession. The reader observes Khadija's resignation to the fact that her husband won't return from America. She grows to accept, and eventually to enjoy and take advantage of, her newly developing independence.
In a traditional biographical novel, the story goes chronologically whereas in Jaguar we get to see two life stories simultaneously. The book alternates between talking about Issa's experiences in New York and between how Khadija's expertise in running her business allowed her to help support her husband's family. Just as Issa struggled with his business, government bureaucracy, Muslim faith and maintenance of his promise of fidelity, so does Khadija.
The book, Jaguar, by Paul Stoller, is a good book for any reader who wants to learn about the immigrant experience, or about the culture of the Songhai people. It's also an interesting story in its portrayal of African Americans who wish to connect with their African roots yet do not understand the complexity and diversity of Africa's various cultures.
The reader is introduced to the struggle of newly arrived people who are trying to on one hand start a new life in the U.S.A., but at the same time maintain their cultural identity. Nowadays, in the wake of the failed immigration bill, the reader will learn that immigrants who come to American have legitimate reasons to come to the US because they are fleeing some economic inequity or simply, like Issa, might want to provide for a family and to just be happy.

I loved this book! I read it almost non-stop until I finished it. I've read many books on Africa and African lifestyles, but this one was still informative. I admired Khadija for her strength of character, high principles and decisiveness in her business decisions. I was quite curious as to whether or not she and Issa would reunite, in the end. I must say that the book ended with a feeling of closure even though there were a couple of surprises. I will be looking forward to reading the next book that Mr. Stoller has very recently completed, on a similiar topic. I recommend this book for anyone interested in Africans, how some of them think, rationalize and go about the task of trying to "make it" in America.