Nqdja is a mystical concept that exists in various ancient cultures, particularly in Native American traditions. It is often referred to as the "magical reality" that lies beyond our ordinary perception and understanding of the world. Nqdja is believed to be a realm where spirits, animals, and nature intertwine, and where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms blur. In the context of Native American spirituality, nqdja is seen as a force that permeates all living beings and the natural world. It is understood as an interconnectedness and harmony that humans can tap into through rituals, ceremonies, and deep spiritual practices. Through their connection to nqdja, shamans can communicate with spirits and seek guidance, healing, and protection.
Elsa Wiehe, Ed. D. Boston University
This erroneous linkage is not surprising, given the extent to which the current Egyptian state invests into tracing a linear connection between ancient Egypt as a precursor to the modern nation-state, a discourse that builds a grandiose millennial narrative of the grandeur of Egypt, often with the function to hide its present failures. The plot is articulated around a magical happening an ancient Egyptian teacher named Titi appears in the form of a cartoon when prompted by an amulet that Nadia brought back from her recent vacation to Egypt.
Through their connection to nqdja, shamans can communicate with spirits and seek guidance, healing, and protection. The magical reality of nqdja is characterized by its fluidity and transformative nature. It is said that individuals who have experienced nqdja enter a trance-like state, where they can travel between different dimensions, commune with their ancestors, and gain profound insights and visions.
The Magical Reality of Nadia (Magical Reality of Nadia, Book 1)
"Inspired by the author's . . . experiences, this . . . novel follows sixth grade Egyptian immigrant Nadia as she navigates the ups and downs of friendships, racism, and some magic, too! Nadia loves fun facts. Here are a few about her: she collects bobbleheads--she has 77 so far ; she moved from Egypt to America when she was six years old ; the hippo amulet she wears is ancient--as in it's literally from ancient Egypt ; and she's going to win the contest to design a new exhibit at the local museum. Because how cool would that be?! (Okay, so that last one isn't a fact just yet, but Nadia has plans to make it one.) But then a new kid shows up and teases Nadia about her Egyptian heritage. It's totally unexpected, and totally throws her off her game. And something else happens that Nadia can't explain: Her amulet starts glowing! She soon discovers that the hippo is holding a hilarious--and helpful--secret. Can she use it to confront the new kid and win the contest?" Follett
Searching for a book to recommend to my 10-year old Arab-Mauritian-American daughter, whose identities are grounded across cultures and countries, I turned to The Magical Reality of Nadia, wondering how it addressed the theme of interculturality and belonging. The book is centered on the story of Nadia, a studious 6th grader whose parents emigrated from Egypt to the United States when she was a young child. Nadia prides herself in knowing “fun facts” – trivia about ancient Egypt – which are dotted throughout the book. Her four friends are each from different cultural backgrounds, coming together in a group who call themselves “the Nerd Patrol.” The plot is articulated around a magical happening: an ancient Egyptian teacher named “Titi” appears in the form of a cartoon when prompted by an amulet that Nadia brought back from her recent vacation to Egypt. The group of friends develop a school project for the local museum of American history on “What makes America, America” (p. 26). They choose to tell the stories of their families’ arrival and immigration to the United States. In school, Nadia experiences racism from a classmate who makes fun of aspects of Egyptian culture and identity and negatively compares them against his white anglo-American norms. Titi uses his magic to help the Nerd Patrol complete their project – a performance of all the ways immigrants to the United States have built this country.
The strengths of this book lie in the ways the author inserts aspects of Egyptian culture into Nadia’s identity and in the story overall. Teachers who wish to discuss the complexities of diasporic, multicultural identities will find this material useful and generative, particularly because the narrative represents Nadia as negotiating multiple identities, and as a young person with agency over her self-representation. She is proud of her heritage; she asserts herself as she rejects racist remarks from her classmate, and grapples with learning multiple perspectives from her group of multicultural friends. Egyptian American students will find little bits of “home” in the specific references to beloved foods like Kushary or the way she calls her father “Baba.” The influence of ancient Egyptian history is also noteworthy. Students will learn the origins of toothpaste, mathematics, and papyrus to expand their knowledge of modern contributions of ancient Egyptian civilizations. While not central to the plot, the parents’ story of fleeing Egypt after protesting to topple the Mubarak regime offer an important historical glimpse into the revolts of the Arab Spring and the ways this shaped the experience of a family.
However, there are several major problems with this book: one is the way modern Egyptian culture is directly and uncritically linked to ancient Egyptian history, with references embedded throughout the book. This erroneous linkage is not surprising, given the extent to which the current Egyptian state invests into tracing a linear connection between ancient Egypt as a precursor to the modern nation-state, a discourse that builds a grandiose millennial narrative of the grandeur of Egypt, often with the function to hide its present failures.
Second, the immigration project – “Immigreat” – that the students develop to present at their school is underpinned by antiquated melting pot ideologies that feed into problematic notions of the United States as an opportunity for advancement for all. One friend of Nadia’s explains: “our country’s story is not just that of scientists and authors and inventors (…) it is also the story of ordinary people who came here to make this nation their new home” (p.141). More egregiously, the narrative of immigration and belonging actually erases the experiences of Native Americans and Black Americans and glosses over centuries of enslavement and genocide. Native Americans are briefly mentioned two times, and there is one mention of enslavement. The story favors the theme of immigration in a way that whitewashes its history. Nadia describes: “unless you are Native American, we all have an immigrant story in our past. Each of us is here today because one of our ancestors came to America and started a life for their family” (p. 152, emphasis added by author). A vague mention of a “difficult history” follows when Sarah, who is her friend from Jamaica, says “our ancestors went through a lot to get us here (…) there are some things -hard things- we wish they hadn’t had to go through” (p.148). However, this snippet is so elusive that it does not justice to the histories of enslavement, indenture, and genocide that were formative to the founding of the United States.
Author Bassem Youssef is a renowned Egyptian surgeon, comedian, and political activist who left Egypt after the military took over. He has had a public presence on CNN and other media, and is well-known in the Arab world. He has succeeded in writing a novel that captures the complexity of diasporic identities and is developmentally written for upper elementary and middle school readers. However, the imperative to squarely face the racist founding of the United States and the way it still differentially impacts social groups makes the narrative around immigration partial, erroneous, and ultimately educationally unacceptable. My daughter enjoyed reading about many aspects of Nadia’s life. However, we had very critical conversations about the history it presented, which is how I suggest all teachers and readers should approach this book.
Elsa Wiehe, Ed. D. Boston University
Published in Africa Access Review (June 9, 2021)
Copyright 2021 Africa Access
Correction: This review previously misspelled Youssef's name.
This altered state of consciousness allows them to access hidden knowledge and wisdom that can guide their communities and facilitate healing. While nqdja is deeply rooted in ancient traditions, its relevance and significance continue to resonate in modern society. In a world where people are increasingly disconnected from nature and yearn for a deeper spiritual connection, nqdja offers a reminder of the profound beauty and power of the natural world. It encourages individuals to transcend the limitations of their ordinary perception and embrace a broader understanding of reality. By acknowledging and embracing the magical reality of nqdja, individuals can tap into their own inner power, connect with the energy of the universe, and cultivate a sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. It invites us to question our assumptions and beliefs, and to explore the mysteries and wonders of the world with a sense of awe and reverence. Ultimately, the magical reality of nqdja reminds us that we are part of a much greater whole. It reminds us of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature. By cultivating a deep respect and reverence for the magical reality of nqdja, we can find healing, transformation, and a sense of belonging in this vast and mysterious world..
Reviews for "Exploring the Limits of Nqdja's Magical Possibilities"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I really did not enjoy reading "The Magical Reality of Nqdja". The plot was confusing and seemed to lack any purpose or structure. I struggled to connect with the characters who felt one-dimensional and lacked development. The writing style was clunky and disjointed, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars - "The Magical Reality of Nqdja" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The story jumped around too much, making it hard to follow and leaving me feeling disconnected from the narrative. The characters felt flat and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long periods of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. While some elements were intriguing, overall, I found this book underwhelming.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The Magical Reality of Nqdja" based on the hype, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The writing style was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, and the constant tangents made it hard to stay engaged. The plot lacked focus and was filled with unnecessary subplots that did not add to the overall story. The ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me feeling dissatisfied. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
4. Alex - 2/5 stars - "The Magical Reality of Nqdja" had an interesting concept, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked a clear direction, making it hard for me to stay engaged. The characters were forgettable and their actions often felt forced or unrealistic. The dialogue was stilted and lacked authenticity. While there were some moments of intrigue, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster nature of the book. I didn't hate it, but I was left unimpressed and wouldn't choose to read it again.
5. Lily - 1/5 stars - I really did not enjoy "The Magical Reality of Nqdja". The writing style was confusing and pretentious, making it difficult to understand what was happening. The characters were unlikable and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their journey. The plot was convoluted and disjointed, leaving me feeling lost and uninterested. Overall, I found this book to be a chore to read and would not recommend it to others.