Changa's Safari

[The Griot]

Changa, in traditional Swahili garb. Illustration by Stan Weaver, Jr.

[The Griot]

Panya, dressed in traditional Yoruba clothing for a disciple of Oya. Illustration by Stan Weaver, Jr.

[Battle]

Interesting...

I didn't imagine Changa in all of that garb.  I guess this must be an alternate outfit for him.
I've always pictured him looking like Kale (voiced by Dennis Haysbert from the All State Insurance commercials) from the DreamWorks animated movie, "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas"  but including  a leather vest protecting his bare chest and metal bracelets protecting his wrists instead.

"That's enough, Panya...!"

Now that drawing of the Tuareg is close to how I pictured him yet needs work. Mysteriously silent. Robed and only his eyes are shown.

[The Griot]

That's a nice image, but not what I want for Changa. I'm going for someone more authentic with the times. His dress varies based on where he is.

[Battle]

His dress varies based on where he is.

Ah, O.K. ...

Authenticity is always a good thing!

[The Griot]

Amir Zakee in traditional Yemeni dress.

[The Griot]

A couple more images will come soon. I'm working toward a Changa's Safari graphic novel and a animation short. I'm considering either crowd funding or investors. I have a team for the graphic novel; I'm working on the animation. This will jump off 2013, after I release Changa's Safari Volume 3. I like to plan ahead.

[The Griot]

Mikaili, Changa's navigator, in traditional Amhara (Ethiopian) dress.

[Imaro]

NICE, eagerly awaiting more Sword and Soul books from you!!! Part three of Changa' Safari and the sequel to Griots can't get here soon enough for me.

Paul F

[The Griot]

Thanks, Paul! Just so y'all know. I've been asked to send books to the largest black book distributor in the country. If all goes well you'll be able to find my books on the shelves of your local black book store.

[Imaro]

THAT'S WHAT UP, Congrats!

Paul F.

[The Griot]

Thanks, bruh. You plan for things to happen, but when they begin to happen they still take you by surprise. I'm like, 'this is actually working! Damn!' 

[Imaro]

You can't be stopped, you can only quit trying. I glad to be able to support your journey [iGriot[/i] Davis. The destiny of a righteous man is paved by the footfalls of his ancestors...

Paul Ferdinand

[The Griot]

Thanks, Paul. I really appreciate all the support. There's a good amount of Changa adventures in the future. As long as I can write about him and his friends without forcing the stories I'll do so. There are two pre-Safari stories waiting in to be published in a couple of anthologies and I plan a collection of stories titled, 'Before the Safari' once I finish Changa's Adventures. Once it's all written I hope to take the tales into graphic novels and possibly animation. I hope y'all stay along for the ride.

[The Griot]

In 2010 I did something I rarely do, submit a story to an anthology. The anthology was titles Roar of the Crowd, and each story was to involve a situation where the crowd watching a spectacle was integral to the plot. I submitted a Changa prequel story entitled, Mbogo Returns. The story was selected but unfortunately I received notice from the publisher today that the book would not be released due to the publisher's financial issues. So here you go, Changa folks! A story that answers the question 'How did Changa meet the Tuareg?'

http://www.scribd.com/doc/98233563/Mbogo-Returns