The Bird of Heaven

Mandla is a young Swazi boy training to be a sangoma. After completing the quest for his muti bag, he is initiated into the mysteries of Nkosatana, the Princess of Heaven, and becomes a heaven-herd by catching a bird of lightning. But this is only the start of his path toward maturity: he participates in the annual Incwala ceremony, where he uncovers a plot to kill the King. This is a coming-of-age story with and exciting and symbolic narrative that is sure to appeal to young readers and adults alike.