Summary

The novel opens in the New York City neighborhood Harlem in the year 1936. There is a parade through the streets to welcome Tekla Alamaya, an envoy from Ethiopia who has come to solicit financial help from African-Americans to fund the defense of Ethiopia from invading imperialist forces of fascist Italy. Professor Koazhy, a local professor of African and African-American Studies, inserts himself into the parade without invitation. He wears an antiquated Ethiopian military uniform and sirs much excitement in the gathered crowds. At the end of the parade, Koazhy and Alamaya stand with the leaders of the Hands to Ethiopia, a Harlem-based aid organization concerned with Ethiopia’s defense. Alamaya, who is a prince or “lij” of Ethiopia, gives a short, somewhat stilted speech, and then Koazhy gives a very rousing speech, calling all to donate to the cause of Ethiopia’s aid...