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Description
The Gunny SackBy: M. G. Vassanji Memory, Ji Bai would say, is this old sack here, this poor dear that nobody has any use for any more. As the novel begins, Salim Juma, in exile from Tanzania, opens up a gunny sack bequeathed to him by a beloved great aunt. Inside it he discovers the past his own familys history and the story of the Asian experience in East Africa. Its relics and artefacts bring with them the lives of Salims Indian great grandfather, Dhanji
By: M.G. VassanjiMemory, Ji Bai would say, is this old sack here, this poor dear that nobody has any use for any more.
As the novel begins, Salim Juma, in exile from Tanzania, opens up a gunny sack bequeathed to him by a beloved great-aunt. Inside it he discovers the past — his own family’s history and the story of the Asian experience in East Africa. Its relics and artefacts bring with them the lives of Salim’s Indian great-grandfather, Dhanji Govindji, his extensive family, and all their loves and betrayals.
Dhanji Govindji arrives in Matamu — from Zanzibar, Porbander, and ultimately Junapur — and has a son with an African slave named Bibi Taratibu. Later, growing in prosperity, he marries Fatima, the woman who will bear his other children. But when his half-African son Husein disappears, Dhanji Govindji pays out his fortune in trying to find him again. As the tentacles of the First World War reach into Africa, with the local German colonists fighting British invaders, he spends more and more time searching. One morning he is suddenly murdered: he had spent not just his own money but embezzled that of others to finance the quest for his lost son.
“Well, listen, son of Juma, you listen to me and I shall give you your father Juma and his father Husein and his father…”
Part II of the novel is named for Kulsum, who marries Juma, Husein’s son; she is the mother of the narrator, Salim. We learn of Juma’s childhood as a second-class member of his stepmother’s family after his mother, Moti, dies. After his wedding to Kulsum there is a long wait in the unloving bosom of his stepfamily for their first child, Begum. It is the 1950s, and whispers are beginning of the Mau Mau rebellion.
Among the stories tumbling from the gunny sack comes the tailor Edward bin Hadith’s story of the naming of Dar es Salaam, the city Kulsum moves to with her children after her husband’s death. And gradually her son takes over the telling, recalling his own childhood. His life guides the narrative from here on. He remembers his mother’s store and neighbours’ intrigues, the beauty of his pristine English teacher at primary school, cricket matches, and attempts to commune with the ghost of his father. It is a vibrantly described, deeply felt childhood. The nation, meanwhile, is racked by political tensions on its road to independence, which comes about as Salim Juma reaches adolescence. With the surge in racial tension and nationalist rioting, several members of his close-knit community leave the country for England, America, and Canada.
I see this comedy now as an attempt to foil the workings of fate: how else to explain, what else to call, the irrevocable relentless chain of events that unfolded…
The title of Part III, Amina, is the name of Salim’s great unfulfilled love, and will also be the name of his daughter. He meets the first Amina while doing his National Service at Camp Uhuru, a place he feels he has been sent to in error. Amina is African, and their relationship inevitably causes his family anxiety, until the increasingly militant Amina leaves for New York. Salim becomes a teacher at his old school, and marries, but keeps a place for Amina in his heart. When she returns and is arrested by the more and more repressive government, Salim is hurriedly exiled abroad. He leaves his wife and daughter with the promise that he will send for them, knowing that he will not. The novel ends with Salim alone, the last memories coming out of the gunny sack, hoping that he will be his family’s last runaway.
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★★★★★ 5
Nice little jewelry box
Color: Cloud White, Material Type: Paper, PU
Just what I wanted in size and available compartments. The only thing I am hesitant about is the paper outside. Mine is white and may get dirty quickly.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2026
★★★★★ 5
A Lovely and Useful Gift
Color: Cloud White, Material Type: Paper, PU
I bought this SONGMICS jewelry organizer box as a gift and it was a great choice. The design is beautiful and it keeps jewelry well organized. It’s compact and perfect for travel or everyday use. The person I gave it to loved it and uses it all the time.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Small and cute!
Color: Cloud White, Material Type: Paper, PU
Its perfect!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026
★★★★★ 5
finally organized all my jewerly!
Color: Black
This jewelry box completely transformed the way I store and access my accessories. It’s not just functional, it’s genuinely beautiful, with a sleek design that looks great on my dresser. The exterior feels sturdy and well-made, and the interior is soft and luxurious, keeping all my pieces protected and tangle-free.
There’s a perfect place for everything: rings, earrings, necklaces, and even watches or bracelets. I especially love the multiple compartments and drawers, which make it easy to separate everyday items from special pieces. No more digging around or untangling chains!
The mirror inside is a thoughtful touch, and the box itself feels compact enough for smaller spaces while still holding a surprising amount. It’s one of those things that makes daily routines feel a little more put-together.
If you’re looking for a jewelry box that’s practical, elegant, and gift-worthy, this one checks every box. Great for personal use or as a thoughtful present.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Small jewelry box bit potential
Color: Black
Very stable product perfect to have on dresser or travel. Keeps all of my items organized
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2026