Binti Quotes

“Our ancestral land is life; move away from it and you diminish.” (Chapter 1)

– Binti

Analysis: Binti explains the weight of her decision to leave home. The members of her community have a strong connection to their ancestral land. The land provides the red clay substance, “otjize,” which, in turn, connects Binti and her people back to the land. Though she takes otjize with her, Binti feels disconnected from her home as she journeys into the unknown.

“You are the pride of your people, child.” (Chapter 2)

– Travel security officer

Analysis: The travel security officer says these words to Binti after doing a deep scan of her on her astrolabe to clear her for travel. He is referring to her acceptance into a university and that she is the first of her people to leave Earth to study. His words also foreshadow Binti’s destiny as the sole survivor of the Meduse attack and her transformation into their ambassador.

“Why are you covered in red greasy clay and weighed down by… those steel anklets?” (Chapter 4)

– Group leader

Analysis: Binti’s group leader on the ship looks at everyone in her class and chooses to single her out. The group leader insults her in front of her peers and makes her feel self-conscious as an outsider because of her appearance. This is an example of the ignorance and intolerance Binti faces throughout her journey as she moves between being an insider and an outsider and ultimately becomes someone who is neither.

“We prefer to explore the universe by traveling inward, as opposed to outward.” (Chapter 4)

– Binti

Analysis: Binti describes her people’s preference to remain in their ancestral land rather than travel to new places. The Himba’s homeland fuels a strong sense of tradition and values, but it also creates insularity. In the course of her journey, Binti comes to value both types of travel. Her “outward” travel forces her to learn painful lessons and overcome prejudice, while her internal journey leads to empathy and emotional growth.

“We’re Himba. God has already chosen our paths.” (Chapter 6)

– Dele

Analysis: Binti’s best friend, Dele, tells her she cannot attend Oomza Uni because the Himba never leave their ancestral land. Okorafor bases Binti’s people on the real Himba people of Namibia. They worship a monotheist God, Mukuru, and include their ancestors in their worship. The Himba of Okorafor’s story have somewhat different beliefs but still reflect these values. Binti mentions “the seven” and a “God” that she prays to several times in the story.

“Humans must be killed before they kill us.” (Chapter 10)

– Okwu

Analysis: Okwu is parroting a general belief amongst the Meduse that humans are inherently violent and dangerous. The Meduse kill humans without distinction because they believe all humans are the same. This quote epitomizes the group mentality that justifies violence in the novella.

“His anger was rightful, but all… he said was from what he didn’t truly know.” (Chapter 13)

– Binti

Analysis: Binti notices a similarity between her brother Bena and Okwu. Bena has a deep-seated hatred for the Khoush, and Okwu has the same feelings for humans. Both are acting out of ignorance and fear.

“Their ship stank. I was sure of it, even if I couldn’t smell it.” (Chapter 15)

– Binti

Analysis: Binti’s immediate reaction to the strange Meduse ship echoes the way in which the Khoush women treated her at the beginning of her journey. They comment about her otjize and act as though she smells bad.

The Meduse ship is precious to the Meduse just as Binti’s otjize is to her. For Binti, losing her biases about the Meduse will be a part of her emotional journey and growth.

“You understand, because you truly are what you say you are—a harmonizer.” (Chapter 18)

– Okwu

Analysis: Binti’s ability to understand the Meduse comes from reaching out with her own energy to connect to the edan. This act requires vulnerability because she takes a risk when she uses her own energy. This vulnerability allows her to overcome the obstacles between herself and the Meduse and establish a true connection with them.

“‘Tribal’:… what they called humans from ethnic groups too… ‘uncivilized’ to… send… to… Oomza Uni.” (Chapter 24)

– Binti

Analysis: Binti encounters prejudice even at Oomza Uni, a school renowned for accepting students from across the universe. In fact, the university’s racist attitude toward Binti is part of a long history of imperialistic attitudes, evident in the cultural appropriation of the Meduse chief’s stinger that puts the universe on the brink of war.