Books The House of Rust by Khadija Abdalla Bajaber (Author)

"The House of Rust" by Khadija Abdalla Bajaber is a richly imaginative novel rooted in Swahili and Hadrami culture, set in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya. The story follows Aisha, a young girl of traditional Hadrami descent, whose father, a fisherman, goes missing at sea. Driven by her love for her family and a desire to rescue her father, Aisha embarks on a mystical journey across the sea on a boat made of bones, guided by a talking scholar's cat named Hamza. Her voyage is filled with encounters with mythical sea monsters, supernatural beings rooted in Muslim traditions and folk tales, and allegorical figures from her imagination.​

The narrative weaves together elements of magical realism, adventure, and coming-of-age themes. Aisha’s journey is not only a physical quest but also a mystical evolution as she confronts her fears, expectations, and the societal roles imposed on her as a woman. The novel explores themes of courage, identity, and independence, emphasizing her growth as she navigates the ocean of her cultural and personal heritage. Bajaber’s prose is lyrical and evocative, blending legend with contemporary storytelling, making it a modern legend that celebrates cultural roots and personal resilience.​