Epistemic justice, plurality of ontology in Sidi’s ‘The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus’
By Namse Udosen
THOUGH appearing straightforward, this book presents a rich field of epistemological inquiry. As an educational theorist, I intend to delve beneath its surface and reveal the varied knowledge systems. The book’s opening gives an insight into its revolutionary approach to storytelling in contemporary literature and counters what Western-laden history has passed on to much of the world through colonisation. The book or, more precisely, the written word has always been projected as the ultimate source of knowledge. The introductory page of Umar Abubakar Sidi’s The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus (Masobe Books, Lagos; 2024) establishes the tone by stating that the book is not written in what many Western literature commentators have described as an ideal writing space. This opening throws open the door for imagining new ways of knowing and existing within a diverse world.
“Has information set sail the vessels of your mind into the sea of doubt?” This line from the last paragraph of the introductory page provides a centre for the ontological and epistemological direction of the book. The secret of the alphabet and how it shapes the production of information begins from the mind, not the page. It’s a subtle reminder that what is written or not written begins as a thought and thoughts are shaped by culture and environment. This is an important starting point for understanding epistemic justice.
The narrative of The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus is a compelling backdrop for examining the intricate relationship between epistemic justice and the plurality of ontology. This text not only captivates its audience with fantastical elements but delves deep into how knowledge, identity, and existence intersect within varying cultural perspectives.
Epistemic justice, a term coined by Miranda Fricker, refers to the fair distribution of epistemic resources such as knowledge, understanding, and credibility. It emphasises the importance of valuing diverse voices in creating and disseminating knowledge. In The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus, the protagonist navigates a world where multiple forms of knowledge are explored, such as A-Jazjani and the Magnus Opus, The Japanese Kabuki, the Astronomical speculations of early Mayans, Babylonian agrarian techniques, African Shamans and wash us away from previous literature that is an evangelisation of western ontologies. The tale (if we can call it that) profoundly resonates with Fricker’s notion of testimonial injustice, where some individuals’ credibility is undervalued due to biases surrounding their social identity. Garba’s dreams or imaginations reveal instances where marginalised voices clash with mainstream narratives, like the school of philosophy where the Caliph taught arguments and logic to monkey cadets, allowing readers to reflect on the implications of these dynamics in real-world contexts.
The story further explores the plurality of ontology, an acknowledgement that multiple interpretations of existence coexist. The protagonist, a fugitive from knowledge thieves, spins several narratives woven from various cultural mythologies, beliefs, and ontological perspectives. This plurality is essential for fostering a more inclusive understanding of the world, emphasising that no single worldview holds a monopoly on truth. Sidi guides us through the secrets of the alphabet and other mysterious matters related to the arrangement of letters in constructing words and sentences. This multifaceted representation of reality engenders a space for dialogues across cultures, challenging readers to expand their epistemic horizons. A recurring theme reinforces the call to confront our biases and preconceived notions throughout the book: the existence of the alphabet before any being. The significance of the alphabet is seen not from a linguistic perspective as we were taught in primary school but from a position of epistemology and knowledge creation. From these perspectives it implies that the word was available to all human societies, and each society has woven these words into knowledges that suited their situation. This calls for a recognition of the richness of diverse ontological perspectives in different contexts.
The interplay between epistemic justice and ontological plurality in The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus by Sidi challenges readers to rethink what constitutes valid knowledge. Through Garba Dakasus’s intellectual ramblings, the novel raises urgent questions: Who gets to tell their story? Whose experiences and worldviews are deemed worthy of literary and philosophical consideration? In doing so, Sidi destabilises established power dynamics in storytelling and knowledge production, urging us to move beyond dominant Western epistemologies. For centuries, literary traditions have been shaped by the intellectual frameworks of Shakespeare, Aristotle, Homer, and their contemporaries, figures whose influence defines much of what is considered “serious” literature and thought. Yet, Sidi’s narrative takes an entirely different route. He transports us beyond the borders of Europe, drawing from Africa’s oral traditions, Asia’s philosophical depths, and the spiritual landscapes of South America’s forests. Where Western literary traditions might dismiss such knowledge as mystical or arcane, Sidi presents them as alternative ways of knowing, expanding our intellectual horizons. Through this journey, the novel not only amplifies marginalized voices but also questions the very foundations upon which knowledge and literature are built.
Sidi populates The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus with a cast of strikingly eccentric characters, each amplifying the book’s exploration of unconventional knowledge and challenging norms. This intentional diversity goes beyond simple representation; it serves as an essential tool for challenging established narrative expectations. We meet a character of complex contradictions: a just caliph struggling with the taboo of incest. This figure compels us to confront the fundamental conflicts between power and morality. Then there’s Tapan, the righteous red monkey, a figure of unwavering devotion, whose guardianship of the book suggests a reverence for knowledge that transcends human comprehension. And finally, the wise parrot, who rises to become the caliph’s advisor, embodies the potential for wisdom to emerge from unexpected sources. These characters, in their strangeness and complexity, serve to disrupt conventional archetypes and invite us to consider the fluid and multifaceted nature of truth and authority.
The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus is a mesmerizing fusion of poetry and philosophy, where Sidi’s lyrical prose transforms abstract concepts – epistemic justice and ontological plurality – into a rich, immersive narrative. His language, steeped in rhythm and imagery, carries the reader through Garba’s dreamscapes, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. With a poetic sensibility that evokes both mysticism and intellectual depth, Sidi crafts a world where knowledge, existence, and identity intertwine in dazzling complexity. Each sentence resonates like a verse, inviting reflection and wonder, making the novel not just a story, but an experience of profound aesthetic and philosophical inquiry.
This narrative not only entertains but also educates, urging us toward a more inclusive approach in both our understanding of each other and our shared journey through knowledge. It reminds us that epistemic justice is not merely an ideal but a necessity for a harmonious coexistence in an ever-diversifying world.
* Udosen, an educational theorist and author, transits between Abuja and Kaduna
