Abeeku Badu Character Analysis in Homegoing

At the beginning of the novel, Abeeku is the next in line as chief of the Fante village where Effia, Cobbe, Baaba, and Fiifi live. Abeeku is a great warrior. Initially he hopes to marry Effia, but Baaba maliciously convinces him that Effia cannot have children. Abeeku also begins a war between the Fantes and the Asantes when he trades several Asante slaves, including Esi.

Abeeku Badu Character Timeline in Homegoing

The timeline below shows where the character Abeeku Badu appears in Homegoing. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Effia hopes that she will be married to Abeeku Badu, who is next in line to be the village chief. He had visited their... (full context)

Gender Stereotypes, Sexism, and Violence Theme Icon

Abeeku brings a goat for Effia, while his servants bring yams and fish and palm wine.... (full context)

Racism, Slavery, and Systemic Oppression Theme Icon

When the dinner begins, Effia asks if Abeeku will work for the British. Her parents glare at her for speaking out of turn,... (full context)

Abeeku finishes eating and tells Baaba to let him know when Effia is “ready.” That night,... (full context)

The next spring, the chief of the village grows ill, and Abeeku marries two women as he prepares to become chief. One of them, named Millicent, is... (full context)

The following week, the old chief dies and Abeeku is crowned the next chief. Three days later, he gathers up the men of the... (full context)

...ask Baaba what is happening with Effia, as he had hoped that she would be Abeeku’s wife by now. Baaba replies that she is not ready. Cobbe sends Baaba and Effia... (full context)

On one such visit to Abeeku’s compound, Baaba and Effia are there at the same time as British soldiers. When the... (full context)

...hello to each woman in bad Fante. When he reaches Effia, she giggles. He asks Abeeku if Effia is his wife; Abeeku tells him she is not. James looks at her... (full context)

...to ask Baaba for Effia’s hand. Cobbe is outraged because he wants her to marry Abeeku, but Baaba convinces him that Effia should marry James because Effia might not have children,... (full context)

Cobbe tells Baaba that they must make Abeeku think that it is his own idea for Effia to marry James Collins. To do... (full context)

Abeeku calls Effia into the room, and tells Baaba and Cobbe that they are right—Effia should... (full context)

In the morning, men enter the room, including Abeeku and Fiifi. Fiifi argues that they should not have taken the slaves, as their Asante... (full context)

...British soldiers enter the compound. They are the first white men that Esi has seen. Abeeku shows off Esi and the others, explaining that the Asante are very strong. The men... (full context)

...had been sent to the village because the British had enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Abeeku and wanted to set up an outpost there to ensure their good relationship continued, as... (full context)

Quey sees Abeeku Badu in the village, already drunk. Abeeku tells Quey that he should tell Effia to... (full context)

...chosen a wife for James to marry. Her name is Amma Atta, the daughter of Abeeku Badu’s successor. This marriage would fulfill the promise that Cobbe had made to Effia; that... (full context)