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Freedom Braids

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Book Synopsis

Day after day, Nemy is forced to sow seeds in the sugarcane plantation, until one night, she follows a woman called Big Mother to a hidden shack. There, she finds a group of women braiding each other’s hair. But these are no ordinary braids. Hidden in each elaborate pattern is a secret – a message that signals their intent to flee and a map to guide them in their escape. Will the paths these courageous women weave guide Nemy to a new home where she can be free?

A picture book of love, liberation and legacy inspired by the true story of enslaved African women in Colombia braiding maps to freedom.

Our Review Panel says...

Freedom Braids is a poignant, beautiful story about slaves finding an ingenious way to escape their captors.

Nemy is a little girl who is a slave on a Columbian plantation. Every day is the same – she sows seeds, pulls up weeds and strips leaves. One night she follows a woman everyone calls ‘Big Mother’ to a shack where women are gathered. They are braiding each other’s hair but these braids are extraordinary braids. Some hold seeds, some hide gold and some map out escape routes to help these slaves leave their captors to set up their own villages and communities.

I love how this book is based on the hope, strength and determination of the enslaved African women (and men). Their story deserves to be told again and again, and this book helps to do that. The next time I braid my daughters’ hair I will think about these enslaved women who were bold and brave enough to escape.