Under The Mango Tree
A Journey Across Continents
and Generations
Under The Mango Tree opens in March 1953, on the banks of the Zambezi River in Portuguese Mozambique. As a mother named Zebee goes into labour, men gather under the shade of a mango tree — a place that becomes a recurring image of shelter, community, and reflection throughout the story. This birth marks the beginning of Salman’s journey, the child whose life the memoir follows.
Life in Mozambique and Nyasaland
The early chapters bring to life the rhythm of village and market life in Mozambique, where family, faith, and trade sustain a tight-knit community.
Through vivid portraits of relatives, shopkeepers, elders, and neighbours, we see how Gujarati Muslim families carved out a place in Africa, navigating colonial hierarchies that placed them between European settlers and the African majority.
As political winds shift, the story moves to Nyasaland (modern Malawi). Here, Soli Osman details both the opportunities and challenges faced by the Asian diaspora, as new national identities are formed and independence looms. Families who had built their lives in Africa suddenly face the uncertainties of “Africanisation,” expulsion, and the loss of homes and businesses.
The Mother at the Heart of the Story
At the centre of the narrative is Zebee- strong, determined
and unyielding in her commitment to her son's future. She embodies the values of courage, sacrifice, and moral clarity. Through her, the memoir becomes a universal story about motherhood, resilience, and the quiet strength that shapes generations.
Migration to Britain
The book then traces the path to Britain, where Salman (and by extension, Soli Osman himself) pursues education and a new life.
Britain in the 1960s and 70s is a place of contrasts: opportunity through study, but also discrimination, economic struggle, and the tightening grip of immigration laws that privilege some while excluding others.
Here, we encounter powerful scenes of survival — cold winters in cramped lodgings, casual labour to make ends meet, and the daily battle with bureaucracy. The memoir does not shy away from racism and hostility, but it also captures solidarity, friendship, and the determination of a young man to forge a future.
Themes That Resonate Today
The mango tree, which appears throughout the book, becomes a symbol of resilience
a reminder of home, of continuity, and of the strength found in roots, even when life forces you to move. Under The Mango Tree is more than a personal story. It is a portrait of a community that crossed continents, a reflection on colonial and post-colonial history, and an exploration of identity that continues to resonate for readers today.
Why Readers Will Be Captivated
A vivid family saga set against the backdrop of empire, independence, and migration.
Unforgettable characters, from the formidable Zebee to neighbours, friends, and community elders.
A universal theme: the search for belonging in a world that shifts beneath one’s feet.
An authentic voice, written with warmth, detail, and compassion.
