Title: Tali Nohkati: The Great Crossing
Author: Koza Belleli
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
ISBN: 978-1684332588
Pages: 143
Genre: Native American Literature / Folklore
Reviewer: Liz Konkel
Hollywood Book Reviews
From his birth, the Moon and Coyote knew Tali Nohkati would be special. After surviving a raging fire, the creators of the world watch over him as he ventures from the White Land on an epic journey to reach the Land of the Red Earth. Along the way, he encounters a variety of animals who teach him valuable insights and lessons about life, until he finally finds a tribe to welcome him.
From a daring rescue to finding refuge near where an alligator dwells, Tali Nohkati’s adventures are epic and allow him to understand the role animals play in the circle of life. Once he reaches the island of Cagama, he feels prepared to experience true happiness and create a family of his own among the tribe there. But when Huracan grows closer to wreaking havoc, this could threaten the peace he has found.
The structure Tali Nohkati: The Great Crossing by author Koza Belleli is that of a folktale, with the beginning introducing the moon alone in the sky and the creators of the world. This gives you the personification of the characters and lets you see how they view the first humans they encounter. The perspective choice shows the importance of Tali Nohkati and sets him up as the “hero” of the story. From there, the perspective takes an interesting shift watching over him on his journey to a new land. Author Koza Belleli captures the essence of a legend and uses this style to incorporate different animal interactions throughout his part one journey. The characters are fitted against the world where everything is personified, and the animals can talk, each possessing a lesson, moral, or insight for Tali Nohkati. The first of these sets the tone, which is the she-bear Yupik, and through her, our hero learns important lessons of survival, such as eating and fending off an attack.
Each animal is a reflection of a journey that is rooted in survival, discovery, and change. Exploring this world is an otherworldly quality that is used to capture the beauty and danger of life and nature, and how the two are interconnected. Through Tali Nohkati, you see this natural world and the hardships that lie within, such as a bear cub being attacked, seeking shelter from a storm, and an injured bison. Belleli genuinely captures the life and emotion of these animals, giving each one a unique personality, such as the snake Zia Zia, who wishes to be remembered as more than his bite. The keen insight provided is derived from the concept of a circle of life, with the bison teaching how his meat and hide can be utilized and offering valuable revelations about who Tali Nahkati is as a person. The moral center of the story feels like a fable comes to life with a modern update, showcasing the beauty of Native American storytelling, which is perfectly captured.
The book is divided into various parts, ranging from wise animal lessons to finding harmony with a loving tribe, to preparing for the wrath of Huracan. The encounters of part one prepared him to accept change and understand life, while the following parts take him from a boy to a man. The story comes full circle with a satisfying ending as he grows from a boy learning about the world to a man finding purpose and family for himself. Though these parts focus on his relationship with other humans, the structure and writing style remain that of a folktale. You never know what to expect, in the best way, as anything is possible on Tali Nohkati’s journey, as everything awaiting around the corner is there to help him evolve.
A journey of self-discovery, Tali Nohkati: The Great Crossing is about a boy who learns the purpose of animals, becomes a man, starts a family, and discovers the harmony of all living things within nature and the tribe.