Detroit, MI – In his debut novel “Libaax,” Rwandan author Cedric Muhikira tells the immigrant coming-of-age story of Ayaan, a Somali newcomer in Detroit, as he rebuilds his life through music, friendship and resilience.
“Libaax: Grow Your Roots Where You Land” follows Ayaan, a Somali immigrant who arrives in Detroit just before the world shuts down in 2020. With only a suitcase of memories and a deep yearning for a better life, Ayaan confronts the cultural dissonance, loneliness and economic hardships of resettlement. From the fluorescent blur of dishwashing shifts to the jarring silence of a foreign city, Ayaan must navigate a world that doesn’t quite know what to make of him. But he’s not alone, as his hard-edged yet loyal roommate Ahmed, with a pirate’s past, and Maria, a grounded law student from Honduras, slowly become his anchors.
The book has received exceptional reviews calling it a “powerful reminder that roots can grow anywhere” and that it does more than tell a story, “it carries a heartbeat.”
What begins as a survival story evolves into one of transformation. Ayaan discovers a surprising talent for DJing, blending the melancholic notes of Somali qaraami with Detroit’s pulsing techno. Through music, friendship and fleeting romance, he slowly rewrites his identity, not as someone who left something behind, but as someone who is still becoming. “Libaax” is both an immigrant coming-of-age novel and a meditation on resilience, identity and how we build homes where we least expect them. It’s about the grit to keep growing, even when the soil feels foreign.
You can purchase your copy on Amazon.
About Cedric Muhikira:
Cedric Muhikira is a self-taught writer and storyteller with roots in migration, cultural fusion, and identity. Raised on stories that bridged continents and generations, Cedric has long been fascinated by the in-between spaces of belonging. He immigrated to the United States from Rwanda in 2019, and now lives in Detroit. His debut novel, “Libaax,” draws deeply from his personal experiences and the shared lives of immigrants navigating new beginnings. Cedric’s work explores how music, memory, and resilience help us grow roots wherever we land.
You can find Cedric Muhikira:
Website: https://cedricmuhikira.com/
Facebook: Cedric Muhikira
Instagram: @iam_thecaptain_now
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