The Voices of Adamo is a thought-provoking tale of man's fall from Grace that incorporates two journeys that Adamo must take. The first journey consists of Adamo being sent away from his village in the time of sickness and then his return to the village after one year's time. Adamo's second journey begins when Adamo leaves the village for a second time in search for the voices of his ancestors and family. Both of these journeys can be examined through their nature and function, and those can be examined through diction and imagery that relate to the nature and function of that journey. By comparing the nature and function of the two journeys the reader can learn more about Adamo and what he had to go through to complete his journeys.
Before the nature of Adamo's journeys is compared, it is important to understand the details of both journeys. The first journey begins when Adamo's village is struck with a contagious disease and Adamo's mother pleads with him to leave. Adamo finally travels to a nearby village when his father says that it would be a good idea. Adamo is welcomed into the village but becomes increasingly anxious about returning home. After a year has passed, Adamo hears the voice of his mother calling him, which convinces him to return home. When he arrives at his village, it is disserted save for an old woman who tells Adamo that his family has died from the sickness. Devastated, Adamo runs to his father's tent and lies down, determined to die. The second journey begins three days later when Adamo awakens to the smell of food. He eats the food, speaks more to the old woman and leaves the village in search for the voices of his ancestors. After a very long walk through the forest, he reaches a town and is interested in the drums carried by some of the soldiers in the town. He is invited to stay in the army and learn to play the drums by Captain Fossey. After his service, the evil Captain suggests that he join a highlife band and, for many reasons, Adamo kills the Captain.