Virginia Lee Barnes

Virginia Lee Barnes , an anthropologist with a Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii, initially compiled Aman's story.

Following Barnes' death in 1989, Janice Boddy, a distinguished professor of anthropology at the University of Toronto, completed the manuscript.

Boddy added an introduction to contextualize Aman's narrative within its historical and social framework.

This collaboration between two anthropologists ensured that Aman's personal account was presented with academic rigor and cultural understanding, providing readers with a comprehensive view of Somali life and customs.