MAGICAL REALISM OF PAPA LEGBA IN IBI ZOBOI’S AMERICAN STREET

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on magical realism elements, which portrayed in American Street by
Ibi Zoboi. The purpose of this study is to discover the elements of magical realism by Maggie
Ann Bowers to explain the magical event supported by the characters. This study concern on
magical realism of voodoo, which reveal about the supernatural element of Papa Legba.
This study conducted by applying a qualitative research designs since the data is in the
form of words. Regarding on the elements in this study, which is narrative designs,
accordingly, it is consider using descriptive qualitative methods. The data of this study is
magical realism of voodoo in American Street. The data collected by using reading
comprehension and identify the source of data then categorize it.
The result of this study is both magic and real world combine as one plots. The magical
elements in the source of data provides Bad Leg who is then transform into Papa Legba, the
lwa of voodoo belief. The transgressive elements proposed by Bowers portrayed on how
Fabiola accept and understand the magical events happens through her life.

Keywords: magical realism, postmodern, voodoo