Symbolism

There is a lot of meaning and depth to the story of the things happening around the different villages Ishmael passes through. But there is one thing that Ishmael keeps with him and has even saved his life a few times. I'm talking about his cassettes filled with foreign rap music. The author tells us that it's not just tapes to listen to, it's also a life-saver, and it reminds the protagonist of the times when there was no war and just performing rap dances with his fellow associates back at his home village. So the cassettes have a great amount of meaning to the protagonist. It has been with him since he has left his friends and family.