Skip to main content

LIBERATION OF A SOCIETY DEPENDS ON THE COLLECTIVE MAJORITY

WHEN THE MADNESS OF AN ENTIRE NATION DISTURBS A SOLITARY MIND, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAY THAT THE MAN IS MAD. DISCUSS THIS IN LINE WITH IMBUGA’S BETRAYAL IN THE CITY
These words were said by JERE towards the end of Act Two in reference to incoherent jibber jabber of MOSESE in his sleep. JERE had watched the intellect MOSESE process his great expectations for Kafira only to see him, in utter amazement, utter words that did not make sense in his sleep.
MOSESE in his dream portends another character away from the real character when active. He espouses a fearful man who is ready to lick BOSS’ shoes to get a lucrative government job like his friend NICODEMO. He relishes the luxury of betrayal and instant fame.
We cannot refute the claim that, however, committed an individual is in fighting for the common good, there is always that small voice that tells him/her to relent and accept instant fame in the name of bootlicking. MOSESE’s other side, brought in the dream showcases this other side.
In his dream, he accepts honour and applause from the crowd. Of course, there will be people present to cheer one in the act of betrayal. Some will be genuine but the others will be interested in seeing your demeanour.
In many occasions, the oppressed take on spectator stage as the brave ones duel with those in authority. Where are the people of Kafira when MOSESE is jailed? Where are they when DOGA and NINA are beheaded? There take sideline stands while a few walks the talk and rebuke BOSS’ authoritarian leadership.
They bestow there need for liberty to the minority. They watch in fear, condemn in their houses while brutality is dispensed as an immunization drug. They watch heads bowed as people like JERE are jailed.
It is sad to observe that instead of the majority waking up against authority, few people do and they are tried with their conscience as they come to terms with the reality of the situation-that a mad society does not carry its madness, it leaves its madness strewn around only to be picked up by few.  

JERE’s words echo the tribulations civil rights groups face in trying to take on a responsibility that need to be shared by all and sundry. It proclaims the voice of those who fight in the face of an ignorant society. He cautions the society to take on its role in fighting inhumanity meted by those in authority and not to mire the few who end up locked in prison and their minds shattered into splinters of madness like MOSESE. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF NASILIAN CULTURE IN BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH

SOME ASPECTS OF CULTURE ARE BENEFICIAL AND OUGHT TO BE MAINTAINED. USING EXAMPLES FROM THE NOVEL, BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH, WRITE A COMPOSITION TO ILLUSTRATE THE TRUTH OF THE STATEMENT Culture defines our identity and social relationships within a certain setup. Sometimes, some cultural aspects come off as bad while others can be looked at as good. However, culture only becomes bad when compared to another that seems superior. Many African communities found themselves at crossroads when the ‘superior’ European culture was thrown down their gullets. Nevertheless, many African cultures have grown into what they are today while some have retained what can be perceived as negative cultural practices. In the book Blossoms of the Savannah, H.R Kulet presents a boiling pot of cultural confusion within the Maa community specifically the people of Nasila. As we can see, some of the Nasilian cultural practices can be beneficial to the wellbeing of society and, therefore, should be maintaine
22 comments
Read more

NEGATIVE CULTURAL PRACTICES AMONG THE PEOPLE OF NASILA IN BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH

The book Blossoms of the Savannah explores both the positive and negative cultural practices. H. R Kulet describes intimately those cultural practices he believes are best and on the other hand, lets us in on some of the cultural practices he believe were injurious. Interestingly, the negative cultural practices are aimed at women. The most poignant cultural practice that negatively affects women is Female genital mutilation. Although according to Parmuat, the practice was started by women to resist the evil Ilarinkoi, it continued to cause wanton pain and torture on women. Taiyo and Resian are determined to fight it. Resian manages to evade the brutal practice however Taiyo barely makes it having been forcibly cut. FGM is a global menace affecting millions of women in Africa and Asia. Although its benefits are only anthropological, its effects are very damning and could lead to death.  Second among the negative Nasilian culture is early marriage. Resian still has goals to fu
34 comments
Read more

THE THEME OF INHERITANCE IN THE PLAY INHERITANCE BY DAVID MULWA

Inheritance refers to what is left by the deceased to the family in material wealth or sometimes power. However, the word could have diverse meanings when applied to works of literature. In this respect, David Mulwa looks at inheritance in various ways. The play revolves around a three decades old Kutula under its new leadership. Having achieved independence from colonial masters, Kutula is now governed by Lacuna Kasoo-the son of pre-independence King Kutula XV. Lacuna ascended to power after the death of his father. Although the King has adopted Princess Sangoi as his successor, he dies mysteriously thus handing the power to the greedy, self-centred Lacuna. As it were, Lacuna conspired with the colonial masters to assassinate his father King Kutula XV. Having assumed power with the help of colonial masters, Lacuna runs the government under the influence of Kutula’s former imperialists. He receives hefty loans aimed at ‘developing’ the country. However, the loans are meant to make Kutu
5 comments
Read more