The River Between

A young man of the Gikuyu tribe named Waiyaki is the focal point in Thiong’o’s novel. At an early age, Waiyaki was already considered to have special gifts. He once encountered two boys fighting and attempted to break up the squabble. Although he was the youngest of the three, he was able to put a stop to the violence. Ngugi reveals that the three boys, Waiyaki, Kamau and Kinuthia, are all destined to study at a local mission school nearby and, from there, to become teachers.

Waiyaki is eventually enrolled at the school at the behest of his father, Chege. Chege explains to young Waiyaki the legend of a savior who would be born into their village and accomplish great things for his people. Chege believes that his son is that savior. Although Waiyaki is skeptical of such a fantastical prophesy, he excels in the school and is well on his way to playing a vital role in the development of his people.

The significance of Chege’s eagerness to send his son to the mission school rests on the fact that the boy would be in a position to learn the wisdom of the colonists and that such knowledge would equip Waiyaki for the struggle against the colonial government. Despite the liberating potential of this knowledge, Waiyaki must ensure he does not embrace the colonial system, as doing so would defeat the purpose of his training.

The colonizing forces are represented by Christian missionaries, who advocate against the Gikuyu tribal practise of female circumcision. An example of a man converted to Christianity is Joshua, who has two daughters, Nyambura, who is in love with Waiyaki, and Muthoni. Nyambura has converted to Christianity and Muthoni, who has rebels against her father and undergoes the circumcision procedure, and tragically dies from a complication.

It’s very challenging to read novels like this, which on their surface are simple narratives that encode complex belief systems and cultural practises. While I am sensitive to cultural practises, I stop short of being okay with disfiguring the body and I am pleased to learn that female genital mutilation, as it is better known, is now illegal in Kenya.