The River Between is a novel written in 1965 by Ngugi Wa Thiong’o. Ngugi focuses on the conflicts between the European-Christian ideals and the Kikuyu people’s traditions and the effects it has on the two tribes, Makuyu and Kameno. One group embraces Christianity and the other is fearful of it. The story focuses on a young man named Waiyaki, son to Chege. Chege is the leader of the Kameno and also serves as a seer. Chege believes that Waiyaki is destined for a great purpose, being the savior of the Gikuyu people and their traditions which are being threatened by colonization. While he is a man who holds fast to the old traditions of his tribe he adopts some of the white man’s teachings and places it upon himself to introduce it to tribes in
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Chege, his father, informs Waiyaki of his role in the prophecy. This prophecy in question states that: “Salvation shall come from the hills… A son shall rise. And his duty shall be to lead and save the people.” (Ngugi, 20) Waiyaki is identified as the man who shall restore the tribe to its pre-colonial cultural state. Chege has watched many Africans be converted and reject their traditions so he wishes to fix this problem. During school is appears that Waiyaki is absorbing some of the European values and slowly rejecting his own traditional values, the thought of fulfilling the prophecy is drifting away from him. Waiyaki does go through the rite of passage that is circumcision surprise to his peers. Later it is stated by Waiyaki that he does not like to be identified with either side, each having their own negative qualities. There is a moment in the book where Kinuthia approaches Waiyaki about a rumor he’s heard about Waiyaki. There has been a rumor started in which people are hypothesizing that Waiyaki is one of Joshua’s followers. Claims have been made that he’s been seen in the church many times and has been formulating plans to sell the people to the white man. (Ngugi, 111) Of course Waiyaki laughs it off, however to Kinuthia this is a serious matter. The conversation deepens and Kinuthia brings up the relationship between Waiyaki and Joshua’s daughter, Nyambura. The connection between the two of them causes concern. Waiyaki’s mission faces a …show more content…
“[Joshua] knew it was his duty to as a Christian to obey the government, giving unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” (N’gugi, 32) Joshua presents it as his duty to serve the Europeans with little knowledge that he himself is being used. The Europeans have had a hand in the land of Kenya for some time. Since 1885 when East Africa was divided into territories based on influence of the European powers. Natives weren’t allowed a voice in the government that ruled over them. The Europeans did not want it to seem as if they were taking over the country so they manipulated the situation and made it seem as if the Africans were benefitting from their stay. (British in Kenya, WSU) 1942, members of the Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Kamba tribes united in the fight for freedom against European rule. From October of 1952 to December 1959, Kenya was put under a state emergency due to the Mau Mau uprising. (Embassy of Kenya in
Chege, his father, informs Waiyaki of his role in the prophecy. This prophecy in question states that: “Salvation shall come from the hills… A son shall rise. And his duty shall be to lead and save the people.” (Ngugi, 20) Waiyaki is identified as the man who shall restore the tribe to its pre-colonial cultural state. Chege has watched many Africans be converted and reject their traditions so he wishes to fix this problem. During school is appears that Waiyaki is absorbing some of the European values and slowly rejecting his own traditional values, the thought of fulfilling the prophecy is drifting away from him. Waiyaki does go through the rite of passage that is circumcision surprise to his peers. Later it is stated by Waiyaki that he does not like to be identified with either side, each having their own negative qualities. There is a moment in the book where Kinuthia approaches Waiyaki about a rumor he’s heard about Waiyaki. There has been a rumor started in which people are hypothesizing that Waiyaki is one of Joshua’s followers. Claims have been made that he’s been seen in the church many times and has been formulating plans to sell the people to the white man. (Ngugi, 111) Of course Waiyaki laughs it off, however to Kinuthia this is a serious matter. The conversation deepens and Kinuthia brings up the relationship between Waiyaki and Joshua’s daughter, Nyambura. The connection between the two of them causes concern. Waiyaki’s mission faces a …show more content…
“[Joshua] knew it was his duty to as a Christian to obey the government, giving unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” (N’gugi, 32) Joshua presents it as his duty to serve the Europeans with little knowledge that he himself is being used. The Europeans have had a hand in the land of Kenya for some time. Since 1885 when East Africa was divided into territories based on influence of the European powers. Natives weren’t allowed a voice in the government that ruled over them. The Europeans did not want it to seem as if they were taking over the country so they manipulated the situation and made it seem as if the Africans were benefitting from their stay. (British in Kenya, WSU) 1942, members of the Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Kamba tribes united in the fight for freedom against European rule. From October of 1952 to December 1959, Kenya was put under a state emergency due to the Mau Mau uprising. (Embassy of Kenya in