The River Between - Conflict & Reconcilation Flashcards
(39 cards)
Tradition vs Colonialism
The tribe wants to get rid of the whites for having a different set of beliefs and a different knowledge system from them.
“Mugo often said you could not cut the butterflies with a panga.
You could not spear them until you have learn their ways and movement.”
Tradition vs Colonialism
This quote was said by Muthoni. Muthoni represents the tradition and the rituals and customs of the tribe. Joshua represents the imperialism and the “white man’s wisdom”. Muthoni wants to be circumcised, which is a ritual compulsory by tradition. However, Joshua does not approve of it because he is a follower of the new knowledge in which circumcision is a sin.
I want to be a woman. I want to be a real girl, a real woman, knowing all the ways of the hills and the ridges. (page 26)
Joshua believed circumcision to be so sinful that… marrying a woman who had been circumcised. (page 31)
Tradition vs Colonialism
The Christians want to introduce a completely new concept to the tribe, which is education but the tribe is unwilling to accept this change. This is a measure taken by the Christians to try and overthrow the tribe
The people remained conservative, loyal to the ways of the land.
(page 28)
Tradition vs Colonialism
This quote reiterates the conflict between Joshua and Muthoni, each being a representation of imperialism and tradition respectively. Joshua was a staunch Christian who blindly followed the new knowledge but Muthoni stuck to the old beliefs of the tribe and thus, Joshua did not want to be associated with someone who was against his beliefs and wisdom in Christianity.
If she does not, then tell her that she ceases to be my daughter.
(page 36)
Christians have a very different set of beliefs from the tribe. The Christians want to spread the western influence to try and abolish the cultural traditions of the tribe. However, the tribe wants to retain all the culture. The tribe views Christians as breakaway elements. Christians think that the tribe is deceived by the devil.
These Christians, they will never come to any good.
page 48
Tradition vs Colonialism
Muthoni’s internal conflict between which religion to follow can be viewed as a symbol of the two opposing parties. Muthoni struggles to choose between the tribe and her loyalty to Joshua. This decision troubles her very much and eventually leads to her death. Muthoni’s death foreshadows that traditional beliefs and imperialism can never join and if they do, it will end badly.
I am still a Christian, see, a Christian in the tribe.
(page 53)
Tradition vs Colonialism
The already existing conflict between the tribe and the Christians is worsened after Muthoni’s death. This event made the Christians view the tribes as a bigger threat and thus had greater motivation to eliminate them. However, even though this event of such significance took place, the tribe still wants to continue following their rituals.
The death of Muthoni for ever confirmed the barbarity of Gikuyu customs.
(Page 55)
Tradition vs Colonialism
The Christians see the tribals as a threat while the tribals see the Christian as a threat. Due to this mindset, they both want to get rid of each other. However, they will never end up seeing eye to eye.
This new faith had contaminated the hills. (page 58)
Tradition vs Colonialism
Kabonyi represents the more traditional mindset of the tribe while Waiyaki is more influenced by the Christians. Kabonyi hated to see Waiyaki so successful because he thought that he had contributed a lot more to the tribe than Waiyaki did and thus he felt that he should be the rightful leader of the tribe instead of Waiyaki
Kabonyi made sure he opposed Waiyaki’s suggestions on every possible occasion. (page 81)
Tradition vs Colonialism
Waiyaki was also a symbol of joining the advantages of both the traditional system as well as the western upbringing. However, there was so much fire and anger between the two parties that no one was willing to listen and support this idea. The prejudice of the elders of the tribe eventually leads to the downfall of the tribe.
Waiyaki himself was more interested in teaching and handling the children than in the organisation and management of Kiama. (page 91)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
This is the start of Waiyaki’s inner conflict. He is already dispirited before officially joining the tribe. The “gnaw[ing] at his soul” could refer to his sense of emptiness. Joining the tribe did not give him the satisfaction he thought it would. This foreshadows his struggles of being the leader of the tribe later in the book.
Waiyaki wanted to be happy very happy.
But he felt dejected. Something he could not define seemed to gnaw at his soul, first crept through the flesh
page 11
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Waiyaki is mentally and physically not ready to take up the role as leader of the tribe. He is forced to take up this role as he was prophesied to be the saviour of the tribe and he came from a lineage of leaders. He conforms to his father’s desires and did not express his feelings of worry to his father. This is one of the reasons which led to his stress over the tribe and his downfall.
Arise. Heed the prophecy.
Instead he felt a heaviness making him a man. In body, he was still a boy.
page 21
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Religious conflict between Nyambura and Joshua occurs due to their clash in beliefs. Nyambura wanted to embrace the culture of the tribe, but Joshua’s strict Christian beliefs condones all the ways and practices of the tribe. Circumcision which was essential to the tribe’s heritage, was considered as a sin to Joshua. Muthoni does not conform to Joshua’s religious beliefs and opposed him, which led to her downfall. Hence, from this experience we can see that conforming to societal values is the only way to survive, and standing up for your opposing personal beliefs would just lead to downfall. This is also parallel to Waiyaki’s experience as a tribe leader.
I want to be a real girl, a real woman, knowing all the ways of the hills and the ridges.” (page 26)
Father has been teaching us what he has learnt in Siriana. And you know, the missionaries do not like the circumcision of girls. Father has been saying so. Besides Jesus told us it is wrong and sinful (page 25)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Waiyaki hated himself for having second doubts about the tribe. Waiyaki does not truly enjoy being in the tribe, as most of the time he feels out of place or unsatisfied. The word “endure” also suggests that being in the tribe was stressful and he was just patiently waiting to learn the secrets of the hill. His inner conflict is a result of his personal beliefs going against the values of the tribe people.
Immediately he hated himself for holding such sentiments. He was of the tribe. He had to endure its ways and be inside the secrets of the hills. (page 46)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Muthoni is a symbol of reconciliation. She died embracing both the tribe culture and Christianity. This suggests that there was hope for reconciliation between the tribals and Christians. If both parties were not so strict with their beliefs and compromised, like how Muthoni got circumcised and still believed in Christian values at the same time, reconciliation could be possible for them.
I see Jesus. And I am a woman, beautiful in the tribe. (page 53)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Waiyaki did not want leadership and wanted to focus more on education. Once again, it feels more like a forced role onto Waiyaki by the tribal people as he does not show much interest in having a place in the Kiama. He is conflicted as he wanted to pursue the white man’s education, which the tribal people disapproved of. Although Waiyaki loves education he had to give it up for the sake of the tribe. This is the first of his many sacrifices to tribe (other sacrifices would be his love for Nyambura and his freedom)
Waiyaki feared they would give him a place in the leadership of this Kiama, which was meant to embrace all the ridges. He did not feel enthusiastic about it. He wanted to concentrate on education. (page 65)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Waiyaki was not getting satisfaction from being in the tribe, as he thought he would before. “serve” suggests that Waiyaki made many sacrifices for the tribe and expected nothing in return. Although he wants freedom and love, he is unable to have it due to his loyalties to the tribe. As the tribe will never allow him to associate with or marry a Christian girl, Waiyaki is conflicted as he is unsure of which to sacrifice. We see Waiyaki dilemma as he contemplates if his own desires are more important than the desires of the tribe.
Waiyaki was made to serve the tribe, living day by day with no thoughts of self but always others.
Suddenly he knew what he wanted. Freedom.
His heart bled for her.
(page 73)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Waiyaki is unsatisfied being the leader of the tribe. “Slave” suggests that he works very hard for the tribe without any appreciation. Waiyaki is conflicted with himself. Although he always wanted to be the leader of the tribe since young, now he regrets it as he could not have any freedom. He was forced to act according to the tribe’s ways although he wanted to pursue his own goals. Waiyaki had to give up his interests and conform to the tribe’s ways as he is the leader and is supposed to be a role model for the people.
He resented this and wondered if he too was becoming a slave to the tribe. His activities were being watched by everyone. His freedom was being curbed. Yet was this not what he wanted? service! service! service! Always standing by the tribe like his father and the ancestors before him. (page 81)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Miriamu only “learnt and accepted” Christianity, suggesting that she did not believe wholeheartedly in it. For the sake of her husband, Joshua, she converted to Christianity although she truly believed in the ways of the Gikuyu. Muthoni conforms to Joshua’s beliefs and does not stand up for herself. There is a huge contrast between her and Muthoni as Muthoni was not afraid to stand up for her personal beliefs.
Her faith and belief in God were coupled with her fear of Joshua. But that was religion and it was the way things were ordered. However, one could still tell by her eyes that this was a religion learnt and accepted; inside the true Gikuyu woman was sleeping (page 34)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Waiyaki was hesitant about the initiation. “He had to” suggests that Waiyaki had no choice but to go through initiation. He also did not want to “disappoint his father”. Although Waiyaki is not comfortable with the ways of the tribe, he knows that he has to go through it for the sake of his father, who is an important leader in the tribe. Waiyaki felt that as Chege’s son it was his duty to continue to lead the people and get them to look up to him. Waiyaki conforms to his father’s desires as he joins the tribe even though he was uncomfortable with their practices.
…he resisted it, he could not help gathering and absorbing notions that prevented him from responding spontaneously to these dances and celebrations. But he knew that he had to go through the initiation. And he did not like to disappoint his father (page 39)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Although Chege was sick, he did not want to eat the white man’s medicine. As he was part of the tribe, he did not want to associate himself with the white man. Chege’s conflict with the white man leads to his downfall, as he was stubborn in his traditional ways and could not put aside his pride to use western medicine, which was the cause of his death.
Chege would never hear of eating the white man’s medicine. (page 60)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
The conflict between his personal beliefs and societal values which his father strongly upholds resulted in constant guilt and confusion within Waiyaki himself. As long as he had differing views or does something that will be considered as betraying the tribe, this guilt, an immediate result of conflict, will haunt him for the rest of his time.
Again Waiyaki felt guilty. Guilty of what? Perhaps of something to do with the light or something to do with being unfaithful to his father’s voice of long ago. (page 86)
If the elders saw him in church they would think that he was betraying them. Waiyaki thought that he would never forsake them. (page 87)
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Both are thus making a ‘compromise’ with their personal beliefs during that moment.
This also shows that Waiyaki does not let his personal conflict out to others so easily so that he can protect himself, prevent others from finding fault in him and continue his work of building education in the society without interruptions.
‘That girl.’ ‘Which?’ ‘Why, Nyambura. Didn’t you see her?’ ‘Well, no I didn’t.’ Waiyaki cursed himself for telling a lie. (page 88)
She (Nyambura) immediately answered ‘No.’ She knew this was not true. (page 90) Why was Waiyaki/Nyambura lying?
He knew full well not to expose himself in front of Kamau, Kabonyi’s son. He also knew the great danger of societal values in Kameno, which prevents Nyambura and Waiyaki from being together. At the same time, Nyambura did not want her mother to know how much she cared or loved Waiyaki.
Personal Beliefs vs Conformity to Societal Values
Conflict between Waiyaki and Kabonyi:
The word ‘battle’ suggests a strong confrontation on Kabonyi’s part, thus creating a conflict. This conflict is a result of Kabonyi’s jealousy towards Waiyaki and was one-sided at the start because Waiyaki did not harbour any ill feelings towards Kabonyi.
As the story progresses, this conflict emerges and becomes a dangerous part of Waiyaki’s life as Kabonyi turns his career downhill by refuting and exposing everything he does.
He (Kabonyi) did not smile but looked defiantly around him. The battle was on. (page 95)
Were people going to be burdened with more building? With more teachers? And was the white man’s education really necessary? (page 95)
Was Kabonyi determined to destroy all that stood against him and the tribe? (page 113)
