Time for practical critical approach

Tom Sangala March 5, 2017

398 8 minutes read

ALL issues to do with the burial were complete. Mourners returned to the village as all others were leaving for their various abodes. The party of the chief, as is customary in this community, joined the mourners to see to it that all funeral rituals had been concluded. The sun had set, and the chief was set to return to his house but not without verification that everything was in order so as not to anger the ancestral spirits. The closest and grown-ups of the mourning party were summoned to meet the chief. In his supposedly subdued condition, he asked, “Have you already identified the one to conclude this funeral?” All were quiet. One of the brothers of the deceased’s wife rose up and whispered into the chief’s ears. He excused himself and went away with two other people from the family of the deceased. Upon return, they handed over an envelope to the chief. It contained some cash. So the chief dismissed the gathering and left the place together with his three ministers. Money had done it; in lieu of a cleansing sex act. A short story titled ‘The Secret’ by Stembridge

The sun had set, and the chief was set to return to his house but not without verification that everything was in order so as not to anger the ancestral spirits. The closest and grown-ups of the mourning party were summoned to meet the chief. In his supposedly subdued condition, he asked, “Have you already identified the one to conclude this funeral?” All were quiet. One of the brothers of the deceased’s wife rose up and whispered into the chief’s ears. He excused himself and went away with two other people from the family of the deceased. Upon return, they handed over an envelope to the chief. It contained some cash. So the chief dismissed the gathering and left the place together with his three ministers. Money had done it; in lieu of a cleansing sex act. A short story titled ‘The Secret’ by Stembridge

In his supposedly subdued condition, he asked, “Have you already identified the one to conclude this funeral?” All were quiet. One of the brothers of the deceased’s wife rose up and whispered into the chief’s ears. He excused himself and went away with two other people from the family of the deceased. Upon return, they handed over an envelope to the chief. It contained some cash. So the chief dismissed the gathering and left the place together with his three ministers. Money had done it; in lieu of a cleansing sex act. A short story titled ‘The Secret’ by Stembridge

He excused himself and went away with two other people from the family of the deceased. Upon return, they handed over an envelope to the chief. It contained some cash. So the chief dismissed the gathering and left the place together with his three ministers. Money had done it; in lieu of a cleansing sex act. A short story titled ‘The Secret’ by Stembridge.

One of the brothers of the deceased’s wife rose up and whispered into the chief’s ears. He excused himself and went away with two other people from the family of the deceased. Upon return, they handed over an envelope to the chief. It contained some cash. So the chief dismissed the gathering and left the place together with his three ministers. Money had done it; in lieu of a cleansing sex act. A short story titled ‘The Secret’ by Stembridge Dishoni is collected in An Anthology of Malawian Literature for Junior Secondary edited by Christopher Kamlongera and Wales Mwanza, a Dzuka publication of 1993. Synoptically, the story is about Manuel Kwenda who defies

So the chief dismissed the gathering and left the place together with his three ministers. Money had done it; in lieu of a cleansing sex act. A short story titled ‘The Secret’ by Stembridge Dishoni is collected in An Anthology of Malawian Literature for Junior Secondary edited by Christopher Kamlongera and Wales Mwanza, a Dzuka publication of 1993. Synoptically, the story is about Manuel Kwenda who defies

Synoptically, the story is about Manuel Kwenda who defies village odds and excels in life. His father and mother have lived in an impoverished condition only to be alleviated from the poverty through his success. He has built them a fitting house and the family life has changed. But the party is later spoiled by another villager, Nsimbenji, who comes ranting during one of the visits of Manuel to the village. The story unfolds that Nsimbenji was hired to sleep with Nambewe, Kwenda’s wife, for the child. Four goats were staked for the very deserving service. Nsimbenji has five children in his own family but none has gone further with school. So, on this particular day, he decides to break the oath of secrecy and claim back his child. He confronts

Four goats were staked for the very deserving service. Nsimbenji has five children in his own family but none has gone further with school. So, on this particular day, he decides to break the oath of secrecy and claim back his child. He confronts Kwenda at his house as Manuel is taking breakfast in the house. The Hyena Wears Darkness by Steve Chimombo is another interesting read. This is a trilogy and in the first story, ‘The Widow’s Liberation’, Pangapatha

This is a trilogy and in the first story, ‘The Widow’s Liberation’, Pangapatha Ndamo dies and his cousin Sigele Jika comes in to assist at the funeral. Prior to that, the deceased’s wife found Sigele as the closest relative to her husband. After the funeral, his uncle

After the funeral, his uncle Ndamo tells Sigele what has been agreed by the elders and part of their dialogue goes like this: “Andaunire is a businesswoman and interested in quick results. She told me she didn’t have the time to come again on future dates for the lumeto and then kusudzura which usually take place on separate occasion.

Therefore she came prepared to finalise the important rites, if we permitted her.” “And you did?” “It is in the interest of both sides of the family to effect the rites as precipitately as possible.” This was uncharacteristic of village practice, Sigele thought. “Following the western practice?” He couldn’t help putting it in. “We are forced by circumstances to adapt,” Ndamo almost chuckled. “But kusudzula includes having sex with the widow, doesn’t it?” Sigele wanted to clarify the issues involved. He had a vision of his wife.

“It’s just a duty on both sides to release the widow so she can marry again. You must admit in this case it is more than just a duty. Atupele is a quite woman, the epitome of womanhood. Several young men would jump at a chance like this.” “Why don’t you let them, then?” “You are the brother to the deceased. You have already helped the family a great deal. The widow seems to prefer this arrangement too.”

He has built them a fitting house and the family life has changed. But the party is later spoiled by another villager, Nsimbenji, who comes ranting during one of the visits of Manuel to the village.

The story unfolds that Nsimbenji was hired to sleep with Nambewe, Kwenda’s wife, for the child. Four goats were staked for the very deserving service. Nsimbenji has five children in his own family but none has gone further with school. So, on this particular day, he decides to break the oath of secrecy and claim back his child. He confronts Kwenda at his house as Manuel is taking breakfast in the house.

The Hyena Wears Darkness by Steve Chimombo is another interesting read. This is a trilogy and in the first story, ‘The Widow’s Liberation’, Pangapatha Ndamo dies and his cousin Sigele Jika comes in to assist at the funeral. Prior to that, the deceased’s wife found Sigele as the closest relative to her husband. After the funeral, his uncle Ndamo tells Sigele what has been agreed by the elders and part of their dialogue goes like this: “Andaunire is a businesswoman and interested in quick results.

She told me she didn’t have the time to come again on future dates for the lumeto and then kusudzura which usually take place on separate occasion. Therefore she came prepared to finalise the important rites, if we permitted her.” “And you did?” “It is in the interest of both sides of the family to effect the rites as precipitately as possible.” This was uncharacteristic of village practice, Sigele thought. “Following the western practice?” He couldn’t help putting it in. “We are forced by circumstances to adapt,” Ndamo almost chuckled.

“But kusudzula includes having sex with the widow, doesn’t it?” Sigele wanted to clarify the issues involved. He had a vision of his wife. “It’s just a duty on both sides to release the widow so she can marry again. You must admit in this case it is more than just a duty. Atupele is a quite woman, the epitome of womanhood. Several young men would jump at a chance like this.” “Why don’t you let them, then?”

“You are the brother to the deceased. You have already helped the family a great deal. The widow seems to prefer this arrangement too.”
“Does she?” Sigele ejaculated. He was reminded of Atupele’s sores again.

The fact is Atupele has not been in favour of the ritual. She has only acquiesced to it because it has been imposed on her. She has thought about telling Sigele that she is HIV positive. But Sigele abdicates the role onto his elder brother, Ndakulapa, on the pretext that he cannot afford to look down upon his elder brother who deserves such a ‘privilege’.

As we read in the next story, ‘The Widow’s Revenge’, Ndakulapa, too, bolts after being told the truth. This confuses the society which has been looking forward to a report that it has been achieved. In the final story, ‘The Hyena Wears Darkness’, debate ensues; to continue to be in the ancestral practice or not: “We’ll have a scandal in our hands.” Pumulani wrung her hands. We’ll be the laughing stock of Mutopa. What will the people say when they hear that our hyena fled the ritual hut in the night?”

“We will have a scandal of different kind,” Ndamo corrected. “What will the project people say when they hear that our committee members consented to the ritual behind their backs? All the plans for the orphan care and skills centre will be cancelled now.” Writers are required to play their part in mitigating sociaills.

The writing—be it fiction and non-fiction–must embrace social messaging. And layering is also encouraged. It does not need to be by reference because even the approach through inference works. Our two writers here have given us cases which may invoke critical thinking in our society. To arrest hyenas is not necessarily the only solution. Civic education must take another heightened approach and writers have so far proven to be effective.

To arrest hyenas is not necessarily the only solution. Civic education must take another heightened approach and writers have so far proven to be effective.