The setting sun was ablaze, and its angry rays coloured the waters on Lake Victoria. Mboga’s heart beat fast. He had never seen the disc of the setting sun look so big and ominous. He moved towards the foot of the sacred Hill of Ramogi where his forefathers had, from time immemorial, worshipped God and pleaded with the ancestors. For many years, Mboga had beseeched Ramogi, the ancestor of the Luo people, to intercede on his behalf for a son, an heir to the beaded stool of the Kadibo people. He had decided to make one final plea on this sacred spot. He spat in the direction of the setting sun, and then prayed.
God of Ramogi and God of Podho
You led us from distant lands,
And protected us against all our enemies.
You gave us land and other possessions,
Let the name of Ramogi continue
Let us multiply and expand in all directions People call me Mboga the Mighty, the handsome ruler, Father of the clan.
What is a mighty ruler without a son?
What is a father without an heir?
Darkness was falling when Mboga reached home. In the inner compound of his homestead, his ‘numerous daughters,’ as he always referred to them, were busy helping their mothers prepare the evening meal. And although he loved all his sixteen daughters, they were like the birds of the air who, at the appropriate season, migrate to other lands. Who would comfort and succor him in old age?
The drizzle that had started in the evening continued up to the early hours of the next day. The children stayed in their mother’s huts. Agiso took a red sweet potato from a basket and buried it in the cowdung fire. She added a handful of dry cow-dung to the fire, and then turned to Achieng’, her mother.
“Mama- why can’t we live in the bamboo hut? It is clean, cosy, cool and beautiful. Please ask Baba if we can move into it,” she said appealingly.
“But our hut is one of the best in the compound, my child.” “I know that, Mama, but it can’t beat the bamboo hut. Our hut has no inner chamber and we have no bamboo beds or beaded stools.” Agiso took a wooden poker and turned the potato over.
“Right, Mama,” she said, throwing the poker down. “If you are afraid of the chief, I will ask him myself. I am not afraid.”
The bamboo hut stood next to the chief’s large hut. It looked beautiful in the morning drizzle. Agiso’s mother took her eyes away from it. She was expecting her second baby after an interval of nearly seven years. She knew it would be a girl. The chief, who had nine wives, had promised the bamboo hut to whoever bore him a son, an heir to the beaded stool.
Two months after Mboga’s visit to the sacred hill, Achieng’ gave birth while she was out at the well. It was a baby girl! The longnursed desire for a son turned her heart against the baby, and she wept bitterly. “How do I break this sad news to my husband? Will the chief bear the thought of another girl! No, no, no. Let my mouth remain sealed for ever- the ancestors have wronged me.”
But Achieng’s weeping was interrupted by a sharp pain that stabbed her belly and back. It was like one of those miracles that occur only once in a while. Achieng’ gave birth again- it was a boy! The river bank was still deserted as most women did not fetch water at midday. Everything was so quiet, apart from a few frogs who seemed to be rejoicing with her. She felt very tired, and for a few minutes different passions played a wild dance within her. Love, hatred, anger and happiness crossed and intermingled. The chief had waited for a son for over twelve years. Let the chief have only one child, a son, so that he might see the fulfilment of his life’s dream. Achieng’ made up her mind. She made a grass- basket and lined it with leaves- there she laid Apiyo and hid the basket near the well. She gave her a long, close and last look, and then ran a finger over her face, hair, lips and delicate fingers. She then walked home with her baby boy, and slipped into her hut unnoticed while people were having their midday meal.
The important news was conveyed to Chief Mboga by his elder wife while he was resting in his hut. “God of Ramogi has covered the nakedness of the father of the people. Achieng’ has given birth to a baby son.” Mboga looked at his wife unbelievingly. A joyous smile played on his lips, and then disappeared, leaving only muscles twitching at the corners of his mouth. He eyed his wife and then got up to go to Achieng’s hut. But his elder wife barred his way.
“The great chief should not be over-powered by emotion. Achieng’ is under the care of women for four days. Only then can the great chief see his beloved son.”
Mboga moved a few steps backwards and sat on his stool. “All right, tell Achieng’ that I have received the news.” Then the Chief’s drum boomed out to announce the birth of a new baby. This time it boomed out four times instead of the usual three for a girl, and the family rejoiced. Envy mixed with bitterness in the minds of Achieng’s cowives, but they did not show it. A sheep was slaughtered for the delivered mother and all good things were showed upon her.
Chief Mboga never laughed or shed tears in public, but on the fourth day when he held his son at a naming ceremony, his close relatives saw a big lumps of tears rolling down his cheeks as he called out the name of the boy.
“You will be called ‘Owiny’ after the second son of Ramogi. You will live long, and in my old age you will hold the staff of Ramogi in your right hand to rule your people.” Then the chief’s beaded staff was placed in Owiny’s right hand and the chief’s ornamental bracelet put on his wrist.
On that day, Achieng’ and Agiso, her daughter, moved to the bamboo hut. There, they were to bring up Owiny, heir to Mboga’s beaded stool. The chief offered numerous thanksgiving sacrifices at the foot of the sacred hill. His prayers always ended with the refrain:
“Now I know you did indeed choose me to be a ruler among these people. You have given me a son.” Amid all the reverlry, Achieng’ maintained a most singular gravity. She felt as if something in her heart were breaking. She could not go on like this any longer- but what was to be done? Should she look for her daughter? No, she could not do anything like that. Could she tell her husband the truth- but how?
She went to the well on the sixth day to bathe herself after confinement. She walked hurriedly past the place where she had abandoned her daughter Apiyo. There was nothing on the spot to betray her, and the long grass stood erect as though nothing had ever rested on it. As she trudged along on her way home, Achieng’ had many thoughts, confused thoughts, but thoughts nevertheless, and even visions, about her lost daughter.
She saw an old, withered woman pick up her daughter by the well.
She saw her perform a kind of witches’ dance round the basket, before carrying it away. The route followed by the old woman was towards the no-man’s land lying between the Kadibo folk and their enemies. She then saw her daughter being thrown away in this forest, which was known to be infested with wild animals.
Unconsciously, she yelled! Her heart began to beat and a sudden moisture wetted the middle of her palms. Was it true? “No, no, no!” she replied.
Years slipped by, but Achieng’s distraught mind showed no signs of improvement. It was a life of visions and depression in the day-time, and of nightmares at night. Neither her privileged position among the chief’s wives nor the future prospects for her son were adequate to fill the acute emptiness she felt in her heart. Owiny grew up into a fine, young man, with the usual characteristics of single children- sulky, headstrong and independent. One afternoon, as the chief was on one of his regular walks to the sacred hill, he encountered a group of young women carrying loads of fire-wood. The girls left the path and hid behind the long bushes to let the chief pass. But one girl put her bundle down and stood waiting. When the chief got close to her, she bowed her head and greeted him.
“Peace be with you, great chief.”
“Peace, my child,” said the chief, who was obviously moved by the courage of this young girl.
“Are you not afraid of the chief like your sisters?” the chief teased her.
“No. It is my lucky day to meet the kind chief.” Then she put her bundle on her head and walked away.
That night Mboga called his son and told him about the young woman.
“She is the daughter of Owuor Chilo the clan elder of Usigu. She is visiting her aunt here. Try and see her tomorrow. If you like her, we will approach her parents. She should make a good wife.”
Owiny was curious to meet the young lady whose personality had impressed the chief so much. He kept watch on her movements; and when a messenger informed him that the girl and her friends had been seen swimming in the river Odundu, he immediately rushed to the scene. At the river half a dozen young women were swimming and shouting at one another. One of the older girls saw Owiny first, and rushed out of the water yelling. “The chief’s son! The chief’s son!” The girls, taken unaware, scrambled out of the water and hid behind the nearest bushes. But the girl who obviously looked younger than the others continued to swim, undisturbed. Owiny moved closer to her. “Why aren’t you afraid of the son of the chief?” he asked her, jokingly.
The girl was not bashful. She looked knowingly at him, raised her head a little and, concealing her breasts, said, “Because the son of the chief does not respect ladies’ privacy.” “I was on my way to the hills to hunt, when I heard some shrieking noises- I therefore came to check.”
“Right,” she said with finality, as she dived in and out. “Now that you know who were shrieking, you can continue with your journey.” Owiny stood there puzzled. This foolhardy girl was not from his clan- her accent was foreign. She could be the girl the chief had told him about.
“Can’t you come out and give your friends their loin cloths? I didn’t mean to be rude to them.” “It would be better if you left us alone- we are still swimming.” “No,” Owiny said firmly. “I want to talk to all of you about the coming festival of the chief.”
“All right,” she said. “Throw me my loin cloth-it is the beaded one.”
Owiny was shocked by the girl’s natural air of importance. He never took orders from anyone, let alone any woman-he was always waited upon. He swallowed his pride and threw her the beaded loin cloth. The girl wrapped her loin cloth round her waist and emerged from the water unafraid. She grabbed the other loin cloths in her arm and handed them to her friends behind the bushes.
Owiny felt warm and uncomfortable where he stood. For the first time in his life he was unsure of himself. He took a close look at the girl- she was much older than the chief had suggested. Her long slender legs would fill up with maturity. Her fingers were long and graceful; and she had a straight back and flat lovable belly. Her breast were still young and stood erect like wooden carvings on her chest. Her skin dotted with water was the colour of the rising sun. As Owiny looked at her, she reminded him of Arosi, the legendary and beautiful goddess of the sea. They exchanged a few words, and she told Owiny that her name was Awiti.
That evening, Owiny was in a melancholy mood. A newly discovered fire was burning in his heart. He reported to his father that he had seen the girl and that he liked her very much. In those days, the marriage preliminaries for the son of a chief were conducted with proper punctilio. The chief therefore sent out messengers to investigate the girl’s background. Gossip had reached Achieng’ that her would-be daughter-in-law had no equal for beauty in all Luoland. She had, moreover, been brought up with great care and was diligent. The messengers returned with red dust on their feet and with empty bellies. On seeing them, Chief Mboga went to his hut to receive the news. They told him:
“The family of Owuor Chilo did not deal with us kindly when we enquired about the girl. It seemed that word had reached them that the young man, your son, may be seeking her hand in marriage. They insisted that Awiti was too young, that they should be given time. But we pressed them. We had seen the girl- she is beautiful and ripe for marriage. The family then conferred among themselves outside, and when they joined us, they told us that Awiti may not wish to marry the chief’s son.”
The messenger who was speaking looked at the chief anxiously and moistened his dry lips.
“Go on,” the chief roared aggressively. He looked past them so that they could not notice the angry frown which distorted his face. “They said, great chief, that it is impossible.” Mboga’s fame was not confined to his clan alone. Who was Owuor Chilo whose daughter could reject the offer of the son of the chief?
“Go on,” he repeated.
“We were not satisfied with the excuses given, so we called at a neighboring village and enquired circumspectly about the girl. We were told that Awiti has no parents. She was found abandoned by the well by Owuor’s elder wife who adopted her.”
The messenger cleared his throat, and mopped away a mushroom of sweat from his forehead. The air suddenly became still and suffocating, as Chief Mboga discharged his messengers. He knocked his pipe on a wooden log nearby to empty the dead ashes. Owiny’s new hut caught his eye. Mboga knew that his son would not accept the news. But a chief’s son could not marry a nonentity, a woman of unknown parentage. That evening when the restless cows had been milked and the tired children sat around the fire by their mothers waiting for the evening meal, Owiny was summoned to the chief’s hut. Mboga broke the sad news to his son.
“My son, you cannot marry Chilo’s daughter. She was abandoned as a baby by the well- the wife of Chilo found her and brought her up.” Mboga sucked his pipe and then spat on the hard-beaten floor.
“As the future ruler of the land you cannot marry a woman whose background is a mystery.”
Owiny tightened his buttocks on the oily stool he was sitting on. He wanted to rise and leave the chief’s hut, but he fell back. Breath had gone out of him, and he felt dizzy. As he recovered from the shock, he had a hazy vision of Awiti- he saw her beautiful figure and her provocative breasts. The fire revived in him. He must tell his father the truth.
“Father let me take her to be my wife. I love her. I want to live with her. I …”
Tears choked Owiny and he could not complete the sentence. “No, my son,” the chief said, she is not good enough for our home- the ancestors would be displeased. We shall find you a suitable woman.” Owiny got up unexpectedly, paced up and down the room and then turned sharply to face his father.
“Will the great chief change his mind and allow me to marry the woman I desire?”
Mboga gripped the ruling staff tightly.
“No,” he thundered and his voice rang in the still night. Owiny stood before his father for a while before he spoke gravely. “Great chief, you will not see my face again. I have chosen the daughter of Chiloyou can keep your beaded stool.”
Without waiting for his father’s reply, Owiny left. He shut himself up in his hut-he wished to blot the whole world out of his sight. What was he to do? Commit suicide? No, he must live to marry Awiti. Run away- but where?
The dismay in the homestead, when the news became known, may well be imagined. But all the uncles, aunts and other relatives agreed with the chief that Awiti would not make a suitable wife for Mboga’s son. Only Achieng’, Owiny’s mother, knew the truth. Was she to die with this secret? Her son’s life was at stake- why not face the chief and tell him the truth? She might ruin his life-but he was old enough to die. Her son had all his life before him. She made up her mind- she must say it.
She went to the chief’s hut and fell at his feet weeping.
“She is my daughter. Awiti is the daughter of the great chief, and twin sister to Owiny, your son. I abandoned her by the well because I wanted to give you nothing but a son.”
Mboga sat still and the hairs on his skin stood erect like those of a frightened cat. The scene on the path from the sacred hill when Awiti greeted him by the roadside came to his mind. Yes, her face resembled that of his son. Mboga looked past his wife into the dark night. Only a few hours more and it would be sunrise, then the whole land would know the truth. He knew his people were going to persuade him to send Achieng’ away. She had thrown away her newborn baby, she had angered the ancestors; she was not worthy of being a chief’s wife.
But Mboga made up his mind. No-one was going to take Achieng’ from him. She was the centre of his life. The self- doubt that often follows the betrayal of life-long trust crept into Mboga’s mind. He wondered what other secrets were still hidden in the bosoms of his wives. He lifted Achieng’s head from his feet.
“Mother of Awiti, arise. For my sake you have borne a heavy burden for many years. You have denied yourself the pleasure a mother gets from seeing her child. Go and tell your son that he has a very beautiful sister. I shall give him my choicest bull to slaughter and eat with his sister and friends- let us all rejoice and thank our ancestor Ramogi.”
Understanding and appreciating the story
- Why was chief Mboga so desperate for a son?
- Do you blame Achieng’ for abandoning her infant daughter?
Explain.
- Why do you think a chief was not meant to shed tears in public?
- Describe Awiti’s beauty in your own words.
- What is the relevance of the song to the story?
- How is Awiti different from other girls in the story?
- Do you think there is suspense in the story? How is it brought out?
- Do you think it is right for chief Mboga to forgive Achieng?
Why?
Discussion questions
- Discuss the traditions of the community in the story. Are there any signs in this story that there could be changes to the old ways as time passes?
- Discuss the different roles of men and women in the society as brought out in the story. Compare these roles with what is happening in our society. Do you think there will be equality between men and women in the future?
- Discuss the importance that this community placed on sons. Can you think of a situation in modern politics where there have been discussion about whether a woman can make a good leader?
- Chief Mboga was desperate for a son because in their community, the beaded stool, which symbolizes leadership and authority, could only be passed on to a male heir. Without a son, Mboga had no one to succeed him as the ruler of the Kadibo people.
- It is not fair to solely blame Achieng’ for abandoning her infant daughter. Achieng’ was under immense societal pressure to produce a son, and she believed that by abandoning the baby girl and concealing the truth, she could secure a better future for her son and ensure he becomes the chief’s heir. Her actions were driven by desperation and the fear of disappointing her husband and the community.
- Chiefs were expected to maintain a strong and stoic public image to display their authority and power. Shedding tears in public could be perceived as a sign of weakness or vulnerability, which might undermine their leadership and respect among the people.
- Awiti’s beauty is described as captivating and extraordinary. She is depicted as having a graceful figure, long slender legs, a straight back, flat belly, and erect and provocative breasts. Her skin is compared to the color of the rising sun, making her stand out as a remarkable and alluring young woman.
- The relevance of the song in the story lies in its significance as a form of prayer and thanksgiving. Chief Mboga offers thanksgiving sacrifices to the ancestors to express his gratitude for the birth of his son, Owiny, who is meant to be the heir to the beaded stool. The song underscores the importance of sons in their society and the traditional beliefs associated with praying to the ancestors for blessings and prosperity.
- Awiti is different from other girls in the story due to her boldness, fearlessness, and independence. Unlike the other girls who hid when they saw the chief, Awiti boldly stands her ground and converses with Owiny despite his status. She is not afraid to speak her mind and challenges traditional gender norms, making her a unique and intriguing character.
- Yes, there is suspense in the story. The suspense is brought out through the secret surrounding Awiti’s identity. Readers are kept in suspense until Achieng’ reveals the truth to Chief Mboga about Awiti being his daughter. The suspense builds up as we wonder how the truth will affect the relationship between Owiny, Chief Mboga, and Achieng’.
- It is understandable for Chief Mboga to forgive Achieng’ considering the circumstances and the love he has for her. He realizes the sacrifices she made and the burden she carried for many years, and he chooses to show compassion and understanding. Moreover, he also recognizes the beauty of having a daughter like Awiti, and this further strengthens his decision to forgive Achieng’.
Discussion Questions:
The story portrays traditional gender roles and the significance placed on male heirs. Discuss how the community’s traditions and expectations influenced the characters’ actions and decisions. Explore whether the story hints at any potential changes in these traditions as time passes.Analyze the roles of men and women in the society depicted in the story and compare them to the roles of men and women in contemporary society. Discuss how gender equality has evolved and whether there is a possibility of achieving full equality in the future.
Explore the theme of leadership and succession in the story. Discuss whether a woman can make a good leader and examine any real-life political examples where there have been debates about women’s leadership capabilities. Discuss the challenges women face in entering leadership positions and how society’s perceptions can affect their opportunities
The Bamboo Hut by Grace Ogot
- Setting
The story is set among the people who live on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is a rural setting in the era of the African chieftaincy. The story is completely devoid of Western influence and examines the shortcomings of the inherited chieftaincy and how this affects the chief‟s family. Further, it examines the morality of the decisions these people make owing to the pressure of the inherited chieftaincy.
- The Plot
Chief Mboga goes to the foot of the Ramogi Hills to pray for a son. He is a man both stressed and depressed because none of his many wives have borne him a son to inherit his throne. This is the final plea he is making on this sacred spot. His wife, Achieng‟ is pregnant and due to give birth soon. Unknown to anybody, she is carrying twins. Two months after Mboga‟s visit to the sacred hill she
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gives birth alone at the river bank where she had gone to fetch water. She is disappointed when she gives birth to a baby girl. Her disappointment is not long lived though because she goes into labour again and this time the twin is a boy. Overjoyed and desiring to please her husband, she abandons the girl child by the bank and takes the boy back home to the happy chief.
Her secret tears at her heart but when she goes back to the river bank after staying indoors for the mandatory 4 days, the baby is not there.
Many years later the chief encounters a girl that impresses him with her bravery and he wishes that his son marries her. His son, Owiny, too is impressed by the girl and vows to marry none other. However, the protocol of marriage in a chief‟s home has to be followed. It turns out that nobody knows the girl‟s father because her foster mother had found her abandoned by the river bank soon after birth. The right decision is reached at the chief‟s home: his son cannot marry a woman of unknown parentage.
Owiny would have none of this. He had set his eyes on Awiti and no substitute would appease him. Achieng‟ is a tortured mother. Awiti‟s story fits that of the child she had abandoned by the river bank. She has no choice but to tell the truth.
The chief has a moral obligation to punish her for the wrong that she had done. (it was taboo to throw away a new born child and she was therefore not worthy of being the chief‟s wife) He chooses not to and instead organises a celebration and keeps his family together.
- Conflict
- Mboga and the gods
Chief Mboga feels that the gods have denied him happiness. For many years he had beseeched Ramogi, the ancestor of the Luo people, to intercede on his behalf for a son. He is not happy because he hasn‟t a son to inherit his chieftaincy.
- Achieng‟
She badly wanted to please her husband by being the first wife to bear him a son. So focused is she that when she gives birth to twins se abandons the girl child by the river bank for she argues that she will spoil the fun. She soon finds out that this decision comes back to haunt her. She can neither find the child she had abandoned nor the peace of mind that should have come naturally to her for bearing the heir to the chief‟s throne. iii. Owiny and Mboga
Owiny is very disappointed when he finds out that he cannot marry Awiti. He tells his father that he has chosen Awiti over the beaded stool. iv. Achieng‟ and Mboga
Achieng realises that she is the only one who can resolve the conflict between her husband and son. However, this comes with a risk to her personal safety. If she reveals that she had abandoned a new born baby, then the rules demanded that she be sent away. She chooses to tell the truth despite the consequences.
The chief too has a problem because he risks breaking his family. He makes up his mind to keep Achieng‟ despite the mistake that she had committed because losing her would break his heart. Further, he argues
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that she had borne a lot of pain when she lost the opportunity of seeing her child.
- Character and characterisation
Mboga: traditional, merciful, strict, authoritarian
Owiny: resolute/stubborn,
Achieng‟: decisive
- Themes
- Tradition
A number of Luo traditional practices are brought out in this story: Marriage, child naming, chieftaincy, religion ii. Clemency/forgiveness Achieng‟ had gone against the rules of the community. As a result, she was supposed to be sent away. The chief gives two extenuating circumstances against effecting this decision. The first is the heartache it was going to cause him to lose the woman he loved; secondly, he pitied her for the pain she had lived with upon losing her daughter. The third reason is a very interesting revelation: people have secrets and he does not know the extent of these secrets. But it makes him learn that though he was a powerful chief, he was still human and his own family kept secrets from him.
iii. Power/authority
Chief Mboga although considered a mighty leader understands his limitations. If the chieftaincy is to remain in his lineage he has to sire a son. There is nothing he can do about this. Besides, he needs a son to look after him because he has no authority to keep his daughters from going away upon attaining marriage age.
Further, he follows all the laid down procedures to prepare for the marriage of his son. When it turns out that his son cannot marry Awiti, he does not use his office unjustly to influence the marriage although he risks losing his son for he is determined to marry Awiti. The import of this is that leadership is a challenge and that the use of power/authority for the common good is its sole object. This the mighty chief achieves.
The only time he uses his office to suit his purposes is the time he refuses to send Awiti away but chooses to celebrate the return of his daughter.
- POV
This story is told from a third person point of view. This is appropriate because it is a controlled admiration of a leader by his subjects. Any other point of view would have been subjective. The audience is able to find reason to admire the leadership of Mboga as he deals with a difficult period in his tenure involving personal matters.
He comes out us a leader who makes judicious decisions. Certainly leadership is not a bed of roses.
- a) Aptness of title The title is symbolic. The bamboo hut in Mboga‟s home was beautifully built and well kept, however it was reserved for the woman who would bear the chief a son. Achieng‟ does and she is treated with the respect that the hut was. When the chief learns of the mistake she had committed in order to please him, she is forgiven her sins. That decision too is symbolic because it brings out the gentler side of the chief or the human face
leadership. The bamboo plant is a delicate one just like the decision the chief had to take on this issue.
- Significant event
The significant event is the arrival of the twins; in particular their being born by the river bank away from prying eyes. This allows Achieng‟ to make a personal decision that allows the story to develop.
- The aim of the author
The author is concerned with the pressures that people in position of authority have to deal with as they conduct their business. Mboga is called a great chief; some also call him a mighty chief. This is because he applies the rules even when his family is affected and all this to the common good. This therefore should be the goal of any leader.
Task
Leadership is not a bed of roses. Discuss this assertion in light of the events in this story.