Ngugi's Statement

I feel Ngugi’s purpose behind writing The River Between was to comment upon religious strife. If one sticks to only blinding believing in tradition then he will never succeed against foreign enemies. This statement is made by Chege, Waiyaki’s father when he placed Waiyaki in the Sirina school and also had him participate in tribal rituals. Compromises between religions or traditions must be made in order for progress to occur as the respected Chege noticed. Chege told Waiyaki he must learn how the white men are but never forget his tribe. Yet, Waiyaki realizes this stating “the need for unity… if not would cripple his efforts for education” (91). In order for something more to be achieved traditions must be compromised. Unfortunately, this does not occur in The River Between and the traditions continue. At some point, people from different backgrounds need to take a step back and ask themselves what is best for the community. Within this novel it is apparent the differences as well as the similarities of the Christian religion and the tribal customs. Unfortunately ,these two customs cannot find a way to reconcile with each other. Waiyaki and Muthoni experienced excommunication and horrid punishment for trying to bridge the gap between religions and traditions. Overall, Ngugi’s point was powerful in that it showed the brave youth attempt to compromise the typical traditions and even go against what they had always believed. It also makes one realize that believing blindly can create havic within society. As was recognized in the book that traditions based on love and honor are not incredibly honorable if they do not allow one another to love his tribe and religion and continually judge the other traditions. The last point that Ngugi adds into the mix of the book, is no matter how much tension is created between humans whether between Christianity versus tribe rituals, tribe versus tribe, white versus black, or youth versus old, nature continues. “And Honia river went on flowing between them, down through the valley of life, its beat rising above the dark stillness, reaching into the heart of the people of Makuyu and Kameno” (152). Overall I found this book to make a very bold statement.