On "A River Between"

Ngugi's book seems to point out the main problem with any conflict: people who stand in between two opposing rivals in an attempt to bring them together become enemies of both sides rather than champions. We have on one side the Kiama, a council of men who wish to preserve the purity of the tribes by preserving their original traditions. On the other end, the tribe residing in Makuyu was lead by the traditions of Christianity. Both sides hated the other, for the tribe of old wished for the Christians to find their way back, while the Christians wanted to stop the heathens from practicing their sinful rituals like circumcision. But Waiyaki was one who wished to bring unity between the two. He believed in staying true to his tribes traditions, but at the same time believed the Christian side had access to the resources of the white man and could supply good education to all the people. But neither side shared his goal of unity. The Kiami, influenced by bias of those who hated Waiyaki, had little thought of compromising with the Christians, and saw Waiyaki as a threat to the purity of the tribe. For still believing in the ways of the tribe, the Christians didn’t trust Waiyaki either. And although Waiyaki had done much good for the common people by bringing them the gift of education, both sides only wished to stop him. We see in this book that all of these sides wish for a common good, but only those who stand in between two opposing sides believe an ultimate goal can be reached by uniting both sides. But, it seems the more accepting one is, the more he becomes hated. The problem lies with the quality of acceptance is viewed by extremist as giving in to the other side. Extremist see the only correct way to go about something is their way, and are willing to take down anyone who stands even the slightest away from that. Anyone who stands in the middle to bring all kinds of people together, then, is hated and is viewed as corruptors. Waiyaki only wished for a common good, but his acceptance of both sides only brought him enmity. Waiyaki symbolized the point that in conflict we have those who can stand between, but the two opposing sides hating Waiyaki see the in between person as much an enemy as the other side. This represents the idea that extremist from either side cannot accept anything less then full support of their own ideas.