The River Between

The major point of the book “The River Between” is based on the conflict that arises between the two groups of people as a result of differences in culture, religion, and beliefs and values. On the one side of the river was the village of Kameno. These people had traditional tribal beliefs of polytheism and believed in circumcision as the initiation of a boy into manhood. They also strongly resisted the white men’s way of life. On the other side of the river was the village of Makuyu. The people in this village believed in Christianity and felt strongly against being circumcised. These people believed in adopting the white men’s way of life. A main part of the book is based on the love conflict between a boy named Waiyaki who is from Kameno and a girl named Nyambura who is from Makuyu. They both fall in love, but knowing the religious and cultural differences between them knew that they would not be accepted. When Waiyaki asks her to marry him and asks is she loves him Nyambura says, “I do, I do…But can’t you see we cannot marry…Father will not allow it. I cannot disobey him” (107). I think the point of this book is that different beliefs and religions can create harsh feelings between different groups of people, but we should be open to accepting everyone.