Set in postcolonial Zimbabwe in the 1960s and 1970s, author Tsitsi Dangeremgba tells the story of Tumbudzai – Tumbu for short in her book Nervous Conditions. The u YuYou era was particularly difficult for girls and women. When education became accessible to Africans, it became a male privilege (limited to only men). Hence, girls were made to work on fy crythe farm, cook, clean, and prepare for marriage.
But the story I have told here, is my own story, the story of four women whom I loved, and our men
The story starts with the death of Tumbu’s brother and how it allowed her to be educated. Just like many patriarchal African families in the postcolonial era – an era of social transformation, they believed that the white man’s education was the way out. Tumbu is pulled out of school because the money available can cater for one and that one is the first son of her family. Tumbu, very determined to go to school, grows maize on her grandmother’s farmland to pay for her school fees. Soon after, her brother dies mysteriously and Tumbu who is the next in line in the family is sent to live with her uncle to continue her education at the mission school. In Umtali, Tumbu and Nyasha – her cousin form a strong bond – a sisterhood that breaks the bond and sets both girls free. Nyasha’s openness, free-spirited nature, and rebellion drive Tumbu to see the world from a different perspective.
But when you’ve seen different things you want to be sure that you are adjusting to the right thing
This book is everything to me – my favourite book of the year so far. Thank you #bookstagram for putting me on this one. It did not disappoint. I got hooked right from the first sentence:
I was not sorry when my brother died. Nor am I apologizing for my callousness, as you may define it, my lack of feeling.
Every part of the book was enjoyable. I couldn’t put it down until I was done. I loved Dangaremgba’s writing and language. The writing is thoughtfully reflective, intriguing with a pinch of humour.
I loved how Dangaremgba carefully constructed the struggles African women face. Gender and Oppression. Dangaremgba presents different types of women in her book. Tumbu’s mother – described as a woman who does not own her mind for it first belonged to her father then her to her husband. There’s Maiguru, her uncle’s wife – an educated woman whose husband refuses to respect her opinion. Lucia – her mother’s sister who is looked down on because she is unmarried and childless but later gets pregnant in a not so ideal situation. There’s my favourite character – Nyasha, Tumbu’s cousin. Nyasha is not considered one of them because she lived in England while her father finished his Masters. She is a victim to her femaleness and to the Englishness.
I recommend this book. Read this!
Comments