CHADEMA: MKIWA UMOFIA NI BORA KUWA OBIERIKA KULIKO KUWA OKONKWO

[Dr Adam Francis]

"Things fall apart" ni moja ya kazi nzuri sana ya fasihi yenye mafunzo kedekede iliyofanywa na Hayati Chinua Achebe. Kwa wahenga wenzangu mtaikumbuka riwaya hii kama mojawapo ya riwaya za kiada kwenye English Literature kwaajiri ya mitihani ya kidato cha nne.

Kwafaida ya wasioifahamu riwaya hii ni simulizi inayohusu jamii ya waigbo wa vijiji cha Umofia, Abame na Mbata yenye wahusika wakubwa wawili, mmoja akiwa ni mtu jasiri na hodari aliyeamini katika kuthubutu na kutenda aliyeitwa Okonkwo na wapili akiwa ni mtu mwangalifu anayefikiri madhara ya kila uamuzi anaouchukua aliyeitwa Obierika.

Maudhui ya riwaya hii kwasehemu kubwa yalihusu fikra na majaribio ya kupamabana dhidi ya uonevu, udhalilishaji na dhulma zilizotekelezwa na wakoloni, wamishonari na vibaraka wao katika kitika jamii ya waigbo katika kijiji cha Umofia na Abame. Ili kupata radha halisi nitarejelea mazungumo ya Okonkwo na Obierika kama yalivyorekodiwa katika sura ya 20 ya riwaya hii kama ifuatavyo.

After Okonkwo returns to Umuofia from exile, Obierika visits him and expresses deep concern about the changes brought by the colonial government and Christian missionaries with regards to the hanging of Aneto to death
"It happened like this. Aneto and Oduche had a dispute over a piece of land. It was a matter of boundaries, as often happens between neighbors. According to our custom, they took the case to the elders. But Oduche was a man who knew how to court the favor of the white man(corruption). He went to the white man's court and got a judgment in his favor. When Aneto heard this, he was angry. He went to Oduche's house and they fought. Oduche died from his wounds. Now, in the old days, this would have been a matter for the clan. Aneto would have been required to flee to another village, or perhaps make heavy sacrifices to cleanse the land. But the white man's court did not understand our ways. They arrested Aneto, tried him in their court, and hanged him in Umuru. His family was thrown into prison too because they could not pay the fine the white man imposed. "Tell me, Okonkwo, how can the white man understand our custom about land? He does not even speak our tongue?"

"Okonkwo sat silent for a long while, his chin in his hands. When he spoke at last, it was to ask: "Why did they not take him to Umuofia instead of Umuru?'

Obierika shrugged. "They do as they like. The white man has brought his mad logic to our land."

Okonkwo:"Perhaps I have been away too long. But I cannot understand these things you tell me. What is it that has happened to our people? Why have they lost the power to fight?"

Obierika:"Have you not heard how the white man wiped out Abame?"

Okonkwo:"I have heard something about it. But I have also heard that Abame people were weak and foolish. Why did they not fight back? Had they no guns and machetes?"

Obierika:"They had, but they did not know what to do. A few of them ran away just as you did when you were afraid of the oracle's curse. It is the same now"

Okonkwo(after a pause)"The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.

Obierika"But he says that our customs are bad; and our own brothers who have taken up his religion also say that our customs are bad. How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us? The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won more of our people, and the clan is like a lizard that has fallen from the iroko tree; it can no longer run as it did when it was whole."

Okonkwo:"Then let us fight them. Let us drive them out of our land."

Obierika:"It is already too late," said Obierika sadly. Our own men and sons have joined the ranks of the stranger. They have joined his religion and they help to uphold his government. If we should try to drive out the white men, we would have to fight our own brothers."

Okonkwo: "Let us fight them. I would rather die fighting than watch them take over our land."

Obierika:"You sound as if you doubt the strength of our clan."

Okonkwo:"No! I do not doubt it. But I have seen with my own eyes what the white man's power can do. At Abame..."*

Obierika:"That was a strange disease that killed Abame. The white man did not kill them."

Okonkwo:"Their own brothers brought the disease! The white man's religion divided them just as it is dividing us now!"

Obierika(after a long silence)"What then do you propose we do?"

Okonkwo:"We must prepare. We must gather our warriors. When the time comes, we will strike together."

Katika riwaya hii, msimamo wa Okonkwo katika kusimamia haki zake ulikuwa thabiti kama mwenyewe alivyosema; “If a man comes into my hut and defecates on the floor, what do I do? Do I shut my eyes? No! I take a stick and break his head. That is what a man does.” Lakini msimamo huu ndio uliopelekea mwisho wake.

Katika kupambania uonevu na dhuluma kwenye jamii zetu; ujasiri, uhodari na uthubutu hautoshi. Kuchukua tahadhari sio udhaifu, ni hekima. Katika riwaya ya Things fall apart, Kwakukosa tahadhali Okonkwo, alipelekwa exile, akafungwa, akalipishwa faini na mwisho alipokata tamaa akajiua. Obierika anahitimisha simulizi ya Okonkwo kwa kusema "That man was one of the greatest in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog!"

Baada ya mapigano ya Chaeronea mwaka 338BC dhidi ya vikosi vya Mfalme Philip II wa Macedonia, Demosthenes wa Athene alisema "If we survive, we shall fight again." Huu ndio msingi fikra kwamba unahitajika kuwa hai kwanza, ili uweze kupambane tena kesho.

 

[Detective J]

"Things fall apart" ni moja ya kazi nzuri sana ya fasihi yenye mafunzo kedekede iliyofanywa na Hayati Chinua Achebe. Kwa wahenga wenzangu mtaikumbuka riwaya hii kama mojawapo ya riwaya za kiada kwenye English Literature kwaajiri ya mitihani ya kidato cha nne.

Kwafaida ya wasioifahamu riwaya hii ni simulizi inayohusu jamii ya waigbo wa vijiji cha Umofia, Abame na Mbata yenye wahusika wakubwa wawili, mmoja akiwa ni mtu jasiri na hodari aliyeamini katika kuthubutu na kutenda aliyeitwa Okonkwo na wapili akiwa ni mtu mwangalifu anayefikiri madhara ya kila uamuzi anaouchukua aliyeitwa Obierika.

Maudhui ya riwaya hii kwasehemu kubwa yalifusu fikra na majaribio ya kupamabana dhidi ya uonevu, udhalilishaji na dhulma zilizotekelezwa na wakoloni, wamishonari na vibaraka wao katika kitika jamii ya waigbo katika kijiji cha Umofia na Abame. Ili kupata radha halisi nitarejelea mazungumo ya Okonkwo na Obierika kama yalivyorekodiwa katika sura ya 20 ya riwaya hii kama ifuatavyo.

After Okonkwo returns to Umuofia from exile, Obierika visits him and expresses deep concern about the changes brought by the colonial government and Christian missionaries with regards to the hanging of Aneto to death
"It happened like this. Aneto and Oduche had a dispute over a piece of land. It was a matter of boundaries, as often happens between neighbors. According to our custom, they took the case to the elders. But Oduche was a man who knew how to court the favor of the white man(corruption). He went to the white man's court and got a judgment in his favor. When Aneto heard this, he was angry. He went to Oduche's house and they fought. Oduche died from his wounds. Now, in the old days, this would have been a matter for the clan. Aneto would have been required to flee to another village, or perhaps make heavy sacrifices to cleanse the land. But the white man's court did not understand our ways. They arrested Aneto, tried him in their court, and hanged him in Umuru. His family was thrown into prison too because they could not pay the fine the white man imposed. "Tell me, Okonkwo, how can the white man understand our custom about land? He does not even speak our tongue. He has put his knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart."

"Okonkwo sat silent for a long while, his chin in his hands. When he spoke at last, it was to ask: "Why did they not take him to Umuofia instead of Umuru?'

Obierika shrugged. "They do as they like. The white man has brought his mad logic to our land."

Okonkwo:"Perhaps I have been away too long. But I cannot understand these things you tell me. What is it that has happened to our people? Why have they lost the power to fight?"

Obierika:"Have you not heard how the white man wiped out Abame?"

Okonkwo:"I have heard something about it. But I have also heard that Abame people were weak and foolish. Why did they not fight back? Had they no guns and machetes?"

Obierika:"They had, but they did not know what to do. A few of them ran away—just as you did when you were afraid of the oracle's curse. It is the same now. The white man has put a knife on the things that held us together, and we have fallen apart."

Okonkwoafter a pause)"The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.

Obierika"But he says that our customs are bad; and our own brothers who have taken up his religion also say that our customs are bad. How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us? The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won more of our people, and the clan is like a lizard that has fallen from the iroko tree; it can no longer run as it did when it was whole."

Okonkwo:"Then let us fight them. Let us drive them out of our land."

Obierika:"How do you think we can fight when our own brothers have turned against us? The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won more of our people, and the clan is like a lizard that has fallen from the iroko tree; it can no longer run as it did when it was whole."

Okonkwo:"Then let us fight them. Let us drive them out of our land."

Obierika:"It is already too late," said Obierika sadly. Our own men and sons have joined the ranks of the stranger. They have joined his religion and they help to uphold his government. If we should try to drive out the white men, we would have to fight our own brothers."

Okonkwo: "Let us fight them. I would rather die fighting than watch them take over our land."

Obierika:"You sound as if you doubt the strength of our clan."

Okonkwo:"No! I do not doubt it. But I have seen with my own eyes what the white man's power can do. At Abame..."*

Obierika:"That was a strange disease that killed Abame. The white man did not kill them."

Okonkwo:"Their own brothers brought the disease! The white man's religion divided them just as it is dividing us now!"

Obierika(after a long silence)"What then do you propose we do?"

Okonkwo:"We must prepare. We must gather our warriors. When the time comes, we will strike together."

Katika riwaya hii, msimamo wa Okonkwo katika kusimamia haki zake ulikuwa thabiti kama mwenyewe alivyosema; “If a man comes into my hut and defecates on the floor, what do I do? Do I shut my eyes? No! I take a stick and break his head. That is what a man does.” Lakini msimamo huu ndio uliopelekea mwisho wake.

Katika kupambania uonevu na dhuluma kwenye jamii zetu; ujasiri, uhodari na uthubutu hautoshi. Kuchukua tahadhari sio udhaifu, ni hekima. Katika riwaya ya Things fall apart, Kwakukosa tafadhali Okonkwo, alipelekwa exile, akafungwa, akalipishwa faini na mwisho alipokata tamaa akajiua. Obierika anahitimisha simulizi ya Okonkwo kwa kusema "That man was one of the greatest in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog!"

Baada ya mapigano ya Chaeronea mwaka 338BC dhidi ya vikosi vya Mfalme Philip II wa Macedonia, Demosthenes wa Athene alisema "If we survive, we shall fight again." Huu ndio msingi fikra kwamba unahitajika kuwa hai, ili uweze kupambane tena kesho.

Alsthough si mwanachama or mshabiki wa hiko chama
Lakini nadhani kuna mitazamo tofauti kuhusu mbinu bora za kupambana na uonevu na dhuluma. Wakati ujasiri na uthubutu wa Okonkwo ni sifa zinazovutia, riwaya inaonyesha wazi kuwa msimamo wake usioyumba ulimpelekea kwenye matokeo mabaya.
Obierika, kwa upande mwingine, anaonyesha umuhimu wa kuwa na akili na kuangalia matokeo ya muda mrefu. Kauli yake kwamba "ni kuchelewa mno" inaashiria kuwa wakati mwingine, mbinu za nguvu zinaweza zisiwe suluhisho bora, hasa pale adui anapokuwa na nguvu kubwa au amefanikiwa kuwagawanya watu.
Maneno ya Demosthenes "If we survive, we shall fight again" yana umuhimu wake, lakini wakati mwingine, kuishi kunahitaji zaidi ya kupigana tu. Kunahitaji busara, diplomasia, na uwezo wa kubadilika kulingana na mazingira.
Hivyo, ingawa "Things Fall Apart" inaonyesha ujasiri wa Okonkwo, pia inatufundisha kuwa kupambana na uonevu kunahitaji zaidi ya nguvu; kunahitaji hekima ya Obierika ya kutambua hali halisi na kuchagua mbinu sahihi. Sio kila wakati kupigana moja kwa moja ndio njia pekee au bora ya kukabiliana na dhuluma.

 

[mgunga pori]

Nice reasoning

 

[Sexless]

You have a hidden agenda buddy. You have brought this fictional story so that you can plant fear to those who are fearless.

Remember, a broad smile does not chase a snake from the house. Let those who are prepared for a fight against injustice continue doing it regardless of the consequences.

Obierikas and yesmen continue boozing alcohol and fornicating, you will join us when celebrating the victory.

 

[Dr Adam Francis]

Alsthough si mwanachama or mshabiki wa hiko chama
Lakini nadhani kuna mitazamo tofauti kuhusu mbinu bora za kupambana na uonevu na dhuluma. Wakati ujasiri na uthubutu wa Okonkwo ni sifa zinazovutia, riwaya inaonyesha wazi kuwa msimamo wake usioyumba ulimpelekea kwenye matokeo mabaya.
Obierika, kwa upande mwingine, anaonyesha umuhimu wa kuwa na akili na kuangalia matokeo ya muda mrefu. Kauli yake kwamba "ni kuchelewa mno" inaashiria kuwa wakati mwingine, mbinu za nguvu zinaweza zisiwe suluhisho bora, hasa pale adui anapokuwa na nguvu kubwa au amefanikiwa kuwagawanya watu.
Maneno ya Demosthenes "If we survive, we shall fight again" yana umuhimu wake, lakini wakati mwingine, kuishi kunahitaji zaidi ya kupigana tu. Kunahitaji busara, diplomasia, na uwezo wa kubadilika kulingana na mazingira.
Hivyo, ingawa "Things Fall Apart" inaonyesha ujasiri wa Okonkwo, pia inatufundisha kuwa kupambana na uonevu kunahitaji zaidi ya nguvu; kunahitaji hekima ya Obierika ya kutambua hali halisi na kuchagua mbinu sahihi. Sio kila wakati kupigana moja kwa moja ndio njia pekee au bora ya kukabiliana na dhuluma.

Nimeupenda uchambuzi wako! Blind optimism is dangerous. Let it be our motto; "If we survive, we shall fight again"

 

[Dr Adam Francis]

You have a hidden agenda buddy. You have brought this fictional story so that you can plant fear to those who are fearless.

Remember, a broad smile does not chase a snake from the house. Let those who are prepared for a fight against injustice continue doing it regardless of the consequences.

Obierikas and yesmen continue boozing alcohol and fornicating, you join will us when celebrating the victory.

I advice you to read the book namely "The art of war." It is a known fact that He will win he who knows when not to fight. Blind optimism is dangerous. It take you to be alive to continue fighting. The wise men say "If we survive, we shall fight again"

 

[Sexless]

advice you to read the book namely "The art of war."

I take your advice, but don't think that it will change my stance. It is only the hearts of cowards which race uncontrollably when prowling the battle field.