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Rural Issues in Ngugi's The Black Hermit
Rural Issues in Ngugi's The Black Hermit
RESEARCH ARTICLE
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the rural issues in Ngugi's play, The Black
Hermit. It aimed at finding out the rural issues of African countries reflected by
Ngugi and to propose some solutions. Following the descriptive, analytic and
comparative approach, The Black Hermit has been discussed, rationally
analyzed and compared to the Sudanese situation in term of rural issues. The
findings have shown that there are many African rural issues that have been
reflected by Ngugi such as: the weakness of education, suffering of the rural
women, rural youth migration and the spread of tribalism and racism. The
main causes of the issues are: distance of schools from the residence of
students, shortage of teachers, textbooks, and unhealthy educational
environment, the weak role played by the rural men and migration of men in
general, the weakness of development in rural areas, economic pressures on
youth and the spread of civil wars in rural areas. The findings also reveal that
the issues mentioned above exist in many African countries, including Kenya
and Sudan. The main solutions are: comprehensive African rural development,
activating the role of the rural men, reducing the migration of rural youth
through the development of their own areas and promotion of the sense of
nationalism and unity and religious values.
under a government composed of other tribes. The plays of Ngugi in general are applicable
Clearly, instead of a peaceful multi-ethnic nation- to the real life situations. They were all structured to
state, the Maruas want an ethnic polity. (Chakraborty be applicable to the immediate realities. Ngugi said,
2014, 168). Ive always written plays as a result of some kind of
Ngugi also stressed the issue of tribalism and request, so theres always been some kind of
its negative role in the process of development in communal demand for me to present a script
African continent. Muhau (2012) believes that one of (Wilkinson 1992: 124). Cited in Vandersmit (2007)
the most important lessons from The Black Hermit is who believes that Ngugi's plays became theatre in
how deep seated tribalism has stalled development aperiod of social unrest. Each examines the
and created tensions in the African society.Muhau consequences of political events as they have an
(2012) thinks that from tribalism, religious and effect on the lives of members of the community.So,
cultural conflicts to a leadership crisis the play brings it is believed that Ngugis plays have another unique
real life experiences on stage and the players enact quality they can be adapted to suit most Third
the conflicts, tensions and changes in Kenyan society World countries and all of colonized Africa.
which is the microcosm of the situation in many (Vandersmit 2007, 188).
African countries.The problems in 'The Black Hermit' As made obvious in the previous paragraphs,
are real. They were real then and still exist even there are many social, political, economic and
today in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and the rest of cultural issues that are addressed by Ngugi in his
Africa. For example, Ngugi wants to show how badly literary works. Some of these issues are studied and
tribalism and racism have stalled development in discussed by some scholars. In this paper, the
these countries. researcher tries to shed lights to issues of African
Also, tribalism is a deep- rooted problem in rural areas reflected by Ngugi in his play ' The Black
many African countries. Africa suffered and still Hermit'.
suffers from many civil and tribal wars. For instance, METHOD OF THE STUDY
there are many cases of people getting a job based The study adopts the descriptive method
not on their qualifications or competence but tribal for analyzing rural life issues reflected by the Kenyan
orientation. Of course, tribalism and racism create dramatist Ngugi in his play ' The Black Hermit'. The
tension and disunity, so Ngugi wants to fight them. data of the study represent the play itself, which is
They are an obstacle to development because people presented and analyzed rationally. Rational Analysis
waste time, money and energies on things that dont is known to be an important tool in literary
matter at all. As a result of tribalism in the Black researches, for via it the writer's ideas, language and
Hermit people are not united against a system that is style are examined. Hence, the rational analysis to
responsible for their measurable lives.The play right the play is followed with especial focus on the African
is against this situation and through Remi, the rural issues made obvious by the writer.
protagonist of the play the writer calls for turning to As it is underlined by Al-Samawi (2000), in
heart and mind to create a nation, then will tribe and literary context rational analysis is generally
race disappear. (Muhau, 2012). performed on the basis of social norms and literary
Muhau (2012), in addition, believes that the norms. Yet, social norms are concerned with social
playwright wants the audience to understand that aspects, such as social conducts, values, issues and
society is bait only if people are responsible. morals. The main source of the data in these studies
Responsibility is one of the main lessons in the play. is the printed materials (the literary works
Ngugi also shows this through Remi who runs away themselves). Sometimes, such analysis is done on
from taking care of widowed mother, his wife and cultural and social bases, where the researcher
village. He is only well educated man in the village analyzes the works of people from one culture on the
and everyone has his/her hope in him for political basis of the social aspects and values of another
and religious leadership; but he tries to escape. He culture and arrives at specific conclusions.
fails and that is the whole tragedy that unfolds.
In this consideration, Robert (1978) believes educated man in all the land, exceeding in knowledge
that the aim of literary analysis is to address the all the people, black and white put together". (The
writers' insights into the problems of life, and Black Hermit, Act 1, Scene 1, p.9). This issue is
underline the various aspects of their skill. "Analyzing exemplified also in many other places in the play.
a work is a means toward appreciation and One more example is Remi's words to his friend
evaluation, not an end in itself. It is an honest Omange in the city: "Yes. I had the misfortune of
attempt by you, the reader, to discover the truth being the first in my tribe to reach University. You
about the work and to base your appreciation on know it's a small tribe. Elders listened to my
your own thought and discovery, not on a vaguely voice."(The Black Hermit, Act II, Scene II, p. 31).
aesthetic reaction." (Robert 1978, 7). It is previously made obvious that these rural issues
In this study, the rural issues reflected by will be compared to the real situation in Sudan. So, it
Ngugi in 'The Black Hermit' will first be discussed and can be said that the Sudanese rural life situation
analyzed. Also, the researcher will try to compare resembles to what has been described in the play
these issues with the Sudanese real situation to reach concerning the issue of education weakness in the
to some conclusions. Of course, rural life issues of rural areas of Africa. In this consideration, the World
Sudan are the same in many other African countries. Bank estimates suggest that, on average, 90% of all
So, directly or indirectly the study addresses the rural children in northern Sudan had access to a formal
issues of Africa as whole. school in 2010. However, problems in access to
ANALYSIS OF RURAL ISSUES IN THE BLACK schooling by gender and location persist. Still there
HERMIT are regional disparities in access to education by
This part tries to rationally analyze and children in rural areas, with girls facing the greatest
discuss some of the important African rural life issues disadvantage in terms of access to schooling. The
underlined by Ngugi in is social play ' The Black study stressed that the challenges ahead relate not
Hermit'. The focus will mainly be on three very only to reducing these problems in access, but in
important issues related to African rural life: improving the efficiency of the education system to
Weakness of education, suffering of African rural produce young adults equipped with the skills and
women and the issues of migration of rural youth and knowledge to secure their livelihoods and contribute
its impact on their communities: towards society.(World Bank 2012).
EDUCATION IN AFRICAN RURAL AREAS To researcher's point of view, as one of the Darfur
The issue of education weakness in African citizens spent nearly 20 years in Darfur and more
rural areas is very important issue; because than ten years in Blue Nile state , one observed many
education is the backbone of human development. obstacles and problems faced by pupils/ students of
As indicated by Vandersmit (2007, 234) Ngugi rural areas. Examples of these problems like distance
recognizes education as a necessary qualification for of schools from the residence of students, shortage
advancement. In the Black Hermit, Ngugi of teachers and their incapability because of their low
demonstrated this issue through the protagonist or level education, unhealthy educational environment,
the hero Remi. His role, personality and behavior lay shortage of textbooks, etc. In addition, there are
much stress on the important of education and its many other problems created by the ongoing civil
weakness in African rural areas, including Ngugi's wars. In the case of girls, the situation is much more
own homeland of Kenya. As the only educated man complicated. Just as an example, in Blue Nile's area of
of his tribe to reach the university; Remi is the hope Kdallo which is inhabited by nearly 20,000 citizens I
of his community to solve their problems and found in 2007 that there is only one female graduate!
disparities. Of course, the fact that Remi is the only This is due to some above mentioned problems faced
educated man of the tribe reveals the weakness of by rural citizens.Generally, it can be said that the
education in Kenyan rural areas and Africa as whole. above mentioned problems of education exist in
This issue is clearly echoed by what one of the elders many other rural areas in Sudan especially in the
says to Nyobi: "Remi, your son and ours, is the only terminal areas.
leader and representative in newly created national In addition, the report focused on the impact on
government. Consider the dialogue between Remi youth left behind by migrant parents. As made
and the pastor in the city: " Remi: Go back to the obvious by the UN report, migration and remittances
village, tell the elders this: If they need me, I'll come. have both positive and negative effects on youth left
If you Christians want me, I'll not fail you. If my behind. Traditionally, guiding children through their
mother calls for me, I'll not again disappoint her formative years has been a primary function of
hopesPastor: God bless you my child. Remi: I have parents, and the absence of one or both parents can
been too long a hermit in the city. I'd thought I'd have a serious impact on the psychological,
escape from things that were me- That were part of emotional and social development of boys and girls
my life. I must now rise and go to the country. For I during their childhood and youth. At the same time,
must serve our people, save them from traditions and young people left behind may develop the capacity
bad customs, free them from tribal manacles." (The for independent decision-making as they assume
Black Hermit, Act II, Scene III, p. 44-45). These words greater responsibility for the well-being of the
stress the negative impacts of the migration of youth household at home. Financial transfers from family
to their people and areas. It negatively affects the members living abroad improve the social and
development process, to the life of their families, economic welfare of migrants children when they
people, communities, countries, etc. The migration are used for education, clothing, health care and
though its advantages in general it has negative other basic needs. However, remittances can also
cultural and social effects on immigrants themselves, promote dependency among youth and other
especially if the migration is out of their countries. In household members left behind. Taken together, the
this consideration, UN annual report in (2013) on lack of parental supervision and the availability of
'The impact of youth migration on individuals and what may be seen as discretionary funds may
communities' indicates that the migration affects increase the likelihood that youth left behind will
both the young migrants themselves and those engage in risky behaviours.
young and old persons left behind. It has a direct and All impacts of migration with all its kinds;
often profound impact on migrants and their that have been mentioned by UN report one can
immediate families, but the wider community can be observe them in Sudanese society whether in urban
directly or indirectly affected as well. The report or rural areas. Of course, many African countries face
stresses that the consequences are complex, context- the same situation.
specific and subject to change over time. CONCLUSION
The report also stresses the negative effects As made obvious previously,the study
of international migration on places of origin. The attempted to find out the rural life issues of African
report underlined that the international migration countries reflected by Ngugi's play ' The Black
can improve the social and economic welfare of Hermit', their causes and to find out some possible
young migrants and contributes to greater economic solutions to the above mentioned issues. So, based
efficiency in receiving countries. However, its impact on the analysis of data a number of findings have
on countries of origin tends to be mixed. According been obtained as follow:
to the report, one of the most serious adverse effects There are many rural issues that reflected by
is human capital flight, or brain drain, which deprives Ngugi in his play 'the Black Hermit'. Most prominent
countries of origin of the economic and social of them are: the weakness of education in rural areas
contributions of their best educated and most highly and the weakness of development as whole, the
skilled citizens. The negative impact of brain drain physical and psychological suffering of the rural
migration is particularly evident in the health and women due to the huge pressure and role put on
education sectors of developing countries, as well as them, the issue of rural people including youth
in small developing countries, where the pool of migration and their negative impacts on their
professionals is limited. families, people and areas such as human capital
flight or migration of brain drain,negative
psychological, emotional and social impact of customs and tribal traditions in order to put an end
migration on youth and children left behind by to the rural issues mentioned by the study. Also,
migrant parents and children may engage in risky literature in general can be used as an effective
behaviours due to the lack of parental supervision. medium for social change.
Other important issues discussed in the play are
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development. Also, development of the sense of
nationalism and unity and religious values to reduce
the tribalism and racism.
Based on what has been concluded, the
researcher recommends the following: the African
governments, communities, NGOs and even
international organizations need to cooperate for
realization of comprehensive African rural
development, change of some negative social