What did the people do to end the drought?
Petals of Blood is a notable literary work by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Petals of Blood.
Answer
What did the people do to end the drought?
In the novel “Petals of Blood” (1977) by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (1938-Present), the people of Ilmorog take several actions to try to end the drought that is devastating their village. Here are the key steps they take:
Villagers’ Suffering: The people of Ilmorog suffer from heavy drought. There is no prospect of rain and a good harvest. Their food supplies almost run out, and their cows, goats, and sheep have become mere skeletons. Although the school remains open, the students’ response is not satisfactory.
Traditional Rituals and Sacrifices: In a meeting of the village elders, the members almost decide that Abdulla’s donkey must die to end the drought. They think that this donkey is a bad omen and is responsible for the drought. However, Munira, Karega-and Wanja take a stand against this decision because it is the only income source of Abdulla. In this regard, Karega takes the most prominent role. He argues that a donkey does not influence the weather. Instead, the drought is the result of the law of nature. He also proposes to form a representative team of the people.
Journey to the City: When the traditional methods fail, a group of villagers, led by the protagonists Munira, Karega, Wanja, and Abdullah, decide to undertake a long and arduous journey to the city of Nairobi. Their goal is to seek assistance from the government and the modern institutions of power. This delegation will go to Nairobi to meet their MP Nderi wa Riera, and tell him about their current hardship. Karega’s strong and practical argument convinces the elders. People become imbued with new hope. They then begin to make preparations for their journey to the city.
We went on a journey to the city to save Ilmorog from the Drought. We brought back spiritual drought from the city!
Raising Awareness: Through their journey and interactions with the city’s media and influential people, they managed to raise awareness about the severe drought and the dire situation in Ilmorog. This public attention eventually leads to some form of intervention and aid for their village.
The journey to the city and the subsequent actions taken by the villagers symbolize a broader struggle against the socio-political and economic challenges faced by the rural communities in post-colonial Kenya. The novel uses this narrative to critique the government’s neglect and the impact of modernization on traditional lifestyles.