What is it that Mwindo wants? How does Mwindo go about getting it and how are others affected by the results?
Mwindo is the son of the king Shemwindo and Nyamwindo, who was the king’s seventh wife. At the time of his birth, the king, Shemwindo had already given a decree that he did not want a son instead he wanted girls. Therefore when the king learnt of his birth, the king wanted to kill him immediately. Funnily enough, the king was not aware that Mwindo was born with some supernatural powers. Therefore when he tried to kill him all his attempts do not turn to be successful therefore Mwindo proves his powers against those of the king, Shemwindo, who was also his dad.
Mwindo wanted to ascend to the kingly throne which his father is seeing as a threat. In his attempts to assent he escapes death through his magic means and seeks the counsel of the aunt, Iyangura. Apart from this he tries his best to advice those who were very close to the king to stop him for they will be disadvantaged more than they may think. This leaves the king helpless. Mwindo also uses the magic means to bring wrath to the city that the king led; this threatens the king so much. In these happenings, Mwindo kills some members’ of the city and other are left astonished with the kind of strange powers he has. Others tend to be convinced that he was sent for a purpose.
Discuss the common themes you found in any three of these tales. How were these stories like and dissimilar from Mwindo?
There is superstition I these tales. The kinds of things that people tend to believe in for instance, how is it possible to fix somebody in a drum and still be alive for all that time? Everywhere that Mwindo moved he already knew people how was this possible that he from nowhere is this familiar with his family this much? From where could he access the forces that could cause much harm to the city like he did?
These tales are full of tradition. The kinds of names that are used in the story are generally community names. They are not names that are known universally, the kind of songs also bring this theme tradition forth.
There is the theme of sacredness or rather supernaturalism. From the way Mwindo do his things it is undoubted that he has supernatural powers.
It is evidenced from these stories are full of fantasies. These are evidenced from the various things that they try to create that are basically not possible. These stories aim at passing to tee society some teachings and ideals in a way that they can understand best.
What did you learn about any aspect of the African culture or mindset?
African culture is uncivilized and uncouth. From whatever they do, it seems that civilization has not found its ways into them. This is also evidenced from the way the setting in which this traditional story is told. It is very pathetic surrounding that do not call for human beings to live for instance, no hospitals, old weapons like the spears are still being used, drums curved from trees. Pathetic!
