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Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: May the proceedings of this tribunal begin...

      

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.
“May the proceedings of this tribunal begin and may God save the King.” intoned the DO. The twins looked at him with
interest. He waears and the tip of his long nose. His hair was an amazing yellow and wonder of wonders hid eyes were blue. Nevertheless he was
human and spoke with a human if strange voice - rather resonant with an unusual timbre, somewhat harsh to the ear.
“Great chief. I am a widow. My husband was the chief of Sakwa. We had two sons. The first one who would have
been chief died in the big war of the white people. His brother also died accidentally soon after taking over the chief?s stool. He left
one child, a son who is but a toddler. For this reason my late husband?s brother has taken over the chief?s stool supposedly in
custody for my grandson. However it has become clear that he has no intention of relinquishing that seat; what is more he has grabbed
all his brother?s wealth and is now at war with me, trying to grab my own personal wealth as well. He feels that being a woman I
deserve nothing. Now if this is allowed to happen, what will my grandson use to pay the brideprice and reclaim the chief?s
stool? May Were, God of the rising sun (the interpreter translated that simply as God) give his wisdom to you so that you can decide
this matter fairly. Thank you.” She sat down.
The DO was lost in thought for a few minutes. He had lived in this part of the country since the end of the war and he
was well aware how deeply these people were steeped in their tradition - they called it Chik. Chik governed every aspect of
the life of the people. It was the glue which held the people together, thus preventing disintegration of the fabric of society
and chaos. Without Chik to tell each person where he fitted in the exact order of things, where he came from and where he
could expect to go, there would be confusion and apprehension. Very few rebelled and were outcast, cut off from the people
like a branch from a tree. The majority were glad to avail themselves of the surety it offered; to do and to be done by.
According to Chik the brother should have married his brother?s widow and become guardian of the grandson and
custodian not owner of the chief?s stool. Animosity must run very deep in that family for this not to have been done. He cleared
his throat and spoke.
“This is a very deep and serious matter which cannot be decided in one sitting. May a team be dispatched to the village to
further investigate this matter. Then the woman may bring her appeal in three months to the visiting District Commissioner. Next
case.”
Akoko and her nephews left the tribunal and went back to their benefactor?s home. They discussed the DO?s decision. “You
mean there is a bigger white chief than this diyo?” Odongo asked.
“Looks like it,” replied the twins.
“Don?t you think he should have decided? Aunts? case is after all so s actually white - not cloud white, but an indefinable translucent colour with spots of red on the cheeks, theAkoko and her nephews left the tribunal and went back to their benefactor?s home. They discussed the DO?s decision. “You
mean there is a bigger white chief than this diyo?” Odongo asked.
“Looks like it,” replied the twins.
“Don?t you think he should have decided? Aunts? case is after all so clear.”
“May be he should have taken a longer time to think.”
“He probably does not understand the way of Chik. After all he is white.”
“My sons,” said Akoko. “Do not decide the wisdom of a man by the brevity of his quiet or the multitude of his words. It is only
a wise man who can decide quickly that he doesn?t know and needs to seek more knowledge. A fool knows everything. It is
only a wise man who does not hide his folly behind many words. I think this Diyo will help me.”
Questions
a. What had happened before this extract? (3 marks)

b. What did the boys find wondrous about the DO? (1 mark)

c. In note form outline the traditional practices of the community in this excerpt. (5 marks)

d. Apart from traditions which other three themes are evident in this excerpt? (6 marks)

e. Identify and illustrate two stylistic devices employed in this extract. (4 marks)

f. Akoko tells her nephews that she thinks this 'Diyo' will help her. How does this happen later in the story. (4 marks)

g. 'I think this Diyo will help me,'
(Rewrite the sentence and add a question tag) (1 mark)

h. What is the name of the benefactor mentioned in the extract?

  

Answers

Martin
(a) - Akoko had set out to go to Kisuma to seek the D.O?s intervention over her brother-in-law?s
mistreatment of her after her husband's death.

- On reaching Kisuma they are met by a kinsman who hosts them in his house for the night so that
he can take them to the D.Os office the following day.

- The two young men, Apiyo and Adongo accompanying her to Kisuma are mesmerized by all
they see in Kisuma especially the clerk's dressing.

- After lodging their complains they were asked to return in three days when they meet the big
white chief, the DO, the tribunal and an interpreter. (Any 3x1 = 3 marks)

(b) That his eyes were blue '

(c) - They practice hereditary chiefdom

- In case the heir is a child a custodian of the chief's stool is chosen until the child comes of age

- Women shouldn't own material

- They pay bride price in marriage

- It's a taboo to go against Chik / traditions

- A brother should inherit his brother's widow

- Answer must be in point form if not deduct ½ m from the total

(d) - Colonialism - He was actually white……

- Death - Akoko is a widow .
- She lost her two sons to death
- Suffering - Akoko suffers in the hands of her brother-in-law
- Religion - Were, god of the rising sun

(e) - Dialogue - 'looks like it'
- Proverbs / sayings - it is only a wise man who can decide quickly that he doesn't know and
needs to seek more knowledge.
- Metaphor - Chik is the glue which held the people together.

(f) - Within 12 days after they left, the DO sent messengers to Sakwa to investigate on the case.

- Three months later the DO sent a messenger and two askaris to escort her to Kisuma to make the
appeal before the DC - After Akoko convinced the tribunal that an injustice was committed, a contingent of askaris were
sent to village to forcibly remove the chief.
- Otieno was meant to return all that he had grabbed from his sister-in-law.
- A council of elders was appointed to rule on behalf of her grandchild until he came of his age.

(g) I think this Diyo will help me, won't he?
(h) Otuoma
marto answered the question on April 4, 2019 at 12:12

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