'Petal of Blood' by Nagugi Wa Thiongo (Thinking Activity)

This blog is written as part of a task assigned by Megha Ma'am, Department of English (MKBU). This blog is on the novel 'Petals of Blood'. There are two questions that are discussed in this blog related to the novel.

Petals of Blood is a novel written by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and first published in 1977. Set in Kenya just after independence, the story follows four characters – Munira, Abdulla, Wanja, and Karega – whose lives are intertwined due to the Mau Mau rebellion. In order to escape city life, each retreats to the small, pastoral village of Ilmorog. As the novel progresses, the characters deal with the repercussions of the Mau Mau rebellion as well as with a new, rapidly westernizing Kenya.

1) Write a detailed note on history, sexuality, and gender in Ngugi’s Petals of Blood.

Ans.

In the novel we find the theme of history, sexuality and gender. There is historical context of Mao Mao rebellion, that was a protest against the British colonial government. Abdulla is directly connected with Mao Mao rebellion and he also lost his leg in fighting that war. We also find later that the brother of Kimera is also related with that rebellion and has lost his life in that war. Nyakinyua also tells the history of Ilmorog while all the villagers were on the journey to Nairobi.  

The themes of sexuality and gender are connected with Wanja. Wanja has a sexual relations with Munira, Karega and at last Abdull. She was also raped by Kimeria. Traditional role of women is also questioned in the novel. Wanja helped in growing the bar business to Abdulla. She also opens her brothel when financial condition gets worse. She is an independent woman who chooses her husband, who does business, who takes revenge on Kimeria on her own and she makes her own decisions. 

2) How neo-colonialism is represented in the novel ‘Petals of Blood.’

Ans.

The novel gives deep insight into the Neo-colonial impact. As Fanon argues that when colonial power will leave the place the other power will emerge and it will control the new era. That is reflected in the novel ‘Petals of Blood.’ In the novel we find the two sides, on one side there are Wanja, Munira, Karega and Munira. Other side there are businessmen who want to exploit the people and their land. 

In the novel, the setting is post- independent Africa. In which the colonial power has already left the country but there is a new emerging power that is capitalism. It critiques capitalism in education. Kimeria is an industrialist who exploits the people of the village. He blackmails Wanja for having sexual relations with him. He takes away the land of Nyakunya. Chui and Mzigo are the educationists, who turn into businessmen, that show the influence of the neo-colonial world. 

With the growth of Thengeta drink and rise of tourism, the farmers started attracted towards the business rather than doing farming that show the high rise of capitalism that comes with neo-colonial power.

Reference:

Ngũgĩ wa Thiongʼo. Petals of Blood. Vintage Classics, 2018.