Steven Chung--Outside Reading Blog 1

For my RSTD 212 class (Religions of the West) I was required to read and write a critique of the book, The River Between. I found that some parts of the story relate to some topics we have covered in our class. In one part of the book, Waiyaki, the main character in the story, was led by his father into the sacred grove. At this location, Chege, Waiyaki's father, informed his son about the origins of the land and his tribe, and about the sacred prophecy. As Chege and his son approached the Mugomo tree and the mysterious bush around it, he told his son, "that is a blessed and sacred place" (Thiong' o 18). That place was sacred because it stood out from any ordinary place. It was a special location that possessed meaning and significance. Other people may see the tree just as on ordinary tree, but to them, that was where Mumbi's feet stood, who was a parent of their tribe. This is why it could have been sacred to Chege, but now that place had become a sacred location for Waiyaki because that is where he learned of the ancient prophecy and his ultimate duty. He would never forget that place or that day, and he even returns to the sacred grove later in the book when he searches for guidance and wisdom before he would be put on trial in front of his people.

This portion of the book caught my eye as I was reading it because I noticed the importance of sacred place in their tribe and I saw the connection it had with our class.