THE SWAHILI NOVEL "UTENGANO" IS A CLASSIC PICTURE OF THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN. BY DR.MOKAYA ONSASE
UTENGANO IS THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN. By Dr.Mokaya Onsase The Swahili novel Utengano 'UTENGANO' is a novel that widely addresses social issues like divorce, plight of women in the society, male chauvinism, politics and forgiveness. Its uniqueness lies on how Said A. Mohamed uses language easily, simply and figuratively. Kazija, a mistress to the rich politician and businessman, Bwana Maksuudi, plots to antagonize Maksuudi and his son, Mussa. She succeeds when she invites both father and son in the house. Maksuudi and Mussa fight, leading to their separation. Kazija does these to avenge her friend's daughter, Biti Sururu, Bi. Farashuu's daughter. Maksuudi had once married her daughter, battered and divorced her later, making her end up poor and helpless, drunkard and later dies. Shoka and James, are two characters used to express how the poor folks work so hard to earn a living, but instead of using their income to make change in their lives, they indulge in ...