num_pages: 4
description: In four beautifully woven parts Mukasonga spins a marvelous recounting of the clash between ancient Rwandan beliefs and the missionaries determined to replace them with European Christianity.When a rogue priest is defrocked for fusing the gospels with the martyrdom of Kibogo a fierce clash of cults ensues. Swirling with the heady smell of wet earth and flashes of acerbic humor Mukasonga brings to life the vital mythologies that imbue the Rwandan spirit. In doing so she gives us a tale of disarming simplicity and profound universal truth.Kibogo's story is reserved for the evening's end when women sit around a fire drinking honeyed brew when just a few are able to stave off sleep. With heads nodding drifting into the mist of a dream one faithful storyteller will weave the old legends of the hillside stories which church missionaries have done everything in their power to expunge.To some Kibogo's tale is founding myth celestial marvel magic incantation bottomless source of hope. To white priests spritzing holy water on shriveled drought-ridden trees it looms like red fog over the village: forbidden satanic a witchdoctor's hoax. All debate the twisted roots of this story but deep down all secretly wonder--can Kibogo really summon the rain?Runtime: 3. 91 hours 4 audio CDs
language: English
title: Kibogo
publisher: Blackstone Publishing