Title: For want of a totem
First published: 1997
Description: This is a must read for all those that are concerned about Postcolonial writings in Southern Africa and also Feminism and patriarchal issues. It deals with the fracturing of the traditoinal belief of each person belonging to a totem. (Zimbabwean traditional belief) In Zimbabwe then and still now, one cannot envisage bringing up a child whose totem is unknown (even if the child is one's own) let alone bring up a total stranger whose totem is unknown and upon whom you cannot ascribe a totem yet this childless couple fracture that boundary and face the wrath of the community, from the educated, the affluent and the religious alike. It is written in very interesting and accessible language. For more and deeper analysis, please contact me on hezmhunduru@yahoo.com
Places: Harare
Time periods: In the late 70s in Zimbabwe; postcolonial era but pre-independence
LC classification: MLCS 98/01227 (P)