Category: Adults, Historical Fiction
Language: EnglishKeywords: Africa African Literature France Mythology Religion Rwanda
Written by Scholastique Mukasonga, Mark Polizzotti (Translator)
Read by Akrosia Samson
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged
Finalist for the National Book Award for Translated Literature
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.
Kibogoâs story is reserved for the eveningâs 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, Kibogoâs 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 witchdoctorâs hoax. All debate the twisted roots of this story, but deep down, all secretly wonderâcan Kibogo really summon the rain?
Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 10-18-22
Finalist for the National Book Award for Translated Literature
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.
Kibogoâs story is reserved for the eveningâs 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, Kibogoâs 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 witchdoctorâs hoax. All debate the twisted roots of this story, but deep down, all secretly wonderâcan Kibogo really summon the rain?
Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 10-18-22