Nyawiras as communal liberators: Accounting for life preservation roles among African women
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Date
2023
Authors
Gathogo, Julius M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
hts
Abstract
In his book, Wizard of the Crow (2007), the renowned Kenyan novelist, Ngugi wa Thiong’o,
expresses the view that a successful society is only guaranteed when women issues are well
settled. In light of post-colonial Africa and the era of COVID-19, African women – like the
biblical Miriam, the co-liberator with Moses and Aaron (Mi 6:4) – are seen as Nyawiras (plural
for Nyawira, the hardworking woman), as their critical role in preserving the family and
society is evident. While relying on a critical review of wa Thiong’o’s works and in engaging
a selected religio-cultural literature, the article seeks to explore the role of African women
[Nyawiras] in societal sustenance. With postcolonial Africa encountering a hotchpotch of
challenges, are Nyawiras the best suited persons to deconstruct the status quo and eventually
reconstruct the ‘sick’ society under greedy-grabbing male-leaders of nation-states (Aburirias)
that have lost their moral compasses? Are women best suited to bring back sanity; and have
they crossed the Rubicon in the 21st century? In drawing from diverse examples from Africa
and beyond, the research article will be significant in helping the modern African society
understand the myriad of problems they are facing in the local and global scene, and
eventually appraise women’s heroine roles.
Contribution: This research uses a multi-disciplinary approach and engages a dialogue
between African literature and Africa’s religio-cultural discourses in order to better understand
the complex situation facing Africa.
Description
article
Keywords
African indigenous knowledge, COVID-19, Miriam, Moses, liberation, Nyawiras (African-women), Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Rubicon
Citation
Gathogo, J.M., 2023, ‘Nyawiras as communal liberators: Accounting for life preservation roles among African women’, HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 79(3), a8745. https://doi. org/10.4102/hts.v79i3.8745