The Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda
Comagu, the central character in The Heart of Redness, returns to Johannesburg after living some decades in America. Frustrated by the bureaucracy and the politics that prevent him from obtaining work suited to his qualifications, he is on the point of returning to America when he is diverted by an alluring woman and, hoping to find her, goes instead to Qolorha, a village on the Eastern Cape. The village is divided between "believers," those adhering to traditional tribal values, and "unbelievers," those eager to embrace contemporary white civilization. The division stems from a nineteenth century struggle. At a time when cattle were dying from lungsickness, thought to have been introduced by the English, a prophetess, Nongqawuse, told the people to kill their cattle and destroy their crops, saying that if they did so, the ancestors would rise from the sea, bringing new disease-free cattle, and drive the English into the sea. Some people--the believers--followed her instructions and waited for the miracle, but others--the unbelievers--did not. When Comagu arrives, the present-day descendants of the believers and the unbelievers are divided over the question whether Qolorha should be the site of a glamorous new gambling casino and amusement park.
Comagu becomes involved in the dispute, but his life is further complicated by his involvement with two women. One is Xoliswa Ximiya, the principal of the local secondary school and the daughter of Bronco, one of the prominent unbelievers. She is embraces the new white civilization and speaks contemptuously of the traditional costumes worn by some in the village (the costume may include decoration of the body with red ochre, which is made to represent conservative or traditional values--the "redness" of the title). Comagu and Xoliswa Ximiya become friends, not lovers, but before long the villagers assume that they are engaged. The other woman is Qukezwa, daughter of Zim, a believer. She is younger, more mysterious, and to Comagu, in the end, more enticing.
The Heart of Redness is an intricate and fascinating book, shifting seamlessly back and forth between the present day and the historical events surrounding Nongqawuse's prophecy. I recommend it highly.
Comagu becomes involved in the dispute, but his life is further complicated by his involvement with two women. One is Xoliswa Ximiya, the principal of the local secondary school and the daughter of Bronco, one of the prominent unbelievers. She is embraces the new white civilization and speaks contemptuously of the traditional costumes worn by some in the village (the costume may include decoration of the body with red ochre, which is made to represent conservative or traditional values--the "redness" of the title). Comagu and Xoliswa Ximiya become friends, not lovers, but before long the villagers assume that they are engaged. The other woman is Qukezwa, daughter of Zim, a believer. She is younger, more mysterious, and to Comagu, in the end, more enticing.
The Heart of Redness is an intricate and fascinating book, shifting seamlessly back and forth between the present day and the historical events surrounding Nongqawuse's prophecy. I recommend it highly.