The Old Man and the MedalWriting in French in the 1950s, Ferdinand Léopold Oyono (1929–2010) had
only a brief literary career, but his anticolonialist novels are
considered classics of twentieth-century African literature. Like
Oyono’s Houseboy, also available from Waveland Press, this novel
fiercely satirizes the false pretenses of European colonial rule in
Africa. Meka, a village elder, has always been loyal to the white man.
It is with pride that he first hears he is to receive a medal. While
waiting for the ceremony, however, Meka’s pride gives way to skepticism.
At the same time, his wife has realized that the medal is being given
to her husband as compensation for the sacrifices they have made. The
events following the ceremony confirm Meka’s new estimation of the white
man. Both subtle and oftentimes humorous, this beautifully told story
lays bare the hollowness of the mission in Africa. It fuels
opportunities for discussing colonial politics around class and race as
well as for exploring indigenous Cameroon life and values. |
