The Old Man and the MedalLike Ferdinand Oyono's Houseboy, this book fiercely satirises the colonial situation through the eyes of Africans. Meka, an old village 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 scepticism, so that the dominant thought is how long he must wait before he can relieve himself. At the same time his wife has realised that this 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. |
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African Agatha Amalia arms asked assegai bamboo banana basket began to laugh Binama brother-in-law buttocks called Chinua Achebe cloth Commandant Commandant's Community Centre constable courtyard Cyprian Ekwensi Djoltan door Doum drink Ebogo Engamba Essomba eyes face feet Ferdinand Oyono foot Fouconi front Gaulle gave glass goat going Gullet hand head heard heels High Commissioner husband interpreter jacket John Munonye Kelara kola nut laughter leant legs lips looked Lord Mammy Titi Mbella Sonne Dipoko Mbogsi medal Meka began Meka felt Meka's Mongo Beti morning mouth Mvema Mvondô neighbour never night Nkolo palm palm wine Pipiniakis pith-helmet pulled pushed raffia round sergeant shoes shook shoulder shouted silence sitting sleep smile someone stood stretched Taban lo Liyong talk tell thought told tomorrow took trousers turned Ulli Beier veranda village voice waiting walked wife wine woman zazou Zourian