Bound to Tradition, a Book Release by Akinyi Princess of K’Orinda-Yimbo

International Tue 09-11-2010

Bound to Tradition, a Book Release by Akinyi Princess of K’Orinda-Yimbo
By C. N. Coolidge

Bound to Tradition is a literary African novel by a most promising African woman writer, Akinyi Princess of K’Orinda-Yimbo (her nonfiction Darkest Europe and Africa’s Nightmare: A Critical Observation of Neighboring Continents was acclaimed in literary circles as “Book of the Millennium” in 2008).

Bound to tradition by Akinyi Princess of K'orinda Yimbo The story takes place between 1952 and 1978. Bound To Tradition (BTT) is an unabridged version of the German translation that was published by Droemer-Knaur.

I loved the poignant style and picturesque dialogue – African/Luo as well as contemporary. This is a feat that only an accomplished writer can achieve so effortlessly without leaving the reader in doubt of what is meant. One is not only eagerly, glued to the pages, a smile on the lips and a tear in the eye but also transported to another realm of humanity.

I’ve attended her readings to schoolchildren, women’s groups and the public in general at exhibitions. The princess could do a whole hour without the kids fidgeting. The adults want her to continue reading even after the break before discussions. Awesome!

Then kids and grownups alike ply her with questions on Africa, Kenya, Luos and the characters in the novel. The author admits that there are autobiographical elements in the novel – BTT being the first volume of a trilogy.

There is something of a political statement in the book, but only in the arena of the human factor and cultural diversities. Fiction that serves to prove a point requires a skilful narrator, or it risks becoming tedious. The princess is such a narrator. Her talents as a writer are good enough to bring this readable novel to fruition.

The plot is believable and thought-provoking. The bad guys are “bad” and the good guys are “good”, but always with that cultural diversity that is recognisable as a traditional mindset or even naiveté in all the characters. Here, what’s good for the gander is not automatically good for the goose. This makes the characters globally likeable and real. It could be any two diverse cultures clashing.

Take the scene from Khira’s visit to a gynaecologist up in cool Sweden:

In the consulting room she was undressed and helped onto this funny bed. A moment later, to her utter horror, a man walked in.
   "Goodday, Mrs Lindqvist. I'm Dr Carlsson."
   She didn't shake the offered hand nor return the greeting.
   Instead she whispered hoarsely to one of the nurses, "What's this man doing here?"
   "This is Dr Carlsson, Mrs Lindqvist," the nurse smiled, stroking her cheek as if she was a pet.
   "I didn't come here to see Dr Carlsson, I came here to see a gynaecologist!" she whispered again even more hoarsely, in anger.
   "Dr Carlsson is the gynaecologist, Mrs Lindqvist" said the nurse.
   ????!!!!
   She hissed again in her hoarse whisper, "My dear nurse, what’s the matter with you? Are you blind or are you crazy? Dr Carlsson is a man!"
          She was humiliated beyond her comprehension. She felt like a helpless victim of some savage tribe's grotesque rituals, laid out and held on an altar of some evil gods, being defiled for them, a pregnant sacrifice.

The heroine Khira is a sympathetic young woman very representative of young Africans who try to run away from their traditions and bump into modernity, yet bounce back to who they truly are. One’s tradition and cultures, so the message, cannot be shade off completely. Rather, one is best advised to be a chameleon and blend in with the reigning environment while remaining in essence the creature one is deep in the core. Khira is a heroine all or most young Africans will easily sympathise and identify with.

But there will be those who will shake their heads in disapproval or disbelief. Like Khira’s acceptance of her husband’s sexual dalliances – “A man may do what he likes in this respect; he’s only a man!” As opposed to women who are “deities” guarding the planet, upholding the morals of humankind.

This is a book with the message on the passenger seat while the story does the driving, the steering. I highly recommend it. Ideal as a (Christmas) present for families, friends and relatives.

Posted By: Maggie Otieno

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Your Comments

Hyacinth: Would love to read this book, but can't seem to get in in Amazon. Where can I get it from? Thanks in advance and mostly thanks for introducing it to me.

Harri: Hi Hyacinth, The best way to get the book is to order directly from the Princess' website. www.akinyi-princess.de. I ordered 5 copies and received them autgraphed witin 48 hours. But then, I live within the European Union, so it was fast indeed. Good luck, gotta get back to my un-put-downable copy! Harriete

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