THE RIVER AND THE SOURCE

1. ‘The River and the Source: Margaret A. Ogolla. “In the traditional Africa Society, women suffer the effects of gender discrimination.” Using illustrations from, The River and The Source, validate the statement. (20marks)
Answer:
− Gender discrimination occurs when men show bias against members of the opposite sex. Women heroes in the novel have to struggle since the society treats them as lesser beings.
− Male chauvinism is seen when chief Odero Gogni contemplates “another rock for his sling since Akoko cried with a lot of gusto. Men do not recognize girls because they are passers-by unlike boys who stand for family continuity. Chief Odero Gogni has to disguise his love for Akoko because such love is unseemly.
− The society has low attitude towards girls. It does not consider important to seek for their opinion on their own marriages.
− Chief Odero with his sons turns away many suitors before they settle on chief Kembo. Details on marriage, bride price are settled in bride’s absence .She is only called in when the most critical issues have been dispensed with. She leaves soon after she has been introduced to her husband. Akoko chooses a husband for Nyabera.
− A man owns a woman’s “body and soul.” Akoko is scandalized when threatens to leave her husband.
− Otieno is bitter that his brother chief Kembo had never beaten his wife .Akoko describes relationship between husbands and their wives like that of cats and dogs or like the one between ravens and chicken. Akoko is grateful for her husband since he treated her well.
− Otieno grabs Akoko’s wealth soon after her husband dies. Believes that a woman does not deserve any wealth. Akoko felt the weight of injustice that women had felt in a male dominated world.
− It is a waste of time a girl to become educated. Her sole objective of existence being married and bringing up of children. Awiti ploughs her way through school despite difficulties encountered. All other girls drop out of school. When Pilipo is converted to Christianity, he thinks that catechism is too difficult for a woman to understand.
− The society expects a female to hide her intelligence. On Awiti’s graduation from primary school, the teacher refrains from mentioning that she has been admitted into a teacher training college; people would ostracize her for her brilliance or no man will take her for a wife.
− The women in the text are so good at what they do that they are able to overcome the barrier s that society has placed in their way.
Introduction 2 marks Expect developed points. Mark 3:3:3:3=12marks Conclusion = 2 marks Grammar and presentation =4mks. Total = 20 marks

2. A strong household is founded on strong family values. Making reference to Mark Sigu’s family in Margaret Ogola’s The River and the Source, write an essay to justify this statement.
Answer:
Introduction:
 In the River and The Source, Mark Sigu meets, woos and marries Elizabeth Awiti in the rightand traditionally expected way. They start and develop a strong family that is founded on strong values such as love, respect and discipline among others. Accept any other relevant introduction. (Up to 2 marks)
The body:
 F (i)I. Mark Sigu had the devoted love for his wife and the affection for all his children. (pg 192). He did things for Elizabeth that would never have even crossed the mind of a full blooded African man. He knew she was overworked both at home and in school and in spite of the House-help they had, he threw a helping hand round the house – especially in taking the kids off the hands of his wife. (pg. 173).This bond of love helps the family to remain united in the face of many challenges.
 F (ii).In Mark Sigus house, Members are loyal to each other. For instance when Mark Sigu realizes that promiscuity would ruin his marriage he so forcefully dumps the girl and asks for leave to go and bring back his family from Aluor. (pg 170) He tells his mother off when the latter feels he is over protective to the wife. (pg 167).This clear demonstration of loyalty helps the two to remain together right into their sunset days.
 F(iii). The Sigus have instilled a sense of hard work in the family. Mark keeps on studying to get promotions so that he can have his children live a decent life. (pg 166, 172). Mark felt very lucky about his hard working children. Vera had seven unbeatable records in school, Becky was not doing so badly, Aoro had maintained a continuous lead in school and Tony followed suit. (Pg 185, 186). Hard work defines the Sigus.
 F(iv) Children in their growing up must be brought up with high level of discipline. Mark and Elizabeth were firm on their children’s discipline and they never spared them any time they misbehaved. When Tony and Aoro almost made their twin drown they are heavily punished. (pgs 176-179). When Aoro is suspended from school, he is denied food and asked to start fending for himself. (pgs 187-191).This firm discipline instills hard work in the children.
 F(v) A strong family is also built up on mutual respect. The parents extend a measure of respect to the children and vice versa. This is seen on various instances: on serious matters concerning the family, Mark and his wife consult before a favorable decision is made. When Vera wants to go out with Tommy Muhambe she requests for permission the father.(pg 206 – 208). This too builds a strong family. Mark any 4 well developed points 3: 3: 3: 3 (12 marks)
Conclusion:
In conclusion, looking at the Sigu family, one would say that the foundation of a strong family guided by good ethics depends on the husband and the wife, how close they are to their Children and how they develop acceptable values systems. Accept any other valid conclusion.(2 mks)
 Grammar and Presentation 1-3 on the body award 1 mark
 4-5 on the body award 2 marks
 6-8 on the body award 3 marks
 9-12 on the body award 4 mark

3. Drawing illustrations from Margaret Ogola’s The River and The Source, write an essay proving that Akoko is at the centre of the change process in the society of the River and The Source.
Answer:
INTRODUCTION:
Change is inevitable and cannot be preserved. In the River and the Source, Akoko becomes instrumental in spearheading the change. In the contemporary society, a lot of change has been initiated in a manner that transforms the people’s ways of living.
(a) Polygamy: - Otieno has several wives - Odero has several wives Monogamy: - Owuor Kembo does not marry a second wife for the first time in their history. He resists the pressure of taking on a second wife from his mother and council of elders because he finds fulfillment in his wife Akoko.
 (ii) Solving disputes – Disputes were solved by the Council of Jodongo, Akoko goes home after the accusations by her mother-in-law that she had bewitched Owuor Kembo. Elders from both sides settle the dispute however, when Otieno plunders her property, Akoko makes history by taking a pioneering journey to Kisuma to seek justice from the Jorochere (the white man) through her, the whole of Sakwa experiences the impact of the white man’s rule.
 (iii) Traditional worship, the community believed in were God of the eye of the rising sun. However, Akoko advises Nyabera to venture into the hitherto the unknown world of Christianity. This ushers enormous changes in Akoko’s lineage.
(iv) Marriage was mandatory in the traditional setting. However, with Akoko’s blessing, Owour Sino adapts celibacy which is unheard off traditionally. He becomes a catholic priest.
(v) Informal education was the order of the day but with Akoko’s encouragement, Awiti pursues education which she rightly believes is the direction that life is taking. She reprimands Nyabera who tries to resist Nyabera’s departure to a teachers training college.
 (vi) Bride price was mandatory for any marriage to take place in the traditional setting. However, to the dismay of Oyange Silwal and Mark Sigu’s party Akoko asks for only a token bride-piece setting a precedent which is a clear break with tradition.
 Conclusion:
Clearly, Akoko is among the few African women who embraced change without demur. She seems to understand that change is mandatory and people must keep pace with it.

4. A strong household is founded on strong family values. Making reference to Mark Sigu’s family in Margaret Ogola’s The River and the Source, write an essay to justify the above statement.
Answer:
Introduction:
 In The River and the Source, Mark Sigu meets, woos and marries Elizabeth Awiti in the right and traditionally expected way. They start and develop a strong household that is ruled with strong values like love, respect and discipline among others/ accept any other relevant introduction. (2mks)
I. Mark Sigu had the devoted love of his wife and the affection of all his children. (pg192). He did things for Elizabeth that would never have even crossed the mind of a full blooded African ma. He knew she was over-worked both at home and in school and in spite the house-help they had, he throw a helping hand round the house – especially in taking the kids off the hands of his wife.(pg 173)
II. (ii There is protection offered to family by the Sigus. When he realizes that promiscuity would ruin his marriage he so forcefully dumps the girl and asks for leave to go and bring back his family from Aluor. (pg 169-170) He tells his mother off when the latter feels he is over protective to the wife. (pg 167)
III. The Sigus have instilled a sense of hard work in the family. Mark keeps on studying to get promotions so that he can have his children live a decent life. (pg 166, 172). Mark felt very lucky in his hard working children. Vera had seven unbeatable records in school, Becky was not doing so badly, Aoro had maintained a continuous lead in school and Tony followed suit. (Pg 185, 186)
V. Mark and Elizabeth were always concerned about the welfare of their children. Tony falls sick at night on the groin. The whole family is concerned. (pg 179-182). Elizabeth also falls sick in pregnancy. (pgs 192-194)
VI. Children in their growing up must be brought up with high level of discipline. Mark was firm on his children’s discipline and they never spared them any time they misbehaved. When Tony and Aoro almost made their twin drown they are heavily punished. (pgs 176-179). Aoro is suspended from school. He is denied food and asked to start fending for himself. (pgs 187-191)
VII. on heavy matters concerning the family Mark and his wife consult before a favourable decision is made. Vera decides to forgo her chance at a national school and join Becky’s. (pg 175). When Elizabeth falls sick (192-194). Vera wants to go out with Tommy Muhambe (pg 206-208)
VIII. The Sigus let their children follow their own paths in life, marriage and career. Vera joins Opus Dei Aoro becomes a doctor and marries from another tribe. And Tony joins the priesthood.
Mark any 4 well developed points 3: 3: 3: 3 (12mks)
Conclusion:
In conclusion, looking at the Sigu family, one would say that the foundation of a strong family guided by good ethics depends on the husband and the wife, how close they are to their children and how they develop acceptable values systems./ Accept any other valid conclusion. (2mks)