“The Rain Came” by the famous African writer Grace Ogot, is a story developed against the background of the cultural reality of the people called 'Luo' in Kenya. He tried to imagine the traditional culture of the African people before European civilization influenced it. The story enlightens us on how traditional people blindly believed in baseless and rootless practices, without any judgment on the rationality of their activities. Their belief in myths and reverence towards their ancestors who are no longer on earth is greater than their lives. They are ready to sacrifice their loved ones and be sacrificed, but they cannot go against the faith they have long adopted. Likewise, the story attempts to reveal and show the cruel and selfish stain stained in the human heart to smile even in other people's troubles if it benefits them. As the story develops, we see the Luo people suffer a very devastating situation caused by drought for a long time. Due to the absence of rainfall, death began to strike its cruel blows on the animals and birds of Luo society. And it is very clear that the evil gaze of death falls on their children and, ultimately, on themselves. It is Labong'o, the leader of them, in whom they fully believe to save them and give new lives. The boss also respects that it is his sole duty to find a solution at any cost. After consulting the prophecy a very panicky and malignant solution is found, that his only daughter, Oganda from his fifth wife among the twenty children of his five wives, should be sacrificed to the lake monster at the sacred lake. With a heavy heart and in tears he explains to his people how to get rid of the problem even seeing his wife faint in front of him. But the people, after having informed the solution……half sheet……d. “Of course it was an honor, a great honor, for a woman's daughter to be chosen to die for her country.” (P 339). They celebrate parties, dances and songs. “In the morning a large banquet with many different dishes was prepared for Oganda so that he could choose.” People do not eat after death", they say. (P 339). All these are cultural beliefs. Conclusion To summarize, Ogot successfully demonstrated the traditional culture of the Luo community. Before the influence of European civilization, African societies were engulfed by impractical, unscientific, irrational and senseless practices. Innocent people, especially innocent women and girls, were to be victims of such practices. Oganda is a representative character who must throw himself into the merciless claws of such illicit practice they have to be the victims over and over again in the world.
tags