“Looking for a Rain God” by Bessie Head
Short Summary: This supernatural story is penned by a South African writer Bessie Head. She was born on July 6, 1937, and passed away on April 17, 1986, it is in rural Botswana, Africa, where the people basically farm off the vast bushland. This is the story of 1956 in juxtaposition with an African agrarian family’s desperate struggle against a drought of up to 7 years with a tragic outcome, and they suffer from starvation as they are dependent on the rain to grow their crop. Consequently, the Family's heads behead two wee children but the condition seems to be the same, and the wrongdoers in the name of superstition and god are sent to jail.
Mokgobja and his family are one of the first to clear and plow their land. Their hopes are dashed when the rain only lasts for 2 weeks. Fearing the starvation that they have to face the following year, Mokgobja’s daughter-in-law and her sister become hysterical. Mokgobja remembers an ancient rain-making ceremony that involves the ritual sacrifice of young children to appease the Rain God. Mokgobja and his son Ramadi, sacrifice Ramadi’s two young daughters. Unfortunately, the rain does not come.
Eventually, Mokgobja and his family return to the village, filled with despair, guilt, and fear. The other villagers become suspicious about the missing children. Soon the police arrive and Tiro. the children’s mother breaks down and confesses. Finally, Mokgobja and his son are sentenced to death.
The theme of the Story:
Man's survival against nature.
Hope and desperation.
Laws of tribe and nature.
Characters' Analysis
Mokgobja: Family head, Hardworking farmer, 70 years old. Believes in tradition, The desperation of the situation drives him to an irresponsible act and he convinces the others to sacrifice his two granddaughters.
Ramadi: Mokgobja’s filial son. Farmer, a supporter of his family, believes that man has to be strong. The absence of rainfall and the wailing of the 2 women affect his self-control. He becomes irrational and agrees to his father’s suggestion to sacrifice his 2 children.
Tiro and Nesta: Ramadi’s wife, Tiro, and her sister, Nesta are hardworking women, good homemakers, and strict, becoming emotionally weak and disillusioned.
Neo and Boseyong (2 children): They imitate the adult world when they play with each other. Their innocent and untainted nature results in them being considered appropriate sacrifices to appease the Rain God.