Summary and Analysis of Ivory Bangles" by Eric Ng'maryo

In the short story "Ivory Bangles" by Eric Ng'maryo, one of the main themes is the consequences of going against societal norms. The story revolves around the death of a woman, which the author suggests happens because both she and her husband defy the instructions of a seer.

The story highlights several key events, including a troubling realization for the husband, an uncomfortable evening meal, the introduction of a second wife, the significance of ivory bangles, a revelation from the seer, the wife's alternative plan, and ultimately, the wife's death.

The story features various characters, such as the old man (husband), his wife, their only son, the seer, Makusaro (sister-in-law), Leveri (daughter-in-law), and Kabanda (grandson).

The main focus of the story is on the idea that straying from established norms can lead to misfortune or adversity. This theme is explored through the husband's distress after consulting the seer, who instructs him to beat his wife and send her to her parents. The seer's pebbles reveal that the wife's death is imminent due to the spirits' jealousy toward a happy wife, and the only way to prevent it is through the beating.

During the evening meal, the husband struggles with how to break the news to his beloved wife. As a respected chief's councillor, he is expected to have multiple wives, and this expectation reflects the community's deep-seated beliefs about witchcraft and death.

The husband deeply loves his wife and had given her twenty-four handcrafted ivory bangles, some inscribed with a long love poem, as a gift when they had their first child. However, when he discloses the seer's words to his wife, she dismisses them, hinting at her knowledge of the seer's intentions to marry her and cast a spell on her in the past.

Despite the wife's skepticism, the husband believes in the seer's message as he sees himself as the mouthpiece of their ancestors. He initially agrees to carry out the seer's instructions but is persuaded by his wife to consider an alternative plan.

While at the market, the wife devises a plan in which she will return home, cook for her husband, and then go to her brother's place, pretending that her husband beat her for no reason. She would refuse to go back to him until both their clans meet and reconcile them, with the husband being asked to pay a fine and a ceremony of reconciliation involving drinking beer.

As the woman returns home, cries of village scouts warning about wandering elephants fill the air. Ignoring the warnings, she decides to weed her grove, reminiscing about her daughter-in-law who had run away from her abusive husband. Suddenly, an elephant appears out of nowhere, attacking and killing the woman.

The story ends with a grim image of her shallow grave, filled with a mass of flesh, blood, and shattered ivory bangles. The seer's powers seem to be confirmed as his eerie prediction comes true. The woman's death can be attributed to her deviation from customary norms, as both she and her husband defied the tribal seer, who was regarded as a priest of the community.

Overall, "Ivory Bangles" serves as a cautionary tale about the repercussions of going against established customs and the potential consequences that may follow such actions.

The story "Ivory Bangles" teaches several moral lessons:

Respect for Cultural Norms: The story emphasizes the importance of respecting and adhering to cultural norms and traditions. Deviating from established customs, as seen in the defiance of the seer's instructions, can lead to negative consequences.
Acceptance of Authority: The story highlights the significance of accepting authority figures, such as the seer or spiritual leaders. Disregarding their guidance, as the husband and wife did, can result in unforeseen and tragic outcomes.
Communication and Honesty: The story emphasizes the importance of open and honest communication between individuals, especially within relationships. The husband's struggle to communicate the seer's message to his wife demonstrates the negative consequences of withholding information and not expressing oneself honestly.
Challenging Superstitions: While the story presents deep-seated beliefs in witchcraft and death, it also encourages critical thinking and questioning of superstitious beliefs. Blindly accepting and acting upon superstitious notions can lead to harmful outcomes, as seen in the wife's dismissal of the seer's words.
Consequences of Actions: "Ivory Bangles" underscores the idea that actions have consequences. The wife's decision to deviate from customary norms ultimately leads to her tragic death. The story serves as a reminder that our choices and actions can have far-reaching effects on our lives and the lives of those around us.
Importance of Gender Equality: The story subtly touches on the theme of gender equality. The husband's love and respect for his wife, as well as his decision to have only one wife despite societal expectations, challenge traditional gender roles and norms.
Cultural Understanding: The story encourages cultural understanding and recognition of the beliefs and practices of different communities. It emphasizes the need to approach cultural differences with an open mind and respect, rather than dismissing them outright.

Overall, "Ivory Bangles" teaches moral lessons about respecting cultural norms, accepting authority, fostering open communication, challenging superstitions, considering the consequences of actions, promoting gender equality, and embracing cultural understanding.