Every society is dynamic

“Every society is dynamic” With illustration from The River and The Source. Write an easy in support of this statement.

A society keeps on changing. This change may in most cases lead to resistance. In Margaret Ogola`s novel. The River and The Source, change, is brought about by the coming of the white man. There are many aspects of change in the novel namely, education, system of governance, Religion, the marriage instructions, etc,

(I)       System of administration

Before the coming of the whiteman , the luo people were ruled by traditional chiefs assisted by the council of Jodongo, We encounter several chiefs like Odero Goghi, chief Ouro  Kemboi, Owang sino and Otieno kembo. When Akoko has a case against the in-laws, her case is solved by the council of Jodongo at Yimbo.(pg 41).

This uninterrupted even flow is however disrupted by the arrival of the Jorochore (whiteman) with his new form of government that rules Christianity Sirikal and Christianity present for the hash communities as dictated by chik. The chiefdom which Otieno abuses to rob Akoko of her wealth and her grandson’s right to the chieftaincy causes her to seek assistance from the D.O and the D.C and they do not let her down,(pg 85-89)

(II)   Religion

-Initially the traditional society had their own kind of religion; WERE (the god of        the rising sun) was their god. Were is consulted in times of problems, Nyao Alego, earnestly prays to Were when the child Akoko cries endlessly after birth.(pg 12) Other characters such as Akoko and Nyambera solely rely on Were for their lives    predicament.(pg 75)

Traditionally people adore Were by pouring of libitation and offering of sacrifices.(pg 13)

With the coming of the white men a new religion is introduced some people get converted to the Whiteman’s religion. This religion is characterized by acquisition of Christian names for instance Pilipo, peter, mary, Elizabeth and veronicah.

There is Christian baptism which was not there before.

-Polygamy is replaced by monogamy there is also introduction of celibacy where people like Vera, Peter, Tony decide to get married.

The white mans religion also becomes the basis for the new system of education.

(III) Education.

The traditional African education is purely informal . it aims at instilling values into oneself that enables somebody to fit well in the society. Akoko claims that she was taught nothing else but the ways of the chik.(pg 35). Pg 42, “I have been taught that honour and pride is oneself......”

-Akoko instills virtues of hard work into her children and grandchildren like Nyabera, Awiti and Aoro. With the coming of the white man a new system of education is introduced.

several characters like Awiti, Nyambera , becky  and Aoro attend school for formal education.

Unlike the traditional education the modern education focuses on the attainment of careers, Awiti becomes a teacher, Aoro becomes a doctor.

(IV) Marriage.

Traditionally, marriage is arranged for the girl by her father who chooses “the best” man for her. Akoko has no say in the matter and only makes a brief appearance to enable her prospective husband to view her, and in that appearance the girl is expected to be shy.(pg 24).

Spies are send to spy and give a report on a suitability of the wife to be. Marriage negotiations are put on the hand of the elders.

Dowry is paid by the father to the bridegroom, for akoko, thirty head of cattle are demanded. The number of children, cemented the marriage ties, where lack of them led to marital strife. With the coming of the whiteman, celibacy and monogamy became acceptable. Pilipo tells Nyabera that the Christian values allow a man to take away only one wife.(pg 102).

People like Vera, Tony and Peter become celibates.