adminMunyaradzi Gunduza: Correspondent
MuseveUsingapotse
Crymio Kutyauripo
This 134 pagefiction book was selected by Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) as one of the set books to be examined from Nov 2017 to June 2019 in paper two, section B of the Shona Literature.Plot
The book gives an account of a power hungry man, Pondai, second-in-command to Chief Chakaingesu of the Chakaingesu dynasty. King Chakaingesu calls his council including the sangomas’ to announce the intentions to introduce his son, Karinge to the ancestral world of kingship, upsetting Pondai’s expectations.
Pondai approaches Chief Mupambi, asking for help to dethrone Chief Chakaingesu. Pondai claims that King Chakaingesu in a usurper who murdered Pondai’s father, the rightful king. With Chakaingesu’s military backing, Pondai assassinates Chakaingesu and proclaims himself chief and appropriates the king’s wives and wealth.
Meanwhile Pondai enlists his own son Tafirenyika to murder Karinge, during a hunting expedition. Pondai consolidates his power by killing his opponents and the members of the royal family of King Chakaingesu.
Karinge who has outwitted Tafirenyika returns to run into allegations of murder. With the help of an old medicine woman Matiwanzira, he escapes to King Tineshungu’s kingdom. There he trains into a fierce warrior then comes back to claim his crown by routing Pondai and his allies.
Historical setting
Museve Usingapotse depicts the social, economic and political organization of the Shona people during the pre-colonial time. Polygamy was acceptable for instance Chief Chakaingesu had three wives.
The royal family enjoyed high status and were accorded much respect.
Women and men had specific gender based roles duties mandated to them in the society. For example women used to do the domestic work, bearing children, fetching water and firewood, while men concentrated in hunting among other duties. The book provides much insight into some traditional rituals such as the preparation of the king’s corpse which was dehydrated before burial. Raiding other states looking for cheaper labour and wealth was standard practice. Sheep, cattle, and goats, represented the highest form of wealth. Politically the King was at the top of the hierarchy followed by his council and lesser officials.
When the king died, the kingship was supposed to be given to his grown up son if and only if he had one like what happened in the Kingdom of Chakaingesu. The throne belonged to the extended royal clan without an outright succession route for the king’s eldest son. Spirit mediums often played an important role in legitimising a king’s reign.
Most of the kings were cruel dictators and they centralized power within their hands for instance this is found in the chieftainship of Mupambi, Mushoshoma, Chikwirandaombera and Tineshungu. The writer portrayed most of the political, social and economic aspects of the ancient Shona society using vivid examples and explanations.
Criticisms
The biggest weakness in this book is the lack of originality.
Firstly, the author seems as if he had borrowed his story from other written fiction books of the old world novels. The story of the avenging prince is not new. It can be seen in other novels like Akanyangira Yaona published by Longman’s. Pondai’s journey to a neighbouring kingdom is a mirror of Revai’s adventures in Ndinofa Ndaedza published by Mambo Press.
The title, Museve Usingapotse itself echoes Museve Wade Nyama. Furthermore, in my opinion, accounts of raids and enslavements are done better in Kutonhodzwa KwaChauruka, Pfuma Ndeyamaoko, Pfumo Reropa and other period novels.
Structurally there are a few points that could have benefited from more vigilant editing: Matiwanzira in the opening chapters is portrayed simply as the third wife of Chief Chakaingesu and then later as the king’s best friend. There is also confusion on the name of Pondai’s wife who is sometimes called Masariranhamo and in other instances Masarirenhamo.
In addition, the author seems as if he is carried away with background information that is not relevant to the plot. For example when Pondai arrives in the Kingdom of Mupambi, the writer is over excited in explaining the customs, norms and rituals practised in this tribe. After three to four pages he then comes back to the story line which makes the story boring to follow.
The ending is also clumsy. The plot effectively ends on page 107, but the writer goes on and on for 27 more pages.
But the worst, in my opinion, are the typos, especially in the opening pages. ZIMSEC should ensure that the selected novels to become set books are well edited with correct spellings and other things.
Conclusion
Having said that, Crymio Kutyauripo must be praised for his first effort and I hope that he takes my criticism in the constructive spirit it is offered.
His effort to contribute to the development of Shona literature during this period were piracy has stolen motivation from writers is noted and duly applauded.
The writer contributed in his own capacity as a book analyst, evaluator and author. Email: [email protected] 0772 610 360.
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