Summary of Looking for a Rain God
"Looking for a Rain God" is about an African family's desperate struggle against a drought that results in tragic outcome. An African village is plagued by a 7-year drought. The villagers, who are mainly farmers, suffer from starvation as they are dependent on the rain to grow their crop. The rain finally comes and many families rush out to continue farming. Mokgobja and his family are one of the first to clear and plough their land. Their hopes are shattered when the rain was not sufficient to cultivate the land. 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 which involves the ritual sacrifice of young children to appease rain god. Mokgobja and his son Ramadi, sacrifice Ramadi's two young daughters. Unfortunately, the rain does not fall.
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, police arrive and Tiro, the children's mother reveals the truth. Finally, Mokgobja and his son are sentenced to death for religious murder.
Why is it significant that the events in this brief story actually occurred one a period of seven years? What are the progressive effects of the drought one this period?
Drought occurred over a period of seven year is very significant in the story. Due to long year drought, land and watering places become dry. Leaves of the tree withered. Earth sand changed into white and black powder. Due to excessive hot and lack of grain, people killed themselves hanging in the trees. Hypocrite, talismans, and witch doctor giving fake instruction to the villagers earned money. The great serious thing is caused by drought is that Mokgobja and his son sacrificed their little kids in the hope of making happy to the rain god.
To what extent does "Looking for a Rain God" give insight into situations that are so extreme that the normal conceptions of what is right or wrong give way to the question of survival
In order to survive, people can follow the religion, worship to god
but it is wrong to make human sacrifice. They can follow their ritual but while following the ritual, they should not violate the law. Neo and Boseyong do nothing wrong throughout the story. In reality, there is no justification for their death. All they are doing is playing with their dolls. It is other people's desperation that results in both Neo and Boseyong being killed to please the rain god. Mokgobja fuelled by the beliefs of his childhood feels as though he is doing the honourable thing to please the rain god. It is as though Mokgobja believes that everything will be alright once the rain begins to fall. Yet, it is also interesting when the rain refuses to fall but Mokgobja does not blame the rain god. In fact, he appears to accept that there will no rain with or without a sacrifice. It is as though the sacrifice of Neo and Boseyong has been pointless.
Though some readers will find it hard to sympathize with Mokgobja. It might be important to remember that he acted as he thought was best under the circumstances. Truly, it is wrong to sacrifice a child (or anybody else) to a God that may or may not exist but so engrained in Mokgobja's mind was the goodness of the rain god that he believed that his actions were for the greater good. It is only when he returns to the village and people start to become suspicious that the truth comes out and Mokgobja faces law. A family has been torn apart and Mokgobja will lose his life for the crimes that he committed.
To what extent does this story give insight into the lives of people who live in colonized nations where Western values are superimposed on tribal customs and beliefs?
In the story, colonized man, Mokgobja and his tribes are imposed and superimposed western values, custom and tradition. In Mokgobja's eyes, he is simply using Neo and Boseyong for the greater god. So, his family may survive from the drought and crops might grow. Such practices may make obligation to ask some readers to question on the value of life in the village. It also doesn't help Mokgobja. When he returns to the village, other villagers are suspicious of him because they do not see Neo and Boseyong.
As to whether Mokogobja is driven by shame or guilt is not easy to say. However, he is to face justice for his actions. This could be significant as Head may be highlighting how incompatible colonial law is with traditional ways. Though it is also interesting that Mokgobja does not plead his case. It is as though the reality of what he has done has set in and he knows that his actions have been inappropriate. Not only has Mokgobja been beaten by the land but he has also been beaten by his mind. Whereas the women who initiated the killing of Neo and Boseyong do not appear to have faced any form of punishment
Do you think the ritual sacrifice is similar to putting faith in charlatans, sorcerers, and witch doctors?
In some of the causes, the ritual sacrifice is similar to putting faith in charlatans, sorcerers and witch doctors because in the name of making God happy, they encourage innocent people to follow the ritual sacrifice. All of them are similar because they are based on superstition. On the other hand, all charlatans, sorcerers and witch doctor may not enforce the ritual murder to make the god happy. They just may say that they are the representative of gods. so if they follow their instruction, they may get rid of the problem. In the story too, they have given herbs to rob the land so that the rain might fall.
In fact, ritual sacrifice is illegal. Human should have strong bond and ties each other. In ritual sacrifice, they love to kill family members for their benefit. In the story too, elder family members in the name of surviving on the earth, they murder their innocent baby girls.