Post Colonial – Land Connection

Petrus along with the rest of the African people are ambitious to take back what’s theirs. The time when the white colonists predominantly took African land into their control; “Petrus would like to take over Lucy’s land. Then he would like to have Ettinger’s too, or enough of it to run a herd on.” (117) Petrus backs up his argument on Pollux with David; “David, it is a hard thing you are saying, that this boy is a thief. He is very angry that you are calling him a thief. That is what he is telling everyone. And I, I am the one who must be keeping the peace. So it is hard for me too.” (137)

Yes, it’s hard for every African to reclaim their land after it was under control by whites; “Many of us are struggling to find new strategies of resistance. We must engage decolonization as a critical practice if we are to have the meaningful chances of survival . . .” – Bell Hooks (364) They are not supposedly thieves but citizens who have every right to reclaim their inherent origins of land. It’s hard for Petrus too, even though he is sharecropping Lucy’s land. Bev Shaw states; Petrus is itching for Lucy to pull out.” (140)

Lucy finally admits it; “They see me as owing something. They see themselves as debt collectors, tax collectors. Why should I be allowed to live here without paying? Perhaps that is what they tell themselves.”(158) In this scene of the novel we interpret the emphasis on how Africans claim their territories after a long struggle through liberation.

Bell Hooks states; “The postmodern critique of ‘identity’, though relevant for renewed black liberation struggle, is often posed in many ways problematic”.(364) Meaning that Africans have identified themselves as beneficiaries of their own native soil. Towards the end of the novel you find a whole deal of payback by Africans in relation to Petrus stating “I will marry her”[lucy]. (202) David answers back: “This is not how we do things. . . We . . . Westerners”. (202) Petrus’ decision is instead an act of polygamy. Polygamy, itself is tabooed in western societies. It’s rather a cultural practice in third world countries especially in Africa.