The River Between: Chapter 25 Summary & Analysis

Waiyaki stands on the sacred hill and feels very alone. He feels overwhelmed by forces he does not understand, forces moving all across the country, and he feels fearful. Waiyaki wonders if he should not have given up his position in the Kiama. He knows that not all of the white people’s methods or religions are evil—some of it is good and useful. But it must be integrated with tribal culture; it cannot be allowed to wipe away the traditions of the tribe, or the tribe will have no grounding. Muthoni tried to reconcile Christianity and tribal culture and died in her attempt. But female circumcision is too culturally important to suddenly abandon. If Christianity is to exist in their tribe, it cannot destroy their customs unless it provides new customs and identity in their place.

Feeling no more confident than when he arrived, Waiyaki decides to leave. He worries for Nyambura, left in his hut, and wonders if Kabonyi’s followers will try to take her. As he descends the hill, he looks to the other ridges and imagines working with their people. He suddenly feels the shame of a people who have been invaded and forced to serve foreign leaders. This sense of shame clarifies Waiyaki’s thoughts. He decides that next chance he gets, he will call for education for the sake of unity, and unity for the sake of political freedom. But he worries the people will ask him to forsake Nyambura.

Kinuthia calls a meeting for Waiyaki at the river. People from all over attend, many still loyal to him as the Teacher. They cannot believe that Waiyaki would break his oath of purity and marry an uncircumcised woman. Kabonyi attends, determined to defeat Waiyaki. He burns with hatred for him and “identified this hatred with the wrath of the tribe against impurity and betrayal.” Kabonyi is convinced that he will lead his people to victory, though he does not actually know what that victory is, or where he will lead them. He does not realize that his people want to move forward into the future rather than backward into the past and into isolation.

Miriamu and Kinuthia fear for Waiyaki and Nyambura. Although Kinuthia tried to protect her, men had come and stolen Nyambura from the hut—she is now in Kabonyi’s possession. He knows that if the people turn against Waiyaki, his own life will be in danger as well. Waiyaki arrives and a hush falls over the crowd.