AFRICAN PROSE
ASARE KONADU: A WOMAN IN HER PRIME
What role does tradition play in the relationship between Pokuwaa and her mother?
Explanation
Tradition plays a very significant role in the relationship between Pokuwaa and her mother. Being the only daughter among the five sons of her mother, the old woman tends to be closer to her than her sons. By tradition of matrilineal inheritance, the offspring of sons belong to the families of the sons' wives. So, although Pokuwaa has brothers, who have children, it is to Pokuwaa that her mother looks for her grandchildren, properly so called. Because of this the old woman takes keen interest in Pokuwaa's affairs, especially her search for a child.
Being old and a custodian of their traditional beliefs, she supervises the offering to the river and the god of Tano. This is what the priest says will open the way for Pokuwaa to get a child. Pokuwaa goes along well enough and her mother takes care of her interest and is watchful that she does not come to harm through ignorance. When Pokuwaa deprives the eagle of its meal at the Ananse stream on a taboo day and brings the hornbill home, her mother sees disaster looming for Pokuwaa. Quickly she arranges the necessary purification for Pokuwaa. If Pokuwaa dies now, how will her mother get a grandchild? This is a serious matter for the old woman.
It is evident that Pokuwaa's mother's involvement in the affairs of her daughter is deep. She closely directs Pokuwaa's observance of the rites concerning Pokuwaa's search for a child. She keeps her daughter alert to her responsibilities to Tano.
All along, however, Pokuwaa seems to have ideas of her own. She is obedient to the directives of her mother and the priest. Somehow, she looks higher up the ladder to Almighty Onyankopon. When things seem to be taking too long to happen, she feels frustrated She simply repudiates Tano and devotes herself direct to Onyankopon in her own manner.
The revelation of Pokuwaa's decision to reject Tano has a shattering effect on her mother. For the older woman, it is unthinkable to do what Pokuwaa does. She reports the matter to the head of the clan, Opanin Kofi Owusu, whose assurances that things will work out do no convince her. She sobs for a doomed state whose women refuse to bear children. If can be seen also that more seriously, she laments because she will not get a grandchild if Pokuwaa does not bear a child.
There is much natural motherly love borne towards Pokuwaa by her mother. Driving this love appears to be the expectation of an old woman who wants to count her grandchildren in her final days on earth, and be assured of their tears when she dies. Pokuwaa's mother does not hide her ardent desire and this urges her into getting very deeply involved in her daughter's affairs.