Wednesday, 01 October 2008
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Currently Reading
The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel (P.S.)
By Barbara Kingsolver
see relatedElection Perspective
I was reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and came to this part in the book. I had to read it aloud to The King as here we are so close to our election that has us as a nation pretty evenly divided. Yes. I know it is not reality for here, but it gave me a chuckle just the same.
It reads as follows:
Anatole has been explaining to me the native system of government. He says the business of throwing pebbles into bowls with the most pebbles winning an election - that was the Belgium's idea of fair play, but to people here it was peculiar. To the Congolese (including Anatole himself, he confessed) it seems odd that if one man get fifty votes and the other get forty-nine, the first one wins altogether and the second one plumb loses. That means almost half the people will be unhappy, and according to Anatole, in a village that's left halfway unhappy you haven't heard the end of it. There is sure to be trouble somewhere down the line.
The way it seems to work here is that you need one hundred percent. It takes a good while to get it there. They talk and make deals and argue until they are pretty much all in agreement on what ought to be done, and then Tata Ndu makes sure it happens that way. If he does a good job, one of his sons will be chief after he dies. If he does a bad job, the women will chase Tata Ndu out of town with big sticks and Kilanga will try out a new chief. So Tata Ndu is the voice of the people.
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Comments (16)
That's consensus, baybee! It can take 10 years to agree to install a swingset behind the church, but every voice is valued. Quakers still operate that way also. The communal farms in southern Mexico are like that, I think (ejidos). Many traditional parts of Africa operate that way. It is not very efficient, but I think consensus-based decision making, with a reverse-hierarchy (the few carrying out the wishes of the many) deserves another try.
@runaheadofme - Hm. Every voice valued. I might have to find myself a village soon.
@Jaynebug - or a Quaker meeting. I wouldn't recommend them wholesale, but there are some good communities out there. The whole party atmosphere of an African village in the thick of decision making would be a hell of a lot more fun, though!
@runaheadofme - I hung out with the Quakers for my highschool years that started with Campus Life - Youth For Christ. I actually studied the bible with them.
let me know if the line forms for those who walk softly and would carry a big stick (not that i'd use it, but maybe we could run em out - ALL of em)
@llibra - Okay. I have you down for the front of the line "run em all outa here"
She is one of my all time favorite authors!!
Even at our wedding, rather than table numbers we did tables of author's names...she was for my friendsI am only a little ways into this book currently so I will get to this part soon... Still a fun little read and gives me something to chew on today...
hmmm that's how it works at my hideaway but i have all the pebbles but no king lol your palm looks like a tropical version of a mountain weeping cherry very nice i'm about to have an "event" with my hen & chick that was a rooster have a good weekend blessings beck
@bodhitree - What a great idea for your wedding. I think I've read all of her books.
@Adamission12 - Enjoy the reading journey.
@mag_1 - Good to be your own chief. Look forward to hearing more about the "event".
I read that book awhile ago..I loved it!
I may have to read that one! lol
Old Hat
@My_HAT_is_older_than_you - It's a great read. Each chapter is from one of the characters point of view.
@portiajules - I've enjoyed all of her stories.
Can you imagine that system here? I do like the thought of chasing a leader or two out of town with a big stick though --- I wonder how fast a senator can run?
@standingonthepromises - Excellent question. haha
@standingonthepromises - That's a very good question. How fast do you think a senator can run? There may be only one way to find out. Have you seen any sticks about? I have one woman here in my family, and though I've never seen her yet wield a stick, I feel sure she could handle it.