Drought

In the collection's early stories (including "Gone with the Drought" and "The Village Priest"), drought represents death, failure, and despair. It is also linked to childless-ness.

Rain

In the collection's early stories, particularly in "And the Rain Came Down!" and "The Village Priest," rain represents a renewal of hope, life, and possibility. It is particularly associated with the presence of children and the rewarding of indigenous, nature-based faith and spiritual fidelity.

Trees

Throughout the collection, trees represent faith, traditional culture, and strength. Trees and their symbolic value are most vividly evident in "Mugumo" and "The Martyr."

Birds

In several stories, birds and the sounds they make represent death. This metaphoric presence is particularly notable in "The Black Bird" and "The Martyr."

Names

Throughout the narrative, names represent fundamental states of identity. For the black Kenyan characters, names are particularly significant, as they represent the degree to...