Orbit Chewing Gum

When Moi, the new president, comes into power, he donates a truckload of Orbit Chewing Gum to the school. It is a symbol of his lack of knowledge about anything practical in his role as president. This symbol is introduced in Chapter 6.

Yellow American Maize

During the years of the drought in Africa, the boys were fed yellow American maize at school. The Africans believe this corn has been treated with chemicals for birth control and is only used to feed animals in America. It is a symbol of the distrust the Africans have in Americans. This maize is mentioned in Chapter 11.

Polo Aftershave

By purchasing a bottle of Polo aftershave Wainaina is technically saying goodbye to Kenya in a not very nice way. The bottle is purchased in Chapter 12.

The Nandi Woman

As a child, Wainaina was scared of The Nandi Woman painting. It...