Bwesigye Bwa Mwesigire in Chimurenga:
More here“Breaking the rules attracts implications, Jennifer.” I overhear British writer and feminist Sara Maitland delivering these warning shots to Jennifer Makumbi. Makumbi has chosen to publish her debut novel on the continent and the snub felt by the publishing industry in the West has probably become more pronounced as Kwani?, a Kenyan publishing outfit, swims in the praise that Kintu is receiving. Nonetheless, Maitland encourages Makumbi “to carry on breaking the rules”.
It is advice Makumbi probably doesn’t need from her mentor. Kintu is a rulebook in rule-breaking. Instead of focusing the story on a central character, Makumbi centres Kintu on an idea: a curse; more specifically, a family curse that touches so many families, so many characters. The story begins in the 18th century and races through history up to today. By this time the characters in the first family have begotten sons and daughters, who have, in turn, begotten sons and daughters.
