Mayombe (novel)

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The novel Mayombe was written in 1971 by the Angolan writer Artur Carlos Maurício Pestana dos Santos (better known under the name Pepetela ) and published in 1980. It is set in 1971 and is about a group of guerrilla fighters in the Mayombe jungle, who were thrown together from various regions of Angola. The central problem is tribalism, which makes it doubtful whether the guerrilla fighters can assert themselves against the Portuguese power. It is an authorial narrative style with insertions from the fighters.

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Chapter I: A Missão

  • The 16 guerrilla fighters, under the leadership of Sem Medo, are planning an attack on the Tuga (Portuguese). They capture some workers who cut trees for the Portuguese in Mayombe.
  • But the next day they release them and give them back their property. Only a 100 escudo note is missing. It turns out that Ingratidão, a member of the guerrilla fighters, stole it.
  • In the following there is a short battle between the Portuguese and the guerrilla fighters, which is clearly more advantageous for the guerrilla iros, as they were planning an ambush.
  • The 100 Escudo note is returned to the owner thanks to great courage, which brings the guerrilla fighters sympathy among the workers. Back at the base it is decided that Ingratidão should be punished with 6 months in prison for the theft.
  • The guerrilla fighters' mission is apparently politicization.

Chapter II: A Base

  • Eight young, inexperienced guerrillas arrive at the base. One of them is distantly related to Sem Medo; he is "baptized" in the name Vewê. After it turns out that he can only muster up some courage in connection with a bet, Sem Medo is angry and is openly criticized by the inspector for his strictness towards Vewê. The dispute between the commissioner and Sem Medo stimulates a strongly tribalistic discussion among the guerrillas in which two camps are formed (Kimbundu versus Bakongo). Mundo Novo in particular shows tribalist thought structures and hopes that the chief of operations and the commissioner form a unit against Sem Medo. But the commissioner and Sem Medo are sticking to their "father-son relationship", are soon reconciled and continue to hope for an end to tribalism (as do Teoria, Muatiânvua and Ekuikui). In Sem Medo's eyes, this is possible if the people would join them.
  • Because of the food shortage, the inspector goes to Dolisie, where he is looking for André in vain for the time being. At the meeting with his fiancée Ondina it becomes clear that the commissioner's relationship is problematic because he has various complexes (Ondina is more educated than he is and brings more experience to the relationship). When he finally meets André, he lets himself be bribed with 500 francs with a bad conscience. But when he forbids Verdade to stay in Dolisie because of a woman, morale returns and he decides, in fairness, to leave Ondina himself so as not to grant himself privileges. In addition to his negative attitude towards André, the commissioner legitimized the bribery by declaring that he would use the 500 francs for food for the guerrillas. Shortly before leaving, he learns that Verdade has received permission from André to stay, which makes him angry with himself. Back on the ground, the commissioner seeks advice from Sem Medo, who recommends conquering Ondina on all levels, forming a unit and avoiding routine. In his own mind, however, Sem Medo thinks that he can only give good advice if he sleeps with Ondina and thus knows her better. But since he could have had it, it is of no interest to him.
  • A discussion takes place between Lutamos, Mundo Novo and Sem Medo, in which questions about selflessness, personal responsibility and the meaning of learning arise.

Chapter III: Ondina

  • The situation at the base is deteriorating: there has been no food for a week, some guerrillas are threatening to desert and disputes are mounting. The commissioner is increasingly acting as an intermediary between the various tribal representatives. Mundo Novo criticizes the lack of discipline. When Das Operaçõs arrives with the supply troop, the feeling of isolation disappears and everyone breaks out in jubilation.
  • There is a lot of commotion in Dolisie because André and Ondina have grown closer. The superintendent found out all of this through a letter from his fiancée and wanted to leave for Dolisie immediately. Sem Medo can delay this a little longer. He tells him about his relationship with Leli, which ended dramatically.
  • Sem Medo, the commissioner and 3 other guerrillas set off for Dolisie, where Sem Medo temporarily takes Andrés' post. He suggested Teoria or Mundo Novo for the permanent exercise of this office. Although he thinks Mundo Novo is dogmatic and doesn't like it personally, he has a lot of confidence in him. Since he himself is to be transferred to another war zone (which pleases him), he proposes the commissioner as his successor in the base. The news of a Tugas camp in Pau Caído (near the base) prompts Sem Medo to mobilize guerrilheiros in Dolisie.
  • The Commissioner wants to know every detail from Ondina in order to understand why Ondina cheated on him. He tries to convince himself that he can forgive her everything and asks her to start over. But Ondina rejects him several times, fearing that he could blame her in the long run. Sem Medo obeys the inspector's request and talks to her. But unfortunately without success: Ondina is convinced that the commissioner is too weak and that she would dominate him. A heated argument ensues between the men, in which the inspector Sem Medo accuses him of betraying him instead of helping him. The inspector is deeply injured, insults Sem Medo and finally breaks away from both Ondina and Sem Medo. He claims to destroy the "myth" of Sem Medo (which, according to Sem Medo, he himself built) and is returning to the base. While Ondina is overwhelmed, Sem Medo sees a positive development and is certain that the commissioner will now become a man.
  • The tribalist André ponders on the way to Brazzaville (to prison) how he could avoid punishment and plans to practice “self-criticism” as convincingly as possible. He is sure to have fallen victim to a plot that Sem Medo planned to get to his post.

Chapter IV: A Surucucu

  • Sem Medo and Ondina spend a night together in which they have a very personal conversation. In the morning they are woken abruptly by Vewê, who reports that the base has been attacked by the Tuga.
  • Sem Medo immediately organized a large group of volunteers and set off with them to the base in order to recapture it. On the way to the base, they meet Teoria, and the supposed attack turns out to be a misunderstanding. The shots Vewê heard were fired by Teoria to kill a surucucu (snake). Everyone is happy, only the commissioner is still unforgivable towards Sem Medo.

Chapter V: A Amoreira

  • Sem Medo returns to Dolisie. Mundo Novo was appointed the new provisional representative there. Sem Medo is said to be relocated to the east after the battle for pau Caído, which he is happy about. The worker whose 100 escudo note was stolen appears in the village and reports that he and his friends would like to participate in the MPLA.
  • After one last night of love with Ondina, Sem Medo returns to Mayombe. There he unofficially transfers command to the inspector before the attack on the Pau Caído.
  • The attack leads to a risky, unsettled solo effort by the commissioner. Lutamos tries to help him and is shot. Thereupon Sem Medo attacks with the whole troop and takes Pau Caído. But Sem Medo is fatally injured. In the face of death, the commissioner reconciles with him and together with Lutamos, Sem Medo is buried on the spot under a mulberry tree.

source

  • MAYOMBE, Pepetela, 10th Edition 2005, first published 1980, Dom Quixote ISBN 972-20-1116-2