Nervous Conditions Lesson Plan

What is the significance of Tambu’s ordeal with the water dish?

One of Tambu’s tasks during the celebration is to carry the water dish so everyone can wash their hands. Because the water is cleanest in the beginning, Tambu must bring the dish to her relatives in order of seniority. The difficulty with this is Tambu does not know the order. She brings the dish to Babamukuru first because he is the guest of honor, only to be told she should bring it to the oldest uncle. It gets even more complicated after that. Tambu even has to bring the water dish to her cousins. This scene not only shows Tambu’s status in the family, especially when she has to serve her foreign-educated...