Symbol: Honia River
Honia is a symbol of ideological division, as it flows in between the two rival communities. However, it also serves as a place that unifies them, as the people, animals, crops, and plants depend on its water. Moreover, both communities perform their rituals there: while the Christians baptize the faithful in the river, the tribes on the other side celebrate the ritual of circumcision.
Symbol: Kameno and Makuyu
The two ridges Kameno and Makuyu represent the opposing communities of traditional and Christian people. Their hostile relationship is illustrated by the geographical features of the ridges, which appear "like two rivals ready to come to blows in a life and death struggle for the leadership of this isolated region."
Symbol: Muthoni
Muthoni is a symbol of the unification of traditional and Christian beliefs. She respects and follows elements of both faiths. For example, she believes in God and Jesus, but she also wants to become a full member of her tribe by getting circumcised, which is condemned by the Christians. However, her death indicates that it is impossible to unite them.
Symbol: The Schools
The schools in the story are a symbol of knowledge—in particular, the knowledge to improve the lives of the tribe and gain independence from the colonialists. However, the Christian schools, representing the knowledge that the colonialists introduce to the country, are not condemned. Instead, they are seen as an inspiration, as Waiyaki repeatedly mentions that the knowledge of the white man is important for their own growth. Therefore, he adopts elements of the foreign curriculum and implements them in his traditional setting.
Motif: Shepherds
A common motif in the story is the image of the shepherd. Both Waiyaki and his Christian rival, Joshua, are depicted as shepherds who lead their followers—the metaphorical flock of sheep—to a better life. This is also an allusion to the Bible, where Christian leaders, particularly Jesus, are portrayed as shepherds. Therefore, the two leaders are considered saviors by their people.
