Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the earliest memory of the narrator as a boy?
What is the earliest memory of the narrator as a boy?
Where did the narrator's family live?
Where did the narrator's family live?
What did the trader on a bicycle tell the narrator's father?
What did the trader on a bicycle tell the narrator's father?
What did the herd boys find in a giant sack in the road?
What did the herd boys find in a giant sack in the road?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the protective measure against witches and wizards mentioned in the text?
What is the protective measure against witches and wizards mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What causes witches and wizards to revert to human form if they come into contact with it?
What causes witches and wizards to revert to human form if they come into contact with it?
Signup and view all the answers
What is used as a disguise for witch planes to travel great distances?
What is used as a disguise for witch planes to travel great distances?
Signup and view all the answers
What leads to eternal control by the wizard responsible?
What leads to eternal control by the wizard responsible?
Signup and view all the answers
What leads to the use of children as soldiers according to the text?
What leads to the use of children as soldiers according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What causes confusion and casualties among witches according to the text?
What causes confusion and casualties among witches according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the ritual where the leader of the hunt wasn't allowed to sleep with his wife the night before the hunt?
What was the purpose of the ritual where the leader of the hunt wasn't allowed to sleep with his wife the night before the hunt?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of distributing red maize mixed with certain roots and medicines to each hunter before the hunt?
What was the significance of distributing red maize mixed with certain roots and medicines to each hunter before the hunt?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people believe would happen if their wives stayed indoors and slept during the hunt?
What did people believe would happen if their wives stayed indoors and slept during the hunt?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the Gule Wamkulu believed to be?
What were the Gule Wamkulu believed to be?
Signup and view all the answers
Why were people afraid to doubt or speak about the Gule Wamkulu?
Why were people afraid to doubt or speak about the Gule Wamkulu?
Signup and view all the answers
What is said about donkeys in relation to Gule Wamkulu?
What is said about donkeys in relation to Gule Wamkulu?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker believe had been placed on him after consuming the gum?
What did the speaker believe had been placed on him after consuming the gum?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the speaker run home to his father?
Why did the speaker run home to his father?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker's father do to prevent further trouble?
What did the speaker's father do to prevent further trouble?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was summoned to help deal with the ferocious black rhino?
Who was summoned to help deal with the ferocious black rhino?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Mwase Chiphaudzu able to disguise himself as?
What was Mwase Chiphaudzu able to disguise himself as?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase Chiphaudzu use to ambush and kill the ferocious black rhino?
What did Mwase Chiphaudzu use to ambush and kill the ferocious black rhino?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker experience after consuming the gum?
What did the speaker experience after consuming the gum?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker believe would happen to him at night?
What did the speaker believe would happen to him at night?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase do after killing a black rhino?
What did Mwase do after killing a black rhino?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Ngoni people plan to capture?
What did the Ngoni people plan to capture?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase's warriors disguise themselves as to ambush the Ngoni?
What did Mwase's warriors disguise themselves as to ambush the Ngoni?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the hill renamed to after defeating Chief Nawambe?
What was the hill renamed to after defeating Chief Nawambe?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the British authorities do in response to a lion killing a woman?
What did the British authorities do in response to a lion killing a woman?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase come across while hunting alone?
What did Mwase come across while hunting alone?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase do after killing a black rhino?
What did Mwase do after killing a black rhino?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Ngoni plan to capture?
What did the Ngoni plan to capture?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase's warriors disguise themselves as to ambush the Ngoni?
What did Mwase's warriors disguise themselves as to ambush the Ngoni?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened to the forest in the past according to the text?
What happened to the forest in the past according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the British authorities do after a lion killed a woman in the forest?
What did the British authorities do after a lion killed a woman in the forest?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase do when he came across a man bitten by a cobra?
What did Mwase do when he came across a man bitten by a cobra?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Mwase granted after killing a black rhino?
What was Mwase granted after killing a black rhino?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase's warriors disguise themselves as when ambushing the Ngoni?
What did Mwase's warriors disguise themselves as when ambushing the Ngoni?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase establish upon returning to Lilongwe?
What did Mwase establish upon returning to Lilongwe?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase do after coming across a man bitten by a cobra?
What did Mwase do after coming across a man bitten by a cobra?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the secret to Mister Phiri's superhuman strength?
What was the secret to Mister Phiri's superhuman strength?
Signup and view all the answers
How was mangolomera administered to achieve superhuman strength?
How was mangolomera administered to achieve superhuman strength?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mister Phiri do when a black mamba snake slithered over his foot?
What did Mister Phiri do when a black mamba snake slithered over his foot?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people believe about Mister Phiri's ability to handle snakes?
What did people believe about Mister Phiri's ability to handle snakes?
Signup and view all the answers
What magical power did Phiri possess?
What magical power did Phiri possess?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Phiri's magical ability affect him during a fight with James?
How did Phiri's magical ability affect him during a fight with James?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the father use to neutralize Phiri's mangolomera during the fight?
What did the father use to neutralize Phiri's mangolomera during the fight?
Signup and view all the answers
Who claimed to possess mangolomera and offered it to the narrator?
Who claimed to possess mangolomera and offered it to the narrator?
Signup and view all the answers
What was involved in the ritual performed by Shabani to transfer the magic to the narrator?
What was involved in the ritual performed by Shabani to transfer the magic to the narrator?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the narrator agree to go through with the painful ritual despite its cost?
Why did the narrator agree to go through with the painful ritual despite its cost?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mister Ngwata advise the brothers to ensure for the deceased's children?
What did Mister Ngwata advise the brothers to ensure for the deceased's children?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the gravediggers use to protect the deceased from falling dirt?
What did the gravediggers use to protect the deceased from falling dirt?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the narrator to feel ashamed?
What caused the narrator to feel ashamed?
Signup and view all the answers
Who spoke on behalf of the deceased's other family members, requesting care and support for his wife and children?
Who spoke on behalf of the deceased's other family members, requesting care and support for his wife and children?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used to cover Uncle John's body while it lay in the house?
What was used to cover Uncle John's body while it lay in the house?
Signup and view all the answers
How was Uncle John's body placed into the ground?
How was Uncle John's body placed into the ground?
Signup and view all the answers
What was discussed by the village headmen regarding funeral arrangements?
What was discussed by the village headmen regarding funeral arrangements?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Father do upon learning of his brother's passing?
What did Father do upon learning of his brother's passing?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the narrator's initial reaction upon witnessing his parents' grief?
What was the narrator's initial reaction upon witnessing his parents' grief?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mister Ngwata advise the brothers regarding their responsibility towards Uncle John's children?
What did Mister Ngwata advise the brothers regarding their responsibility towards Uncle John's children?
Signup and view all the answers
What was mangolomera made from to deliver superhuman strength?
What was mangolomera made from to deliver superhuman strength?
Signup and view all the answers
How was mangolomera administered to achieve superhuman strength?
How was mangolomera administered to achieve superhuman strength?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people believe about Mister Phiri's ability to handle snakes?
What did people believe about Mister Phiri's ability to handle snakes?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the ultimate self-defense against weakness according to the text?
What was the ultimate self-defense against weakness according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the man warn the narrator not to eat or tell anyone about?
What does the man warn the narrator not to eat or tell anyone about?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the narrator plan to do during the summer holiday to test his newfound powers?
What does the narrator plan to do during the summer holiday to test his newfound powers?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when the narrator crushes a boy's feet with his sandal during a soccer game?
What happens when the narrator crushes a boy's feet with his sandal during a soccer game?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the man who gave the narrator the powder admit to lying about?
What does the man who gave the narrator the powder admit to lying about?
Signup and view all the answers
Where does the narrator's father place Uncle John's bed mat before leaving to borrow a car?
Where does the narrator's father place Uncle John's bed mat before leaving to borrow a car?
Signup and view all the answers
Who stays by Uncle John's side after his bed mat is placed under an acacia tree?
Who stays by Uncle John's side after his bed mat is placed under an acacia tree?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the narrator witness Enifa doing after hearing a commotion?
What does the narrator witness Enifa doing after hearing a commotion?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the villagers begin to do when Enifa pushes through the crowd?
What do the villagers begin to do when Enifa pushes through the crowd?
Signup and view all the answers
Who scolds the narrator for fighting after Uncle John's death?
Who scolds the narrator for fighting after Uncle John's death?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when the narrator waits for three days for the powder to take effect?
What happens when the narrator waits for three days for the powder to take effect?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the man rub on the narrator's injured hands?
What does the man rub on the narrator's injured hands?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to Jeremiah losing control of the family business?
What led to Jeremiah losing control of the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the impact of President Muluzi's policy change on small farmers?
What was the impact of President Muluzi's policy change on small farmers?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the reason for Socrates losing his job and moving back to the village?
What was the reason for Socrates losing his job and moving back to the village?
Signup and view all the answers
What did President Muluzi's policy change lead to?
What did President Muluzi's policy change lead to?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Jeremiah do that led to his loss of control over the family business?
What did Jeremiah do that led to his loss of control over the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the impact of President Banda's death on government subsidies?
What was the impact of President Banda's death on government subsidies?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused a decline in tobacco prices according to the text?
What caused a decline in tobacco prices according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one reason for Socrates' return to the village?
What was one reason for Socrates' return to the village?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the man warn the narrator not to do after giving him the powder?
What did the man warn the narrator not to do after giving him the powder?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator plan to do during the summer holiday?
What did the narrator plan to do during the summer holiday?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened when the narrator crushed a boy's feet with his sandal during a soccer game?
What happened when the narrator crushed a boy's feet with his sandal during a soccer game?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the man who gave the narrator the powder admit about its effects?
What did the man who gave the narrator the powder admit about its effects?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator's father do after taking Uncle John to the hospital?
What did the narrator's father do after taking Uncle John to the hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Enifa do when she was by Uncle John's side?
What did Enifa do when she was by Uncle John's side?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the villagers do when they saw Enifa pushing through the crowd?
What did the villagers do when they saw Enifa pushing through the crowd?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the villagers do when they saw Enifa gasping for breath?
What did the villagers do when they saw Enifa gasping for breath?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the reason for the narrator's feeling of shame?
What is the reason for the narrator's feeling of shame?
Signup and view all the answers
Who advises the brothers to ensure the deceased's children's education and financial stability?
Who advises the brothers to ensure the deceased's children's education and financial stability?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of using a hidden compartment in the grave?
What is the purpose of using a hidden compartment in the grave?
Signup and view all the answers
Who speaks on behalf of the deceased's other family members, requesting care and support for his wife and children?
Who speaks on behalf of the deceased's other family members, requesting care and support for his wife and children?
Signup and view all the answers
What causes the narrator to feel a sense of loneliness and sadness following the funeral?
What causes the narrator to feel a sense of loneliness and sadness following the funeral?
Signup and view all the answers
What is covered by a cloth in the house?
What is covered by a cloth in the house?
Signup and view all the answers
What is used to lower Uncle John's body into the ground?
What is used to lower Uncle John's body into the ground?
Signup and view all the answers
Who explains the gravediggers' practice of using a hidden compartment to protect the deceased from falling dirt?
Who explains the gravediggers' practice of using a hidden compartment to protect the deceased from falling dirt?
Signup and view all the answers
What causes Father to require assistance after learning of his brother's passing?
What causes Father to require assistance after learning of his brother's passing?
Signup and view all the answers
Who discusses funeral arrangements and caring for the deceased's children?
Who discusses funeral arrangements and caring for the deceased's children?
Signup and view all the answers
What is advised by Chief's messenger, Mister Ngwata, regarding education and financial stability?
What is advised by Chief's messenger, Mister Ngwata, regarding education and financial stability?
Signup and view all the answers
What warning does the man give the narrator after applying the powder to his hands?
What warning does the man give the narrator after applying the powder to his hands?
Signup and view all the answers
What effect does the narrator experience during the three-day wait for the powder to take effect?
What effect does the narrator experience during the three-day wait for the powder to take effect?
Signup and view all the answers
Where does the narrator plan to go during the summer holiday to test his newfound powers?
Where does the narrator plan to go during the summer holiday to test his newfound powers?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the narrator intend to do by crushing a boy's feet with his sandal during a soccer game?
What does the narrator intend to do by crushing a boy's feet with his sandal during a soccer game?
Signup and view all the answers
What revelation does the man who gave the narrator the powder make about its effects?
What revelation does the man who gave the narrator the powder make about its effects?
Signup and view all the answers
Who takes the narrator home and scolds him for fighting after the failed attempt at testing his powers?
Who takes the narrator home and scolds him for fighting after the failed attempt at testing his powers?
Signup and view all the answers
What action does the narrator's father take after Uncle John's tuberculosis diagnosis?
What action does the narrator's father take after Uncle John's tuberculosis diagnosis?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when Uncle John is being taken to the hospital by the narrator's father?
What happens when Uncle John is being taken to the hospital by the narrator's father?
Signup and view all the answers
Who stays by Uncle John's side under an acacia tree after he passes away?
Who stays by Uncle John's side under an acacia tree after he passes away?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator do after picking up the birds from the trap?
What did the narrator do after picking up the birds from the trap?
Signup and view all the answers
Where did the narrator and Khamba set off to after giving up on resetting the trap?
Where did the narrator and Khamba set off to after giving up on resetting the trap?
Signup and view all the answers
Who had taken over the clubhouse on the narrator's property?
Who had taken over the clubhouse on the narrator's property?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the clubhouse made of in the corner?
What was the clubhouse made of in the corner?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was supposed to inherit the family business?
Who was supposed to inherit the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to the collapse of the family business?
What led to the collapse of the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What factor made it difficult for small farmers to make a profit?
What factor made it difficult for small farmers to make a profit?
Signup and view all the answers
Who moved back to the village with his family after losing his job?
Who moved back to the village with his family after losing his job?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Jeremiah lose due to his excessive drinking?
What did Jeremiah lose due to his excessive drinking?
Signup and view all the answers
What change occurred after President Banda's death in 1994?
What change occurred after President Banda's death in 1994?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Uncle Socrates bring along when he moved back to the village?
What did Uncle Socrates bring along when he moved back to the village?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Bakili Muluzi do after coming to power?
What did Bakili Muluzi do after coming to power?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused prices to drop and made it difficult for small farmers?
What caused prices to drop and made it difficult for small farmers?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Jeremiah have a history of spending money on?
What did Jeremiah have a history of spending money on?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Uncle Socrates lose after President Banda's death?
What did Uncle Socrates lose after President Banda's death?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker do to gain entry into the clubhouse?
What did the speaker do to gain entry into the clubhouse?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the speaker's reaction when Khamba followed him during the mating season?
What was the speaker's reaction when Khamba followed him during the mating season?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the clubhouse smell like?
What did the clubhouse smell like?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker often do to avoid being noticed in the clubhouse?
What did the speaker often do to avoid being noticed in the clubhouse?
Signup and view all the answers
What game did the speaker play more often during his thirteenth year?
What game did the speaker play more often during his thirteenth year?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the speaker react when Khamba followed him to the trading center?
How did the speaker react when Khamba followed him to the trading center?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used for ventilation and light in the clubhouse?
What was used for ventilation and light in the clubhouse?
Signup and view all the answers
What did MTL Wanderers have in their clubhouse?
What did MTL Wanderers have in their clubhouse?
Signup and view all the answers
What was disliked intensely by the speaker?
What was disliked intensely by the speaker?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Khamba receive as a reward for the heads of birds brought by the speaker?
What did Khamba receive as a reward for the heads of birds brought by the speaker?
Signup and view all the answers
Where did the speaker grow up during his thirteenth year?
Where did the speaker grow up during his thirteenth year?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was expected to inherit the family business?
Who was expected to inherit the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to the collapse of the family business?
What led to the collapse of the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What economic change impacted small farmers?
What economic change impacted small farmers?
Signup and view all the answers
Who lost their job and moved back to the village with their family?
Who lost their job and moved back to the village with their family?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Jeremiah lose within two years of taking control of the business?
What did Jeremiah lose within two years of taking control of the business?
Signup and view all the answers
What change in government policy affected agriculture?
What change in government policy affected agriculture?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was known for excessive drinking and lack of interest in hard work?
Who was known for excessive drinking and lack of interest in hard work?
Signup and view all the answers
What was handed over to Jeremiah when he took control of the business?
What was handed over to Jeremiah when he took control of the business?
Signup and view all the answers
Who moved back to the village with their family after losing their job?
Who moved back to the village with their family after losing their job?
Signup and view all the answers
What fascinates the young boy Geoffrey in Malawi?
What fascinates the young boy Geoffrey in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a communal family activity in Malawi related to food production?
What is a communal family activity in Malawi related to food production?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the boy collect and roast as a snack?
What does the boy collect and roast as a snack?
Signup and view all the answers
What is mentioned to be often overlooked in Malawian society?
What is mentioned to be often overlooked in Malawian society?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the boy dream of becoming in the future?
What does the boy dream of becoming in the future?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the boy use dead batteries for?
What does the boy use dead batteries for?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the radio in Malawi, as described in the text?
What is the significance of the radio in Malawi, as described in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What role did President Banda play in relation to agriculture programs, as mentioned in the text?
What role did President Banda play in relation to agriculture programs, as mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What components are responsible for the white noise and power control in radios, as explained in the text?
What components are responsible for the white noise and power control in radios, as explained in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of waves require an external antenna for reception in radios, according to the text?
What type of waves require an external antenna for reception in radios, according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What activity did the narrator and his friend, Geoffrey, start as a business, as mentioned in the text?
What activity did the narrator and his friend, Geoffrey, start as a business, as mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the old man coming to their repair shop highlight about radios in Malawian communities?
What did the old man coming to their repair shop highlight about radios in Malawian communities?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the narrator's emotional response when MTL Nomads lost against Big Bullets?
What was the narrator's emotional response when MTL Nomads lost against Big Bullets?
Signup and view all the answers
What was significant about television in Malawi during the time described in the text?
What was significant about television in Malawi during the time described in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator and his friend use to understand how radios functioned?
What did the narrator and his friend use to understand how radios functioned?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Malawians consider their radios to be like, according to the text?
What did Malawians consider their radios to be like, according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What did President Banda encourage Malawians to do through radio programs?
What did President Banda encourage Malawians to do through radio programs?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main challenge faced by farmers during the dry season in Malawi?
What is the main challenge faced by farmers during the dry season in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
When does the planting season start in Malawi?
When does the planting season start in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the staple crop mentioned in the text?
What is the staple crop mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some of the harsh conditions faced by farmers during farming in Malawi?
What are some of the harsh conditions faced by farmers during farming in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common risk faced by farmers during the clearing and planting season?
What is a common risk faced by farmers during the clearing and planting season?
Signup and view all the answers
What do farmers do at the start of the planting season?
What do farmers do at the start of the planting season?
Signup and view all the answers
What is described as requiring significant effort during the dry season in Malawi?
What is described as requiring significant effort during the dry season in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What is highlighted as a common occurrence during the clearing and planting season?
What is highlighted as a common occurrence during the clearing and planting season?
Signup and view all the answers
What is emphasized as an important aspect of farming in Malawi?
What is emphasized as an important aspect of farming in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
When do farmers wake up early to prepare for work in Malawi?
When do farmers wake up early to prepare for work in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to Jeremiah losing control of the family business?
What led to Jeremiah losing control of the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the collapse of the family business?
What caused the collapse of the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the impact of the new president's policies on small farmers?
What was the impact of the new president's policies on small farmers?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did Uncle Socrates move back to the village with his family?
Why did Uncle Socrates move back to the village with his family?
Signup and view all the answers
What did President Muluzi's policy change lead to in the market?
What did President Muluzi's policy change lead to in the market?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Jeremiah lose within two years due to his excessive drinking?
What did Jeremiah lose within two years due to his excessive drinking?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the main reason for Jeremiah's loss of control over the family business?
What was the main reason for Jeremiah's loss of control over the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to the difficulty for small farmers to make a profit?
What led to the difficulty for small farmers to make a profit?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the consequence of President Banda's death in 1994?
What was the consequence of President Banda's death in 1994?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did Jeremiah not inherit the family business as per tradition?
Why did Jeremiah not inherit the family business as per tradition?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Bakili Muluzi's policies lead to?
What did Bakili Muluzi's policies lead to?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened after Uncle Socrates lost his job?
What happened after Uncle Socrates lost his job?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the collapse of the family business?
What caused the collapse of the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What was customary regarding inheritance of the family business?
What was customary regarding inheritance of the family business?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Bakili Muluzi's presidency bring about?
What did Bakili Muluzi's presidency bring about?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened after Jeremiah was handed control of the business and cattle?
What happened after Jeremiah was handed control of the business and cattle?
Signup and view all the answers
What was President Banda known for regarding agriculture?
What was President Banda known for regarding agriculture?
Signup and view all the answers
What was traditional inheritance law related to the family business based on?
What was traditional inheritance law related to the family business based on?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the man warn the narrator not to eat or tell anyone about?
What does the man warn the narrator not to eat or tell anyone about?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the narrator plan to do during the summer holiday?
What does the narrator plan to do during the summer holiday?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when the narrator crushes a boy's feet with his sandal during a soccer game?
What happens when the narrator crushes a boy's feet with his sandal during a soccer game?
Signup and view all the answers
Why does the narrator feel a rush of confidence after waiting for three days for the powder to take effect?
Why does the narrator feel a rush of confidence after waiting for three days for the powder to take effect?
Signup and view all the answers
What revelation does the man who gave the narrator the powder make about its effects?
What revelation does the man who gave the narrator the powder make about its effects?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when the narrator's father takes Uncle John to the hospital due to a tuberculosis diagnosis?
What happens when the narrator's father takes Uncle John to the hospital due to a tuberculosis diagnosis?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Uncle John's wife, Enifa, do after Uncle John's bed mat is placed under an acacia tree?
What does Uncle John's wife, Enifa, do after Uncle John's bed mat is placed under an acacia tree?
Signup and view all the answers
What do villagers begin to do when Enifa pushes through the crowd?
What do villagers begin to do when Enifa pushes through the crowd?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the narrator's uncle do upon learning of his brother's passing?
What does the narrator's uncle do upon learning of his brother's passing?
Signup and view all the answers
What does President Muluzi's policy change lead to?
What does President Muluzi's policy change lead to?
Signup and view all the answers
What causes the narrator to feel a sense of loneliness and sadness following the funeral?
What causes the narrator to feel a sense of loneliness and sadness following the funeral?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the ritual to transfer mangolomera to the narrator involve?
What did the ritual to transfer mangolomera to the narrator involve?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Phiri's magical ability cause him to do during the fight with James?
What did Phiri's magical ability cause him to do during the fight with James?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the father use to neutralize Phiri's mangolomera during the fight?
What did the father use to neutralize Phiri's mangolomera during the fight?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the narrator agree to go through with the painful ritual despite its cost?
Why did the narrator agree to go through with the painful ritual despite its cost?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Shabani claim to possess and offer to help the narrator deal with bullies?
What did Shabani claim to possess and offer to help the narrator deal with bullies?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Shabani use in the ritual to transfer mangolomera to the narrator?
What did Shabani use in the ritual to transfer mangolomera to the narrator?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Phiri's magical power make him constantly want to do?
What did Phiri's magical power make him constantly want to do?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Mwase use as a disguise when ambushing and killing the ferocious black rhino?
What did Mwase use as a disguise when ambushing and killing the ferocious black rhino?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Shabani do after claiming to possess mangolomera and offering it to help the narrator deal with bullies?
What did Shabani do after claiming to possess mangolomera and offering it to help the narrator deal with bullies?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used by Mwase's warriors as a disguise when ambushing the Ngoni?
What was used by Mwase's warriors as a disguise when ambushing the Ngoni?
Signup and view all the answers
What magical power did Phiri possess?
What magical power did Phiri possess?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Phiri's magical ability affect his behavior during a fight?
How did Phiri's magical ability affect his behavior during a fight?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Phiri's nephew, Shabani, claim to possess?
What did Phiri's nephew, Shabani, claim to possess?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Shabani use in the ritual to transfer the magic to the narrator?
What did Shabani use in the ritual to transfer the magic to the narrator?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the narrator feel about undergoing the painful ritual?
How did the narrator feel about undergoing the painful ritual?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the father use to neutralize Phiri's mangolomera during a fight?
What did the father use to neutralize Phiri's mangolomera during a fight?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the gathering in Gilbert's yard?
What was the purpose of the gathering in Gilbert's yard?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the term 'ganyu' refer to?
What did the term 'ganyu' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the narrator's responsibility during the planting season?
What was the narrator's responsibility during the planting season?
Signup and view all the answers
What did 'mpangos' refer to in the text?
What did 'mpangos' refer to in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What has become a popular food source due to the lack of maize in the region?
What has become a popular food source due to the lack of maize in the region?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is traveling the country to give out small handouts of money and food?
Who is traveling the country to give out small handouts of money and food?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is Geoffrey not able to return to school?
Why is Geoffrey not able to return to school?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the condition of Khamba, the narrator's dog?
What is the condition of Khamba, the narrator's dog?
Signup and view all the answers
What are people traveling from far away to look for in exchange for food or flour?
What are people traveling from far away to look for in exchange for food or flour?
Signup and view all the answers
Where are people gathering to receive food handouts?
Where are people gathering to receive food handouts?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the narrator's family running out of, leading them to sell their livestock to buy maize?
What is the narrator's family running out of, leading them to sell their livestock to buy maize?
Signup and view all the answers
How long will the narrator's remaining two bags of grain last for?
How long will the narrator's remaining two bags of grain last for?
Signup and view all the answers
Why does the narrator start waking up early and skipping breakfast?
Why does the narrator start waking up early and skipping breakfast?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the narrator's father do with their goats to buy maize?
What does the narrator's father do with their goats to buy maize?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the narrator offer to help his cousin with in exchange for assistance with ridges?
What does the narrator offer to help his cousin with in exchange for assistance with ridges?
Signup and view all the answers
What position did President Muluzi hold in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)?
What position did President Muluzi hold in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Chief Wimbe request President Muluzi to allocate funds for instead of wells and toilets?
What did Chief Wimbe request President Muluzi to allocate funds for instead of wells and toilets?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened to Chief Wimbe after he spoke on behalf of the people to President Muluzi about the crisis?
What happened to Chief Wimbe after he spoke on behalf of the people to President Muluzi about the crisis?
Signup and view all the answers
What did President Muluzi promise to give every person in Malawi if he won the election?
What did President Muluzi promise to give every person in Malawi if he won the election?
Signup and view all the answers
Who did President Muluzi attempt to broker peace between?
Who did President Muluzi attempt to broker peace between?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the response of the government to the anger about a missing maize surplus and looming hunger?
What was the response of the government to the anger about a missing maize surplus and looming hunger?
Signup and view all the answers
What did December bring, despite which many farmers were too busy looking for food to plant their fields?
What did December bring, despite which many farmers were too busy looking for food to plant their fields?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Waganyu do as seen moving slowly down the road, often soaked with rain and covered in mud?
What did Waganyu do as seen moving slowly down the road, often soaked with rain and covered in mud?
Signup and view all the answers
What did President Muluzi prioritize over buying new desks for schools?
What did President Muluzi prioritize over buying new desks for schools?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the school building receive instead of new homes for teachers?
What did the school building receive instead of new homes for teachers?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused many farmers to be too busy looking for food instead of planting their fields?
What caused many farmers to be too busy looking for food instead of planting their fields?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used as a substitute for maize when the price of maize rose significantly?
What was used as a substitute for maize when the price of maize rose significantly?
Signup and view all the answers
Who informed the protagonist that he had been unable to buy maize from the usual villages for the upcoming hungry season?
Who informed the protagonist that he had been unable to buy maize from the usual villages for the upcoming hungry season?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was responsible for selling surplus grain but was reported to be empty?
Who was responsible for selling surplus grain but was reported to be empty?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the surplus grain get sold for, leaving the community without a safety net?
What did the surplus grain get sold for, leaving the community without a safety net?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people start looking for when the price of maize began to rise significantly?
What did people start looking for when the price of maize began to rise significantly?
Signup and view all the answers
Who felt obligated to feed the hungry people in their community?
Who felt obligated to feed the hungry people in their community?
Signup and view all the answers
What were market women selling as a last resort for food?
What were market women selling as a last resort for food?
Signup and view all the answers
Who had nothing extra to offer during the food crisis despite usually helping during lean times?
Who had nothing extra to offer during the food crisis despite usually helping during lean times?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the harvests in outer villages to be unsuccessful?
What caused the harvests in outer villages to be unsuccessful?
Signup and view all the answers
Who reported that Press Agriculture estate was empty?
Who reported that Press Agriculture estate was empty?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people start doing when unripe mangoes were used as a substitute for maize?
What did people start doing when unripe mangoes were used as a substitute for maize?
Signup and view all the answers
'Gaga' referred to in the text is:
'Gaga' referred to in the text is:
Signup and view all the answers
What is the reason behind Gilbert's concern about tending his fields?
What is the reason behind Gilbert's concern about tending his fields?
Signup and view all the answers
What change in the atmosphere of the village is observed by the narrator on Christmas day?
What change in the atmosphere of the village is observed by the narrator on Christmas day?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Gilbert express disappointment about when talking to the narrator?
What does Gilbert express disappointment about when talking to the narrator?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the narrator notice about the people's behavior towards using the latrine?
What does the narrator notice about the people's behavior towards using the latrine?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator and Charity consume large amounts of to bring back a wounded animal during Christmas?
What did the narrator and Charity consume large amounts of to bring back a wounded animal during Christmas?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the narrator not ask for a share of the hide for his family after consuming it?
Why did the narrator not ask for a share of the hide for his family after consuming it?
Signup and view all the answers
What news did the narrator receive the following week after the Christmas incident?
What news did the narrator receive the following week after the Christmas incident?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the narrator's reaction upon finding out he had been assigned to Kachokolo Secondary School?
What was the narrator's reaction upon finding out he had been assigned to Kachokolo Secondary School?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the arrival of rains bring, along with life to the land?
What did the arrival of rains bring, along with life to the land?
Signup and view all the answers
What were people mostly eating due to the high cost of maize?
What were people mostly eating due to the high cost of maize?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the narrator's grades below average in?
What were the narrator's grades below average in?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator plan after taking his Junior Certificate Exam at Kachokolo Secondary School?
What did the narrator plan after taking his Junior Certificate Exam at Kachokolo Secondary School?
Signup and view all the answers
What did several pieces of hide remain in after being consumed by the narrator and Charity?
What did several pieces of hide remain in after being consumed by the narrator and Charity?
Signup and view all the answers
Who made an exception and allowed the narrator and the animal inside the clubhouse?
Who made an exception and allowed the narrator and the animal inside the clubhouse?
Signup and view all the answers
What did consuming large amounts of hide cause for the narrator?
What did consuming large amounts of hide cause for the narrator?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator's father use the withdrawn money for?
What did the narrator's father use the withdrawn money for?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was the narrator reprimanded by the headmaster on the first day of school?
Why was the narrator reprimanded by the headmaster on the first day of school?
Signup and view all the answers
Why were students studying outside under trees at the narrator's previous primary school?
Why were students studying outside under trees at the narrator's previous primary school?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened to one of the narrator's classmates, Angela?
What happened to one of the narrator's classmates, Angela?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator's mother send him to buy at the trading center?
What did the narrator's mother send him to buy at the trading center?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to protests at the market in Malawi?
What led to protests at the market in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the woman named 'my mother' do to earn money for flour?
What did the woman named 'my mother' do to earn money for flour?
Signup and view all the answers
What did families have to do as the price of maize continued to rise?
What did families have to do as the price of maize continued to rise?
Signup and view all the answers
What became a target during chaotic mobs in Malawi?
What became a target during chaotic mobs in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people fear as the situation worsened in Malawi?
What did people fear as the situation worsened in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people rush to banks for in Malawi?
What did people rush to banks for in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What did traders resort to when supplies ran low in Malawi?
What did traders resort to when supplies ran low in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a common practice during chaotic scenes in Malawi?
What was a common practice during chaotic scenes in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
How did people react upon discovering deception in Malawi?
How did people react upon discovering deception in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a consequence of people's desperation in Malawi?
What was a consequence of people's desperation in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a significant impact of the rising price of maize in Malawi?
What was a significant impact of the rising price of maize in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a common reaction among people regarding government silence on the crisis in Malawi?
What was a common reaction among people regarding government silence on the crisis in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What specific Christmas meal does Charity long for?
What specific Christmas meal does Charity long for?
Signup and view all the answers
What did William and Charity receive from James to prepare a meal?
What did William and Charity receive from James to prepare a meal?
Signup and view all the answers
What did William and Charity add to the boiled skin for flavor?
What did William and Charity add to the boiled skin for flavor?
Signup and view all the answers
Who did William and Charity share the meal with?
Who did William and Charity share the meal with?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was not feeling well according to the text?
Who was not feeling well according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What did William and Charity express frustration with?
What did William and Charity express frustration with?
Signup and view all the answers
What did traders in Malawi start mixing with maize porridge when supplies ran low?
What did traders in Malawi start mixing with maize porridge when supplies ran low?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the narrator's mother hide the amount earned from selling cakes?
Why did the narrator's mother hide the amount earned from selling cakes?
Signup and view all the answers
What became a target during chaotic scenes of people mobbing merchants?
What became a target during chaotic scenes of people mobbing merchants?
Signup and view all the answers
What did families have to do as the price of maize continued to rise?
What did families have to do as the price of maize continued to rise?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people rush to the banks to do as rumors spread about the government selling the country's resources?
What did people rush to the banks to do as rumors spread about the government selling the country's resources?
Signup and view all the answers
What was prevalent as the situation worsened?
What was prevalent as the situation worsened?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people do when supplies ran low?
What did people do when supplies ran low?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did families have to cut back on their food portions?
Why did families have to cut back on their food portions?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people believe would happen if they stayed indoors and slept during the hunt?
What did people believe would happen if they stayed indoors and slept during the hunt?
Signup and view all the answers
What did many people do when they saw Enifa pushing through the crowd?
What did many people do when they saw Enifa pushing through the crowd?
Signup and view all the answers
What was President Banda known for regarding agriculture?
What was President Banda known for regarding agriculture?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people discover when consuming gaga mixed with sawdust?
What did people discover when consuming gaga mixed with sawdust?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the white smoke that filled the room and burned the narrator's eyes?
What caused the white smoke that filled the room and burned the narrator's eyes?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the reaction of the narrator's sisters when the dowe was ready?
What was the reaction of the narrator's sisters when the dowe was ready?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator do with the steaming food after eating one side of it?
What did the narrator do with the steaming food after eating one side of it?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the narrator feel while eating the dowe?
How did the narrator feel while eating the dowe?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to protests at the market in Malawi?
What led to protests at the market in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the narrator's mother hide the amount earned from selling cakes?
Why did the narrator's mother hide the amount earned from selling cakes?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people resort to due to desperation in Malawi?
What did people resort to due to desperation in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused paranoia and anxiety among people as the situation worsened?
What caused paranoia and anxiety among people as the situation worsened?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a consequence of the price of maize continuing to rise?
What was a consequence of the price of maize continuing to rise?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people rush to do as rumors spread about the government selling the country's resources?
What did people rush to do as rumors spread about the government selling the country's resources?
Signup and view all the answers
What did families have to do due to the rising price of maize?
What did families have to do due to the rising price of maize?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did people become increasingly desperate in Malawi?
Why did people become increasingly desperate in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a common practice among traders when supplies ran low?
What was a common practice among traders when supplies ran low?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people discover when consuming deceptive porridge in Malawi?
What did people discover when consuming deceptive porridge in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What initially intrigued the person about windmills?
What initially intrigued the person about windmills?
Signup and view all the answers
How do windmills generate electricity according to the textbook?
How do windmills generate electricity according to the textbook?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a historical use of windmills mentioned in the text?
What is a historical use of windmills mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the potential electricity generation capacity of wind farms mentioned in the text?
What is the potential electricity generation capacity of wind farms mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the person's motivation for building a windmill in Malawi?
What is the person's motivation for building a windmill in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What material did the person use to make blades for the small model windmill?
What material did the person use to make blades for the small model windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was the small model windmill ineffective initially?
Why was the small model windmill ineffective initially?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the ultimate goal of building a full-sized windmill according to the person?
What is the ultimate goal of building a full-sized windmill according to the person?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the person use as an extension for the small model's blades?
What did the person use as an extension for the small model's blades?
Signup and view all the answers
What would be the impact of a successful full-sized windmill according to the text?
What would be the impact of a successful full-sized windmill according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator and his father consume around thirty of on a particular day?
What did the narrator and his father consume around thirty of on a particular day?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people begin to regain as the dowe and pumpkins became ready for consumption?
What did people begin to regain as the dowe and pumpkins became ready for consumption?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the impact of the abundance of dowe and pumpkins on farmers who didn't have their own fields?
What was the impact of the abundance of dowe and pumpkins on farmers who didn't have their own fields?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator's father urge despite the occurrence of theft in their fields and other areas?
What did the narrator's father urge despite the occurrence of theft in their fields and other areas?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was the narrator forced to stay home during the famine and miss out on school?
Why was the narrator forced to stay home during the famine and miss out on school?
Signup and view all the answers
What occurred as the harvest season approached despite the hardships?
What occurred as the harvest season approached despite the hardships?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when electricity passes through a wire?
What happens when electricity passes through a wire?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of current is produced through electromagnetic induction?
What type of current is produced through electromagnetic induction?
Signup and view all the answers
What strengthens the magnetic field of an electromagnet?
What strengthens the magnetic field of an electromagnet?
Signup and view all the answers
What does an AC generator convert motion energy into?
What does an AC generator convert motion energy into?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of Earth in relation to magnets?
What is the role of Earth in relation to magnets?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the effect of bringing opposite poles of magnets close to each other?
What is the effect of bringing opposite poles of magnets close to each other?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of books did the protagonist find in the library at Wimbe Primary School?
What type of books did the protagonist find in the library at Wimbe Primary School?
Signup and view all the answers
Which subjects did the protagonist focus on while catching up on his studies at the library?
Which subjects did the protagonist focus on while catching up on his studies at the library?
Signup and view all the answers
What book helped the protagonist clarify concepts such as weathering and electricity generation?
What book helped the protagonist clarify concepts such as weathering and electricity generation?
Signup and view all the answers
What challenged the protagonist's understanding of the more complex words and phrases in 'Explaining Physics'?
What challenged the protagonist's understanding of the more complex words and phrases in 'Explaining Physics'?
Signup and view all the answers
What fascinated the protagonist in 'Explaining Physics'?
What fascinated the protagonist in 'Explaining Physics'?
Signup and view all the answers
Who operated the library at Wimbe Primary School?
Who operated the library at Wimbe Primary School?
Signup and view all the answers
What were some of the types of books found in the library at Wimbe Primary School?
What were some of the types of books found in the library at Wimbe Primary School?
Signup and view all the answers
What subjects did the protagonist focus on while studying at the library?
What subjects did the protagonist focus on while studying at the library?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker decide to do when someone shouted at him from the schoolyard?
What did the speaker decide to do when someone shouted at him from the schoolyard?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker's mother worry about regarding his future?
What did the speaker's mother worry about regarding his future?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker realize he needed more of for his project?
What did the speaker realize he needed more of for his project?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the speaker have to do to obtain additional PVC pipe for his project?
What did the speaker have to do to obtain additional PVC pipe for his project?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator and Gilbert initially ask the guy with the dynamo?
What did the narrator and Gilbert initially ask the guy with the dynamo?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was Gilbert not farming much during the famine?
Why was Gilbert not farming much during the famine?
Signup and view all the answers
Where did the narrator start assembling the windmill?
Where did the narrator start assembling the windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator use as makeshift washers during the assembly process?
What did the narrator use as makeshift washers during the assembly process?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the assembly process involve?
What did the assembly process involve?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator use as the base for his windmill?
What did the narrator use as the base for his windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
How long were the blades the narrator made for the windmill?
How long were the blades the narrator made for the windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator have trouble finding to attach the blades to the tractor fan?
What did the narrator have trouble finding to attach the blades to the tractor fan?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the narrator earn money to pay a welder to complete the windmill?
How did the narrator earn money to pay a welder to complete the windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
What hindered the narrator's search for a generator or generator parts in the scrapyard?
What hindered the narrator's search for a generator or generator parts in the scrapyard?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator long to use to power his windmill?
What did the narrator long to use to power his windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator fear would never come true?
What did the narrator fear would never come true?
Signup and view all the answers
Who offered to help the narrator find a generator?
Who offered to help the narrator find a generator?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator spend several weeks searching for in the scrapyard?
What did the narrator spend several weeks searching for in the scrapyard?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the welder call the narrator when he took the windmill pieces to him?
What did the welder call the narrator when he took the windmill pieces to him?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the windmill generate too much of, causing the radio to explode?
What did the windmill generate too much of, causing the radio to explode?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator build to lift a heavy machine onto a tall tower?
What did the narrator build to lift a heavy machine onto a tall tower?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator's brother tell people he was working on in the trading center?
What did the narrator's brother tell people he was working on in the trading center?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator realize needed to be done after the windmill generated too much power for the radio?
What did the narrator realize needed to be done after the windmill generated too much power for the radio?
Signup and view all the answers
What did they do to prevent termites and children from climbing after building a tower out of trees?
What did they do to prevent termites and children from climbing after building a tower out of trees?
Signup and view all the answers
What did they use black plastic for after digging holes?
What did they use black plastic for after digging holes?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the machine attached to the tower to nearly tip over?
What caused the machine attached to the tower to nearly tip over?
Signup and view all the answers
How long did they spend building a tower out of trees and carrying them home?
How long did they spend building a tower out of trees and carrying them home?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the narrator's initial response after waking up early following an exhausting day?
What was the narrator's initial response after waking up early following an exhausting day?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened when they tried to attach the machine to the tower?
What happened when they tried to attach the machine to the tower?
Signup and view all the answers
What was causing people in the trading center to ask about the narrator's brother?
What was causing people in the trading center to ask about the narrator's brother?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used to build the tower?
What was used to build the tower?
Signup and view all the answers
How was the windmill raised up the tower?
How was the windmill raised up the tower?
Signup and view all the answers
What secured the windmill at the top of the tower?
What secured the windmill at the top of the tower?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the windmill attract a crowd of people?
Why did the windmill attract a crowd of people?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used to connect the windmill to electricity generation?
What was used to connect the windmill to electricity generation?
Signup and view all the answers
How much did the windmill's frame weigh?
How much did the windmill's frame weigh?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used instead of a strong rope to raise the windmill?
What was used instead of a strong rope to raise the windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
What did each team member do when raising the windmill?
What did each team member do when raising the windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
What surprised and excited the crowd after connecting the windmill to electricity?
What surprised and excited the crowd after connecting the windmill to electricity?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator's brother tell the people in the trading center he was working on?
What did the narrator's brother tell the people in the trading center he was working on?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the windmill to generate too much power for the radio?
What caused the windmill to generate too much power for the radio?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator realize he needed to do after the radio exploded?
What did the narrator realize he needed to do after the radio exploded?
Signup and view all the answers
What did they do with the trees they spent two days carrying home?
What did they do with the trees they spent two days carrying home?
Signup and view all the answers
What did they do to prevent termites and children from climbing after digging holes and wrapping tree bottoms in black plastic?
What did they do to prevent termites and children from climbing after digging holes and wrapping tree bottoms in black plastic?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator do to move a heavy machine onto a tall tower?
What did the narrator do to move a heavy machine onto a tall tower?
Signup and view all the answers
What nearly happened when they attached the machine to the tower?
What nearly happened when they attached the machine to the tower?
Signup and view all the answers
What did they build out of trees and carry home?
What did they build out of trees and carry home?
Signup and view all the answers
What did they do after digging holes and wrapping tree bottoms in black plastic?
What did they do after digging holes and wrapping tree bottoms in black plastic?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the windmill's explosion according to the text?
What caused the windmill's explosion according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator use to boil water in an experiment?
What did the narrator use to boil water in an experiment?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Integrated Science book mention as an alternative fuel?
What did the Integrated Science book mention as an alternative fuel?
Signup and view all the answers
How was the coil of wire designed for boiling water different from existing coils with handles?
How was the coil of wire designed for boiling water different from existing coils with handles?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator believe about using biogas as an alternative fuel source?
What did the narrator believe about using biogas as an alternative fuel source?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used to lift the windmill up the tower?
What was used to lift the windmill up the tower?
Signup and view all the answers
How was the windmill secured at the top of the tower?
How was the windmill secured at the top of the tower?
Signup and view all the answers
What attracted a crowd of people to the windmill?
What attracted a crowd of people to the windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used as a hammer to build the tower?
What was used as a hammer to build the tower?
Signup and view all the answers
What surprised and excited the crowd?
What surprised and excited the crowd?
Signup and view all the answers
What was used to raise the windmill?
What was used to raise the windmill?
Signup and view all the answers
How much did the windmill's frame weigh?
How much did the windmill's frame weigh?
Signup and view all the answers
What did each member do when lifting the windmill up?
What did each member do when lifting the windmill up?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator use as a valve in the biogas setup?
What did the narrator use as a valve in the biogas setup?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the failure of the biogas ignition?
What caused the failure of the biogas ignition?
Signup and view all the answers
What symptoms did the narrator's mother experience before falling into a coma?
What symptoms did the narrator's mother experience before falling into a coma?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was the narrator's mother initially sent home from the hospital?
Why was the narrator's mother initially sent home from the hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common issue faced by the narrator's family in relation to medical care?
What is a common issue faced by the narrator's family in relation to medical care?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common consequence of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa?
What is a common consequence of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the narrator use as makeshift washers during the assembly process?
What did the narrator use as makeshift washers during the assembly process?
Signup and view all the answers
Where was the funeral ceremony held?
Where was the funeral ceremony held?
Signup and view all the answers
Who performed at the funeral with mystical dancers wearing black masks in the shape of cows' heads?
Who performed at the funeral with mystical dancers wearing black masks in the shape of cows' heads?
Signup and view all the answers
What did President Bingu wa Mutharika's government do to support farmers?
What did President Bingu wa Mutharika's government do to support farmers?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused chaos and violence among farmers during the distribution of subsidized fertilizer?
What caused chaos and violence among farmers during the distribution of subsidized fertilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened when the narrator tried to obtain fertilizer after waiting all day in line?
What happened when the narrator tried to obtain fertilizer after waiting all day in line?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was the narrator beaten by government security thugs?
Why was the narrator beaten by government security thugs?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the crops to wither and crouch after sprouting?
What caused the crops to wither and crouch after sprouting?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people begin to blame for the poor harvest during the famine?
What did people begin to blame for the poor harvest during the famine?
Signup and view all the answers
Who promised intervention during the famine?
Who promised intervention during the famine?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people rush to do as rumors spread about government corruption in selling resources?
What did people rush to do as rumors spread about government corruption in selling resources?
Signup and view all the answers
What did traders in Malawi start mixing with maize porridge when supplies ran low?
What did traders in Malawi start mixing with maize porridge when supplies ran low?
Signup and view all the answers
What disease was mother diagnosed with upon arrival at Mtunthama Hospital?
What disease was mother diagnosed with upon arrival at Mtunthama Hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
Who stayed by mother's side at the hospital?
Who stayed by mother's side at the hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
What diseases did other patients in the hospital room suffer from?
What diseases did other patients in the hospital room suffer from?
Signup and view all the answers
Who did the narrator stay home to take care of while father stayed by mother's side?
Who did the narrator stay home to take care of while father stayed by mother's side?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the color of the walls in the hospital room where mother was admitted?
What was the color of the walls in the hospital room where mother was admitted?
Signup and view all the answers
Who passed away a few months later, causing the entire village to mourn?
Who passed away a few months later, causing the entire village to mourn?
Signup and view all the answers
Who arrived at the scene of the funeral and saw the family among the mourners?
Who arrived at the scene of the funeral and saw the family among the mourners?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the mood of the funeral event?
What was the mood of the funeral event?
Signup and view all the answers
Who kept calling for her daughter Tiyamike while slipping in and out of consciousness?
Who kept calling for her daughter Tiyamike while slipping in and out of consciousness?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was responsible for staying by mother's side at the hospital?
Who was responsible for staying by mother's side at the hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of dancers performed at the funeral ceremony?
What type of dancers performed at the funeral ceremony?
Signup and view all the answers
Where was the funeral procession headed after the ceremony?
Where was the funeral procession headed after the ceremony?
Signup and view all the answers
Who subsidized fertilizer for farmers after President Bingu wa Mutharika was elected?
Who subsidized fertilizer for farmers after President Bingu wa Mutharika was elected?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused chaos and violence related to the distribution of fertilizer coupons?
What caused chaos and violence related to the distribution of fertilizer coupons?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened when it was the narrator's turn to receive fertilizer?
What happened when it was the narrator's turn to receive fertilizer?
Signup and view all the answers
What happened when the rains stopped shortly after the seedlings had sprouted?
What happened when the rains stopped shortly after the seedlings had sprouted?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the family travel to Mtunthama Hospital?
Why did the family travel to Mtunthama Hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the condition of mother upon arrival at the hospital?
What was the condition of mother upon arrival at the hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
Who stayed by mother's side at the hospital?
Who stayed by mother's side at the hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
What diseases did other patients in the hospital room suffer from?
What diseases did other patients in the hospital room suffer from?
Signup and view all the answers
Who passed away a few months later, causing mourning in the entire village?
Who passed away a few months later, causing mourning in the entire village?
Signup and view all the answers
Who arrived at the scene of the funeral and saw the family among the mourners?
Who arrived at the scene of the funeral and saw the family among the mourners?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the atmosphere at the funeral described as?
What was the atmosphere at the funeral described as?
Signup and view all the answers
Who kept calling for her daughter Tiyamike?
Who kept calling for her daughter Tiyamike?
Signup and view all the answers
What was mother diagnosed with at the hospital?
What was mother diagnosed with at the hospital?
Signup and view all the answers
What color were the walls of the hospital room?
What color were the walls of the hospital room?
Signup and view all the answers
What powered the lights in the hospital room?
What powered the lights in the hospital room?
Signup and view all the answers
Who stayed home to take care of sisters while father stayed by mother's side?
Who stayed home to take care of sisters while father stayed by mother's side?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to widespread violence and fear in Malawi?
What led to widespread violence and fear in Malawi?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the cause of panic and mass exodus in villages in Dowa?
What was the cause of panic and mass exodus in villages in Dowa?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the reason for the fear and belief in evil powers being heightened?
What was the reason for the fear and belief in evil powers being heightened?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people believe was happening in Wimbe related to children and witches?
What did people believe was happening in Wimbe related to children and witches?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are authorities limited in their investigations related to witchcraft?
Why are authorities limited in their investigations related to witchcraft?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to the stoning death of an old man and the beating of three Catholic priests?
What led to the stoning death of an old man and the beating of three Catholic priests?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused panic and thousands fleeing from villages in Dowa?
What caused panic and thousands fleeing from villages in Dowa?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to the fear and belief in evil powers being heightened?
What led to the fear and belief in evil powers being heightened?
Signup and view all the answers
What did people believe was happening in Wimbe related to children and witches?
What did people believe was happening in Wimbe related to children and witches?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are authorities limited in their investigations related to witchcraft?
Why are authorities limited in their investigations related to witchcraft?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
-
The speaker had been searching for herd boys who were distributing bubble gum in the village area for the past two days.
-
He was angered by this act and had threatened that anyone who had consumed the gum would be cursed by the witch doctor (sing'anga).
-
The speaker had eaten the gum and was now convinced that the witch doctor had placed a curse on him.
-
He began to experience fear, sweating, and a racing heart. He tried to rid himself of the curse but was unable to do so.
-
He believed that the witches would come for him at night and take him to magic battlefields where he would be left for dead.
-
The speaker ran home to his father and confessed to having eaten the stolen gum.
-
His father paid the trader for the entire bag of gum to prevent any further trouble.
-
The speaker's father believed in magic and had told stories of magic being a powerful force in their world.
-
In their community, there was a belief in a powerful magic hunter named Mwase Chiphaudzu who was able to disguise himself as a cluster of reeds and ambush his prey.
-
This magic hunter was summoned to help deal with a ferocious black rhino that had been terrorizing the village.
-
The rhino had killed over a hundred people by attacking at the watering hole, and a young girl from the royal family was the latest victim.
-
Mwase arrived at the watering hole early one morning and used his magic to ambush and kill the rhino, saving the village.
-
Mwase, a hunter, stands at the shore and performs a ritual to make his body and rifle disappear, turning into music in the breeze.
-
After killing a black rhino and celebrating for three days, Mwase is granted land and power by the chief.
-
Mwase returns to Lilongwe and establishes a thriving empire, with abundant farmland and strong people.
-
The Ngoni people, fleeing from the Zulu kingdom's chaos, come to Chewa territory and ask for food.
-
The Ngoni plan to capture the "Rock of the Edible Flies" and the land visible from its peak.
-
Mwase's warriors disguise themselves as grass and ambush the Ngoni, defeating and killing their leader, Chief Nawambe.
-
The hill is then renamed as "Nguru ya Nawambe," meaning "The Deadly Defeat of Nawambe."
-
In the past, forests were dense, and people lost their sense of time and direction, with many wild animals living in them, including dangerous ones like lions and hyenas.
-
A lion in the forest kills a woman, and the villagers are unable to retrieve her body.
-
The British authorities are notified, and they send soldiers to kill the lion and display its body in the village square.
-
One day, while hunting alone, Mwase comes across a man bitten by a cobra and alerts the nearby village, who bring their witch doctor to perform a ritual to save him.
-
Phiri, a worker on the Kamkwamba farm, had a potent and growing magical power called mangolomera that made him constantly want to battle.
-
One day, Phiri got into a fight with another worker named James over a business transaction.
-
Phiri's magical ability was so strong it caused him to become enraged, and James couldn't defend himself effectively.
-
My father intervened and used green vines from a sweet potato plant to neutralize Phiri's mangolomera, allowing him to calm down and collapse from exhaustion.
-
Phiri's nephew, Shabani, also claimed to possess mangolomera and offered it to me to help me deal with bullies.
-
Shabani took me to the forest and performed a ritual to transfer the magic to me, involving cutting my knuckles and applying a potion made from rare oceanic materials.
-
The ritual was painful and costly, but I agreed to go through with it, believing it would give me the strength to defend myself against bullies.
-
My father took over the family business after his brother's death, as it was the start of the growing season.
-
It was customary for the firstborn son, Jeremiah, to inherit the business, but he had a history of spending money on drinking and was not interested in hard work.
-
Jeremiah was handed control of the business, two maize mills, and eight head of cattle.
-
Within two years, Jeremiah had lost the maize mill and half the cows due to his excessive drinking.
-
The family was left to survive on its own after the business collapsed.
-
After the death of President Banda in 1994, a new president, Bakili Muluzi, came to power and stopped government subsidies for fertilizer and seed.
-
The free market led to mass-produced tobacco flooding the auction floors, driving prices down and making it difficult for small farmers to make a profit.
-
My uncle Socrates lost his job and moved back to the village with his family, bringing along a large dog named Khamba.
-
My father took over the family business after his brother's death, as it was the start of the growing season.
-
It was customary for the firstborn son, Jeremiah, to inherit the business, but he had a history of spending money on drinking and was not interested in hard work.
-
Jeremiah was handed control of the business, two maize mills, and eight head of cattle.
-
Within two years, Jeremiah had lost the maize mill and half the cows due to his excessive drinking.
-
The family was left to survive on its own after the business collapsed.
-
After the death of President Banda in 1994, a new president, Bakili Muluzi, came to power and stopped government subsidies for fertilizer and seed.
-
The free market led to mass-produced tobacco flooding the auction floors, driving prices down and making it difficult for small farmers to make a profit.
-
My uncle Socrates lost his job and moved back to the village with his family, bringing along a large dog named Khamba.
-
Phiri, a worker on the Kamkwamba farm, had a potent and growing magical power called mangolomera that made him constantly want to battle.
-
One day, Phiri got into a fight with another worker named James over a business transaction.
-
Phiri's magical ability was so strong it caused him to become enraged, and James couldn't defend himself effectively.
-
My father intervened and used green vines from a sweet potato plant to neutralize Phiri's mangolomera, allowing him to calm down and collapse from exhaustion.
-
Phiri's nephew, Shabani, also claimed to possess mangolomera and offered it to me to help me deal with bullies.
-
Shabani took me to the forest and performed a ritual to transfer the magic to me, involving cutting my knuckles and applying a potion made from rare oceanic materials.
-
The ritual was painful and costly, but I agreed to go through with it, believing it would give me the strength to defend myself against bullies.
-
The text describes a food crisis in a rural area of Malawi where the harvests in the outer villages had not been successful due to floods and drought.
-
People in the area were used to getting by with the help of local estates during lean times but this year, even they had nothing extra to offer.
-
Gилbert explained that his father, as the chief, felt obligated to feed the hungry people in their community.
-
Mister Banda, a trader, informed the protagonist of the text that he had been unable to buy maize from the usual villages for the upcoming hungry season.
-
Press Agriculture estate, a large farm nearby, was also reported to be empty.
-
The Agriculture Development Marketing Corporation (ADMARC), a government agency responsible for selling surplus grain, was also reported to be empty.
-
It was revealed at a political rally that the surplus grain had been sold for profit to Kenya and other countries, leaving the community without a safety net.
-
The price of maize began to rise significantly and people started looking for alternative sources of food.
-
Unripe mangoes were being used as a substitute for maize, and people were even digging up mango trees to find any source of sustenance.
-
Market women were selling gaga, the clear-colored husks removed from the maize, as a last resort for food.
-
Around a hundred men, including the narrator's father, waited all day in the rain for their turn to withdraw savings from the bank.
-
The farmers threatened to riot due to long wait times and the bank's inability to distribute the money quickly.
-
The narrator's father was able to withdraw about a thousand kwacha and used it to buy maize and keep the family fed for a week.
-
The narrator was excited to start classes at Kachokolo Secondary School in mid-January and was focused on the prospect of wearing a uniform and attending school.
-
The narrator's mother sent him to buy a white shirt for school at the used clothing stalls in the trading center, but he was unable to find a clean one.
-
On the first day of school, the narrator was reprimanded by the headmaster for not being in proper uniform, specifically for wearing sandals instead of shoes.
-
The narrator's parents were unable to afford schoolbooks for the narrator, and they relied on his classmate Gilbert to share his books.
-
The conditions at the narrator's previous primary school were poor, with students studying outside under trees due to overcrowding and classrooms with leaking roofs and missing walls.
-
One of the narrator's classmates, Angela, fell through the floor of the latrines due to termite damage. She was never seen at school again.
-
Traders in Malawi started mixing gaga (maize porridge) with sawdust when supplies ran low.
-
People discovered the deception when the porridge soured their stomachs, leading to protests at the market.
-
Many people were already in dire straits, having sold their possessions or taken loans with high interest rates from traders.
-
At home, a woman named my mother spent hours baking cakes to sell for flour, which she hid from her family to check the amount earned.
-
People's lives became increasingly desperate; they would mob merchants and take what they could, leading to chaotic scenes.
-
My mother's cakes became a target during these mobs, leaving her with little to sell and even less for her family to eat.
-
As the price of maize continued to rise, families had to cut back on their food portions, leading to hunger and stress.
-
Paranoia and anxiety became prevalent as the situation worsened, with many fearing for their safety and the collapse of the government.
-
People rushed to the banks to withdraw their savings as rumors spread about the government selling the country's resources.
-
The government remained silent on the situation, leaving people to deal with the crisis on their own, with little hope of a solution.
-
A small library was opened in Wimbe Primary School by the Malawi Teacher Training Activity, funded by the American government
-
Mrs. Edith Sikelo, a teacher at Wimbe, operated the library and explained the borrowing rules to the protagonist
-
The protagonist was surprised to find a variety of books including American textbooks, secondary texts, and novels
-
The protagonist spent his days visiting the library and reading to catch up on his studies, particularly in geography, social studies, and spelling
-
The protagonist struggled to understand the material due to his poor English and the complexity of some texts
-
The protagonist discovered a Malawi Junior Integrated Science book, which helped clarify some concepts such as weathering and electricity generation
-
The protagonist found another book, Explaining Physics, which helped clarify more complex concepts such as engine functioning and brake operation
-
The protagonist faced challenges in understanding the more complex words and phrases in Explaining Physics, requiring him to ask Mrs. Sikelo for help
-
The protagonist was fascinated by the chapter on magnets in Explaining Physics, as he was already familiar with magnets from radios and toys.
-
A tower was built using wooden rungs and an ax as a hammer, reaching a height of sixteen feet.
-
The next day, the team aimed to raise the windmill using a rope and pulley.
-
The windmill's frame weighed around ninety pounds, and a clothesline wire was used instead of a strong rope.
-
The team used the clothesline to lift the windmill up the tower, with each member taking a turn guiding and pulling.
-
Once the windmill reached the top, it was secured with bolts drilled into the wooden poles and the frame.
-
The windmill attracted a crowd of people due to its unusual appearance and the promise of electricity generation.
-
The windmill was successfully connected to a dynamo, and the bulb lit up, surprising and exciting the crowd.
-
The narrator devises a plan to make biogas using a clay pot, goat poop, and fire.
-
He sneaks into Aunt Chrissy's pen to collect the goat poop.
-
He fills a sugar bag with the poop and brings it to his mother's kitchen.
-
He adds the poop to the pot, covers it with plastic jumbos, and creates a valve using a radio antenna.
-
He lights a fire under the pot and waits for the biogas to accumulate.
-
However, his mother returns home unexpectedly and discovers the foul smell of the goat poop in the pot.
-
The narrator tries to ignite the biogas but it fails. His mother is furious and accuses him of ruining her best cooking pot.
-
In late 2003, the narrator's mother contracts malaria while visiting her parents in Salima.
-
The symptoms start with fever and dizziness, but soon she becomes unable to walk.
-
The family takes her to the hospital, but there are no free beds, so she is sent home.
-
Two days later, she falls into a coma and the family struggles to transport her to the hospital on a bicycle.
-
They finally get a pickup to take her to the hospital in Mtunthama.
-
In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is common and can be fatal, especially in children.
-
The narrator's family does not have bed nets to protect against mosquitoes.
-
Every year in Africa, over a million people die from malaria.
-
The family's lack of access to proper medical care is a common issue in Africa.
-
Superstitions remained strong in Malawi despite the government's denial of involvement in vampire reports.
-
Previous rumors of the government collaborating with vampires led to widespread violence and fear.
-
Old man was stoned to death and three Catholic priests were beaten due to vampire rumors.
-
Strange beast attacked villages in Dowa, causing panic and thousands to flee.
-
Beast was later identified as a magical creature, sent by a trader's enemy due to unpaid debt.
-
People reported having their private parts stolen and sold to witches, Satan worshippers, and business tycoons.
-
This wave of fear spread to Wimbe, where witches were believed to be using children for their magic.
-
Old man was killed during a witch soccer game, where human meat was used to make a trophy cup.
-
Witches demanded that the boy kill his grandfather for their meat or they would eat him.
-
The boy's confession led to the arrest of three witches, but the constitution does not protect against witchcraft.
-
Authorities are limited in their investigations due to the difficulty of proving witchcraft.
-
Fear and belief in evil powers heightened due to these incidents.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.