Nervous Conditions Chapter 5

Tambu and Nyasha resume their friendship, albeit awkwardly, given the use of English that Nyasha has grown comfortable with, and losing her ability to speak fluent Shona. Still, they rekindle the friendship apprehensively.  

At dinner that evening, Tambu receives more insight into the family dynamic. She sees that Nyasha has developed a very strong taste for western culture, and is even more rebellious towards her parents than she had been aware of. At dinner, it’s revealed that she has been reading a novel that her parents have deemed inappropriate. The book is taken from her. Tambu also seems to be bothered by the way that her aunt Maiguru fawns and gushes over Babamukuru, yet another reminder of the subordinate role of females in what appears to Tambu to be all cultures.    

Between the excitement of the day, the turmoil and drama at the dinner table, and the array of seemingly exotic foods on the table, Tambu finds eating difficult. However, Maiguru recognizes this, and has Anna prepare a traditional meal for Tambu.  

During dinner, Nyasha’s disrespect towards her parents leads to a small quarrel. Nyasha leaves the table. Babamukuru notes that something is wrong with Nyasha. He is well aware of her teenage rebellion.

When Tambu finishes her own meal, and returns to the bedroom, she finds Nyasha still sulking. Nyasha invites Tambu to go smoke a cigarette with her. Tambu is shocked, being convinced now that Nyasha is beyond any hope of redemption, and is also terrified of the prospect of Babamukuru catching them performing such a rebellious and forbidden act. Tambu declines the offer, and Nyasha goes off to smoke alone.  

A few minutes later, Tambu is summoned to the living room, to meet with Babamukuru and Maiguru. Babamukuru explains that he plans to speak to her as a father to a daughter, and reminds Tambu of how fortunate she is to be receiving this opportunity of education at the mission. She is reminded that it is her duty to make the most of this opportunity, so that she can become a good wife someday.  

Later, when preparing for bed, Tambu is intimidated by not knowing how a light switch works, or what bed clothes are. Nyasha shows her these things, and Tambu feels inferior. Then she reminds herself of the struggles her own mother had overcome, and realizes that her own insecurities are petty by comparison. She then falls asleep, only to have a frightening dream in which she gets caught by Nhamo as she smokes a cigarette. He accuses her of abandoning her husband and her children. She then awakens, and takes a bath, which calms her rattled nerves.

Tambu and Nyasha’s deep friendship resumes, as they reconnect. Tambu is perplexed by the observation that Nyasha seems to have few friends, and does not seem to be liked by many, but this has no impact on her friendship. Both girls are excellent students, and support each other’s studies. Nyasha guides Tambu through Tambu’s fist menstruation, and helps her assimilate to the new lifestyle at the mission. Tambu is stunned to learn that Babamukuru was not the only one to earn a degree while in Britain: Maiguru also earned a master’s degree.  

Analysis: 

Here we see more of Tambu’s exposure to the individual clash of cultures, both within Tambu, and within Nyasha. Tambu struggles with modern ways, and is frustrated when she does not understand things like light switches, or the need for pajamas. We see Nyasha, who is also struggling with teenage rebellion, torn between her old ways and those of the new British culture that she’s grown up under for the past few years.  

Tambu is disturbed by Nyasha’s eating disorder, and is curious about Nyasha’s apparent lack of popularity among the other students. Nyasha and her parents have conflicting ideas of how Nyasha should be allowed to behave, and Nysaha’s disrespect towards her parents shocks Tambu, who cannot imagine such behavior.  

Tambu also sees that while Maiguru has earned a degree, it has not led to the idyllic solution to the problems of being a woman, as Tumbu had perhaps thought. Maiguru relinquishes her wages to her husband, and remains submissive to him. Tambu is disappointed that Maiguru’s education has not made her an equal to her husband.