Makumbi delivers again!!


Like Makumbi’s first novel, Kintu, The First Woman offers a careful exploration of heritage and culture in Uganda today.

Whilst the earlier novel was told from a male perspective concerned with myth and descent over multiple generations, this book presents us with a narrower focus, specifically from a female perspective.

The book is really invested in interrogating the difficult relationship between tradition and change, with a particular interest in the position and agency of women. With the back drop of the novel based around the Idi Amin regime, you will find a community straining under the intrusion of Western forces – politically, economically and culturally.

Kirabo is the lead heroine in this book, however Makumbi has also created a plethora of interesting complex characters to accompany her through her coming of age journey.

What I loved most about this book was how the narrative explores the way women make other women suffer. Feminism literally splinters along class lines, urban and rural lines and along differences of tribe and race.

If you’re into the African folklore style of storytelling, I would really recommend this.

To note, the novel is rich with Luganda and some Swahili words. Have a translator to hand.