Female Empowerment

The theme of female empowerment appears prominently in the novel. Akoko grows up in a patriarchal society where men hold almost all of the power and influence, yet she rejects the idea that she has to withhold her point of view. When she first meets her husband, Owuor Kembo, she looks at him directly, to show that she regards him as an equal and will not be treated as a servant. He respects and admires her so much that he does not take a second wife, as he is entirely happy with their relationship. While other people in the tribe find this strange, Akoko feels that it is only appropriate, as she is his partner in everything. When her brother-in-law uses his position as chief to steal money from her, Akoko lodges a complaint with a colonial government official, completing an arduous journey to do...