There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me’ Jane Austen- PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Stories are mostly told with words, the world over; it becomes then, a rare event, a simply magical and curious case where words become inadequate in expressing the beauty of one’s life etched in the tragedy of living it.
In her debut novel, kasham keltuma, like never before, interweaves the past, present, and future to offer us not just a story but a living scroll, a lifetime engagement and reflection for all times and peoples. Outlandish, as the title seem, Caucasian Ovtcharka neatly exposes matters at home. A strong voice, vibrant, roaring, yet fresh, and outstandingly original.
Caucasian Ovtcharka captures our life of devotion as a people, our pursuit of personal, collective and universal purpose, the storms and inconsolable tragedies that seek to tear us away, not from achieving our dreams per se, purpose and fulfilment as individuals or as a people, but from doing so with our self worth, and inalienable human pride and dignity intact. Family, love, courage and their concomitant trappings of duty, loyalty, and eternal fulfilment which are simply one of the hardest discourses for writers at any age or time is superbly dished out in engaging narration, revealing dialogue, and an alluring tone bordering somewhere inbetween the will of the reader and the excellent commandeering of the writer.
Thus, expectation and expectation, a prime factor in the life of any person or people is evenly balanced. Few writers, the world over, even fewer female writers express themselves with the liberty, zeal and forthrightness with which Kasham Keltuma has laid bare the rot in religion, the deception of politics, the quicksand that is several marital unions, thus the unjust creation of families, the fears of selfish communing and the inevitable tragedy looming over every self-serving attempt at desire, devotion, rightness or simply put, attempt to show unbridled love for a person or thing.
The obviousness of recurring issues such as Independence, equality, gender, hypocrisy, masculine judgement, choice or the semblance of it, self determination, happiness, fanaticism, civilisation, civil rights, law, and ultimately surrender not necessarily to a known enemy but surrender to one’s own unexamined needs is resplendent of the fine thoughts of legendary Virginia Woolf, Buchi Emecheta, and Maya Angelo. Kasham keltuma further emphasizes the modern voices of admirable women writers such as Kanchana Ugbabe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Sefi Atta, and Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, on issues of stereotypes, sacrifice, betrayal, self denial, hope, fear, and courage.
No doubt Caucasian Ovtcharka has set Kasham Keltuma on the world map of new African women writers mercilessly critiquing the human condition. The construct of marriage and generational incompatibility as regards changes in lifestyle and cultures takes on a double meaning in the story, on one side is blind commitment on the part of a mother to her husband, on the other hand are the doubts, questions and actual differences between (daughter and her husband) modern partners that makes a successful union a near impossibility as aptly captured by the heroine. ‘I remember the white bones in my lineage and my great-grandmother stands out. She must have had a lot of nerve to marry seven times. This is just my first, and the emotional tension is unbelievable.’
In other to serve the interest of their parents, a young man and lady are contracted to marry each other. Despite their mutual unwillingness, they are prevailed upon and the marriage ensues. Revelations into their personal lives are made and the scenario takes an interesting new twist. Whilst the lady feels the need to flee the union and protect herself, the young man becomes smitten, whether his love is genuine or just a means to an inhuman end is left for the reader to discover.
The place of the spiritual, morality, common sense and religion, especially African traditional religion, voodoo, dreams and evidences of the metaphysical in the lives of people is deeply investigated and its role in determining the destiny of such peoples.
The supposed myth or mystery of ‘the white bone’ is exploited and wielded to rule over men, kings and situations by a father and mother who clearly served the interest of themselves or is it their gods? That said, the reader may be forced to question the sincerity of religion towards the betterment of the religious or non religious individual.
The excerpt below captures a bit of this thought. ‘My father is exceedingly loud with his incantations. He takes two exaggerated steps towards the action spot and stretches his hand to touch the curtain. He shakes it theatrically as if he is filled with some spirit. I look around, mother and my husband’s father took to a new level of reverence for him. From the look in their eyes, it was apparent that they thought they had seen God. All I saw was the devil’s incarnate. An indescribable pain jabbed through my heart. Right there, right in front of me, my husband rides on, mindless of his four spectators. …I realised that the previous adultery, the one under my nose was without doubt far more preferrable than this outright indignity before my eyes. He should have punched me in the face, or better still stabbed me in the heart with a dagger. …The sound from my father and the reverent praise from my husband’s father and mother failed to swallow the noise coming from my husband and the maid’s side of the divide. As expected, she was being unnecessarily loud.’ Several snatches of humour amusement, laughter and hope for betterment salvage the saga from the gloomy and doomsday scenario that is portended. In Caucasian Ovtcharka, Kasham subtly opines that Indeed, there is a war ongoing, not necessarily a bloody war, but a war of expression, of speaking out in defence for or against a thing. That this war is being fought using any means necessary is seen in the home, on the political stage even in spiritual realms (if that is at all existent), and any attempt to prevent the exercising of this right to expression, furthers the outrage that is witnessed in the concluding parts of the book. ‘“What’s that?” “The laundry basket?” “No, next to it.” “I don’t see anything next to it” “It’s my last shred of dignity. It’s very small.”’ The above excerpt from ‘the fault in our stars’ by John Green aptly describes the circumstances fleshing the middle part of the plot in Caucasian Ovtcharka, as unfolding events attempts a balance between two opposing fronts thereby creating a gorge of suspense as to what decisions will be made and what outcome will be realised. How far can one go to prove that, Death with dignity is better than life with humiliation? This, Is a pertinent question running through the book. Indecision, as to whether to remain in a marital home that offers cash but emotional bankruptcy or whether to run into the arms of a long lost love? This, alongside commitment, betrayal, nothingness, and finally fatality, prove worthy players on the stage of Caucasian Ovtcharka. Here, our heroine makes a bold and unexpected move to redeem her pride, worth and dignity, despite daunting odds. These and other gripping affairs await whoever will journey into the enchanting world of Caucasian Ovtcharka. With unforgettable characters and dialogue that will burn into the reader’s memory, Caucasian Ovtcharka is much more than a story; it is an arrow that strikes at the heart of the human matter. Caucasian Ovtcharka aligns with many curriculum requirements, making it a valuable resource for examination boards. It’s exploration of complex issues in simple language will spark meaningful discussions and debates, helping students develop essential analytical skills. The clear language and accessible style in Caucasian Ovtcharka’s makes it an excellent choice for students looking to improve their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. It will make a refreshing addition in any secondary school reading list or library.Onotu David- 2025
