Detailed Analysis of the story December by Filemon Liyambo
1. Introduction
The story is narrated by September Shikongo, a young man who has been studying abroad. He returns home to Namibia and goes to visit his elder sister, December, who is admitted in a psychiatric ward. The visit triggers memories of their childhood, family traditions, and December’s gradual mental decline.
The children in the Shikongo family are uniquely named after the month they were conceived. Thus, December is actually born in September, and September (the narrator) was conceived in July. This odd naming tradition is imposed by their father, Silas Shikongo.
2. Childhood Memories & Symbolism
September recalls a childhood incident when he and December were weeding. December accidentally injured him with a hoe, causing him to bleed. To stop the bleeding, she tore off part of her t-shirt.
This incident becomes symbolic because their grandfather, Ezekiel Shikongo, from then on forbids December from eating chicken. No clear explanation is given — whenever asked, Ezekiel simply insists “that’s how things are.” This taboo and the lack of explanation weigh heavily on December’s life and sense of identity.
3. December’s Bright Future
Growing up, December is an intelligent, disciplined, and ambitious girl. She does well in school and is on track to join a Teachers’ Training College. She is admired for her academic performance, and her younger brother September looks up to her.
4. The Onset of Mental Illness
Suddenly, December begins showing signs of mental instability. Her personality changes — she becomes withdrawn, talks to herself, and loses interest in things she once loved. Classmates mock her, and the family is confused by the abrupt decline.
Her grandfather, Ezekiel, interprets this as bewitchment rather than a medical condition. He clings to traditional beliefs and even after she is admitted to the psychiatric ward, he insists that witchcraft is at play.
5. The Psychiatric Ward
When September visits December in the ward, he encounters bureaucratic challenges. He arrives late and is blocked by a nurse, but is rescued by Tshuuveni, a former acquaintance now working as a security guard.
Inside, September sees his sister in a fragile state. He brings her thoughtful gifts: food (meat, chips), a hoodie, a t-shirt, and puzzles. These gestures symbolize his love and attempt to keep her grounded in the normal life she has lost.
6. Family Loss and Burden
Around this time, their grandfather Ezekiel dies. September shoulders the responsibility of burying him next to their father, Silas. However, he chooses not to tell December about the death, fearing the shock will worsen her condition. This secrecy weighs on him, creating guilt and a heavy sense of duty.
7. Resolution / Ending
The story closes on a somber note. December remains in the psychiatric ward, still unwell. September reflects on their family history, traditions, and the unresolved mysteries (like the chicken taboo).
The ending leaves readers with questions: Was December’s fate purely medical, or was there a deeper family secret masked by superstition? The story emphasizes the painful collision between tradition and modern medicine, hope and despair, and the burden of family responsibility.
Overall Significance
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December’s life is symbolic of wasted potential due to forces beyond her control.
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The chicken taboo and her name highlight how family traditions and silence can shape destiny.
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September’s role emphasizes love, guilt, and sacrifice.
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The story challenges us to reflect on mental health stigma, superstition vs. science, and the quiet tragedies in African families.
Detailed Synopsis
The story is narrated by September Shikongo, a young man who returns home to Namibia after studying abroad. His visit to his elder sister, December, who is admitted in a psychiatric ward, triggers memories of their childhood, traditions, and the family struggles that shaped their lives.
The Shikongo family has a unique tradition of naming children after the month they were conceived. Ironically, December was born in September, while September (the narrator) was conceived in July. This unusual naming system, imposed by their father, Silas Shikongo, highlights the dominance of tradition in family life.
A childhood memory stands out: while weeding, December accidentally injured September with a hoe. To stop the bleeding, she tore part of her t-shirt. After this incident, their grandfather Ezekiel Shikongo forbade December from ever eating chicken, without explanation — insisting only that “that’s how things are.” This unexplained taboo weighs heavily on December, becoming symbolic of the silence and restrictions imposed by culture.
As a young girl, December was brilliant, disciplined, and admired. She excelled in school and was expected to join a Teachers’ Training College. But suddenly, her life changed. She developed symptoms of mental illness — talking to herself, withdrawing from friends, and losing interest in her dreams. Her grandfather interpreted this as bewitchment, refusing to accept medical explanations.
When September visits her in the ward, he is initially blocked by a nurse but helped by Tshuuveni, a former acquaintance turned security guard. He brings gifts — meat, chips, a hoodie, a t-shirt, and puzzles — as a way to keep her connected to normal life. December, however, is fragile and distant.
During this period, Ezekiel dies. September takes on the heavy responsibility of burying him but decides not to tell December, fearing the shock might worsen her condition. This secrecy burdens him with guilt and highlights the theme of family responsibility and silence.
The story ends on a somber note: December remains unwell, trapped between medical reality and traditional explanations. The unresolved mystery of the chicken taboo and her wasted potential leave the reader reflecting on stigma, silence, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
Themes
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Mental Illness and Stigma
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December’s condition highlights how African societies often misinterpret mental illness as witchcraft.
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The stigma isolates victims rather than supporting them.
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Tradition vs. Modernity
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Ezekiel’s insistence on witchcraft contrasts with medical explanations.
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The chicken taboo symbolizes unexplained traditions that still govern lives.
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Family Love and Responsibility
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September’s care for December shows sibling love.
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His decision to withhold Ezekiel’s death reflects the emotional burden of protecting the vulnerable.
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Silence and Secrets
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The family’s silence about the chicken ban.
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September’s silence about Ezekiel’s death.
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Secrets become a source of suffering.
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Lost Potential
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December is a bright student whose future is cut short.
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Symbolizes wasted talent due to illness, stigma, and silence.
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Characterisation
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December Shikongo
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Intelligent and ambitious in her youth.
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Later, vulnerable, fragile, and stigmatized due to mental illness.
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Symbol of wasted potential.
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September Shikongo
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The narrator.
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Loving, responsible, reflective, and burdened by guilt.
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Represents rationality, empathy, and family duty.
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Ezekiel Shikongo (Grandfather)
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Patriarch of the family.
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Upholder of tradition and superstition.
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Mysterious, controlling, and sometimes insensitive.
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Silas Shikongo (Father)
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Creator of the naming tradition.
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Represents family authority and continuity.
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Tshuuveni
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Security guard who helps September access the ward.
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Symbol of small acts of kindness in difficult times.
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Style and Stylistic Devices
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Symbolism
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Names (December and September) → identity and destiny.
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Chicken taboo → silence, tradition, and control.
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Gifts in the ward → love, hope, and normalcy.
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Imagery
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Vivid description of hospital scenes and December’s decline.
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Irony
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December, named after a festive month, suffers tragedy.
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A bright student’s life ends in helplessness.
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Flashback
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Narrator recalls childhood incidents (e.g., hoe accident).
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Dialogue
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Used sparingly but helps show the clash of beliefs.
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Foreshadowing
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Childhood accident foreshadows December’s later misfortune.
Sample Essay questions and answers
- The story December is ultimately about love, family, and the heavy responsibilities we carry for one another.” Discuss.
- December by Filemon Iiyambo highlights the conflict between tradition and modernity.” With close reference to the text, write an essay to support this statement.
- The story December by Filemon Iiyambo shows how mental illness is misunderstood and stigmatized in society.” Discuss
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