Boyi Essay
War has devastating Effects on Individuals and Families as depicted in the story Boyi by Gloria Mwaniga. Discuss.
War has always left behind trails of suffering, broken lives, and shattered families. In Gloria Mwaniga’s short story Boyi, the devastating effects of war are vividly portrayed through the experiences of one family caught in the conflict in Mt. Elgon, Kenya. Through displacement, loss, psychological suffering, and moral corruption, Mwaniga shows how war destroys not only homes but also the hearts and minds of ordinary people.
One of the most immediate effects of war seen in the story is displacement. As the conflict between the SALADEF militia and government forces worsens, villagers in places like Kopsiro, Saromet, and Chelebei flee to Bungoma or cross the border into Uganda to seek safety. Fear spreads across the region like a fog, forcing people to abandon their homes, farms, and traditions. The narrator’s family, however, remains behind, unsure of whether to stay or flee, trapped in fear and indecision. This disruption tears apart communities and severs the bonds of trust between neighbors.
War also brings tragic loss and betrayal to families. When government surveyors borrow tools from the narrator’s father, the militia accuses him of siding with the enemy and demands a fine of forty thousand shillings—a sum far beyond his means. To protect the family, Baba is forced to give away his own son, Boyi, as collateral to the militia. This decision breaks the family’s unity. Boyi’s mother cannot bear the loss of her son; she tears her kitenge scarf in despair and screams that her child is not an object to be traded. The family is left feeling helpless and betrayed, victims of the cruelty of war.
The psychological suffering caused by the conflict is also evident. Boyi’s mother loses her sanity, muttering prayers and imagining her son suffering in the caves. Her mind drifts in and out of reality, haunted by visions of Boyi returning hungry and harmed. The narrator herself is filled with constant fear, unsure whether her brother is alive or dead. The entire family is trapped in anxiety, their peace of mind stolen by the endless worry and grief brought by the war.
Moreover, war leads to moral corruption and the loss of innocence. Boyi, once a gentle boy who memorized Bible verses, becomes one of the militia’s most feared fighters under the brutal leader Matwa Kei. The militia, which claimed to protect the community, turns into its greatest enemy—killing, raping, and terrorizing even their own people. Neighbors turn against one another, and trust disappears. The war changes not only the land but also the character and values of its young people, turning them into instruments of violence.
In conclusion, Gloria Mwaniga’s Boyi clearly demonstrates that war leaves deep and lasting wounds on both individuals and families. It displaces people from their homes, causes unbearable personal loss, brings emotional and mental suffering, and corrupts the innocence of the youth. Through this story, Mwaniga sends a strong message about the true cost of war—one that goes far beyond the battlefield and into the very heart of family life.
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