Tradition vs Modernity in December by Filemon Liyambo

 

Tradition vs. Modernity

Question: “December by Filemon Iiyambo highlights the conflict between tradition and modernity.” With close reference to the text, write an essay to support this statement.

Answer:
The short story December by Filemon Iiyambo captures a family’s struggles through the eyes of September Shikongo and presents a larger conflict between tradition and modernity. The Shikongo family is deeply rooted in traditional practices, but the narrator, who has studied abroad, represents a modern outlook. The two worldviews clash particularly in how they interpret December’s condition and in the customs that guide family life.

The most striking tradition in the story is the unusual naming of children. Their father, Silas Shikongo, chooses to name each child after the month in which he or she was conceived rather than born. Thus, December is actually born in September, and September is conceived in July. While this appears eccentric, it reflects the power of parental authority and traditional customs in shaping identity. To outsiders, it may appear illogical, but within the family it is normalized. This practice immediately introduces the reader to a world where tradition governs even the most personal details of life.

The conflict intensifies when December, a bright student destined for Teachers’ Training College, begins to show signs of mental illness. Her grandfather, Ezekiel Shikongo, quickly concludes that she has been bewitched. For him, there is no space for modern medicine or psychology; all misfortune must have a supernatural explanation. This reflects the deeply ingrained traditional worldview that interprets illness as punishment, witchcraft, or curse. Even his long-standing chicken taboo against December, imposed after a childhood incident, is rooted in unexplained traditional beliefs. When asked for explanations, he simply says “that’s how things are,” closing the door to rational discussion.

In contrast, September, who has lived abroad, demonstrates a modern outlook. He views his sister’s condition not as witchcraft but as an illness requiring care. He fights through hospital bureaucracy to visit her in the psychiatric ward and shows compassion by bringing her gifts to cheer her up. His approach is based on empathy and reason, not superstition. His silence about their grandfather’s death is not based on taboo but on a rational fear of worsening December’s fragile state.

The author uses this contrast to highlight the tension between two ways of interpreting reality. While tradition provides identity and continuity, it can also become rigid and harmful when it fails to explain or resolve crises. Modernity, represented by September, offers understanding, compassion, and practical solutions. The story therefore calls on readers to recognize the value of modern perspectives in addressing problems that tradition alone cannot solve.

In conclusion, December is not just the story of a young woman’s decline but a broader commentary on the clash between tradition and modernity. Through the conflict between Ezekiel and September, the author shows that societies trapped in superstition risk wasting the potential of their brightest members. True progress lies in balancing tradition with modern knowledge and compassion.