The book Nervous Conditions takes place in Rhodesia, modern day Zimbabwe. It takes place there because it follows the narrator Tambu whose journey starts at her homestead. Rhodesia was a region in south-central Africa that was administered by the British South Africa Company and was named after the British colonial administrator Cecil Rhodes. The state was exploited for its gold, copper and coal. Due to British colonization “In the 20th century, Christian mission schools exercised much influence in the country.” This action can be seen in the book as mission schools were the way most of the characters in the book such as Babamukuru, Maiguru, Chido, Nyasha, Nhamo, and Tambu get their education.
Understanding the history of Rhodesia explains why education was a huge aspect to most of the characters. These mission schools that were brought by the British pushed ideas that attending these schools was the only way for the people of Rhodesia to have access to power and a way of surviving. It also highlights why characters like Nyasha have a battle with her identity. Having European values being pushed onto African communities leads to a disconnect of truly feeling a sense of belonging due to having to live up to the expectations of both cultural norms.
Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous conditions: A novel. Graywolf Press, 2021.
Britannica. “Zimbabwe | History - Geography.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/place/Zimbabwe.
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