How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Then Tendai understood that they wanted to know his totems, the mutupo of his father and chidao of his mother. This was a custom that had almost entirely died out in modern Harare. It was rather like the English custom of shaking hands: the original use was to find out whether your visitor was armed. (16.14)
We think we'll stick with just shaking hands next time. Totems are a link to someone's heritage and luck, and they also offer up a glimpse of how things were done in the olden days. Instead of merely greeting with a friendly "hey" and your name, you'd also have to share something about your family's heritage.
Quote #5
I'm a fool, he thought. This is a traditional village. These people can't go to a restaurant for lunch. They have to hunt. But he couldn't help feeling sorry. (19.17)
Tendai has a tough time adjusting to life in Resthaven—although not nearly as tough as Rita. He thought his life was chock-full of traditional ways before, but now he realizes just how old-timey these people are. This makes him miss home all the more. Who wouldn't when they own a robot?
Quote #6
"Much of Africa was being overlaid by European customs. It seemed—then—that our culture would be destroyed by the outside world. And so Resthaven was created." (21.9)
It's no coincidence that Resthaven caters to a more traditional lifestyle. After all, that's its purpose in the first place: It was created to preserve the culture and customs of the African people. Hey, we can get behind that. But we can't help but wonder whether all traditions are equally helpful.