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"Kirinyaga"
by Mike Resnik

• Publishing Data • Preview • Background • Navigation Guide •
Publishing Data

Originally published in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, November 1988
Winner of a Hugo for Best Short Story
Incorporated into Kirinyaga (1998), a novel of the Kirinyaga settlement
Collected in Science Fiction: Stories and Contexts, ed. Heather Masri

Preview
The descendents of an African tribe migrate to the Eutopian world of Kirinyaga where the witch doctor's desire to observe ancient tribal customs conflicts with the ethos and morality of contemporary civilization.
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Background
  • Jomo Kenyatta (c. 1894-1978) is the founder of the African nation of Kenya; he served as its first prime minister and also its first president.
  • "uhuru" is Swahili for "freedom."
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Navigation Guide
Explain the concept behind the community of Kirinyaga.
Characterize Koriba. What is his role in the community? Do you admire him or not?
What is the relationship of Maintenance to Kirinyaga?
Why does Koriba strangle the baby? Why doesn't he just send the baby to Earth?
Does the fact that Koriba has and uses a computer undercut his commitment to his way of life?
Is Barbara Eaton being reasonable in her dealings with Koriba? Is Koriba's response to her reasonable?
What is Koriba planning to do with Ndemi and the other young boys? Is he in the right?
 
 
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