Perspectives

This part will help you discuss the short story “They Sold My Sister” by Leteipa Ole Sunkuli by looking at current issues, literary period, and similar short stories. These perspectives will add to your understanding of the text and its themes.

Current issues

Leteipa Ole Sunkuli’s short story was published in 1989 and illustrates issues related to the Maasai culture during those days—the conflict between local customs and traditions, generational change, and Western influence. The same conflicts persist today. The Maasai people remain a patriarchal (male-dominated) society, many of them continue to practise female circumcision and arranged marriages, and women are still expected to have many children because a man’s wealth is measured in cattle and children. This suggests that although the story was published 30 years ago, many of the issues it touches upon remain relevant today. However, some Maasai gro...