Les figures spatio-temporelles dans le roman africain subsaharien ...

ouvrage, Facing Mount Kenya avant d’analyser sa reprise sous la
forme romanesque par Ngugi wa Thiongo. Selon la version de Jomo
Kenyatta :
« According to the tribal legend, we are told that in the
beginning of things, when manking started to populate the
earth, the man Gikûyû, the founder of the tribe, was called by
the Mogai (the Divider of the Universe), and was given as his
share the land with ravines, the forests, the rivers, the game
and all the gifts that the Lord of Nature (Mogai) bestowed on
manking. At the same time Mogai made a big mountain which
he called Kere-Nyaga (Mount Kenya), as his resting-place when
on inspection tour, and as a sign of his wonders. He then took
the man Kikuyu to the top of the mountain of mystery, and
showed him the beauty of the country that Mogai had given
him. While still on the top of mountain, the Mogai pointed out to
the Gikûyû a spot full of fig-trees (mikoyo), right in the centre of
the country. After the Mogai had show the Gikûyû the
panorama of the wonderful land he had been given, he
commanded him to descend and establish his homestead on
the selected place which he named Mokorwe wa Gathanga.
Before they parted, Mogai told Gikûkû that, whenever he was
in need, he should make a sacrifice and raise his hands
towards Kere-Nyaga (the mountain of mystery), and the Lord of
Nature will come his assistance. » 547
547 La légende tribale raconte qu’au commencement des choses, lorsque
l’humanité commençait à peupler la terre, Gikuyu, fondateur de la tribu, fut
mandaté par Mogai (Créateur de l’univers). Il lui fut donné en possession ce
pays avec ses ravins, ses rivières, ses forêts, et tous les dons que le Seigneur
de la Nature octroyait à l’humanité. En même temps, Mogai fit surgir une
grande montagne qu’il appela Kéré-Nyaga (l’actuel mont Kenya), lieu de repos
durant ses voyages d’inspection, et témoigne de ses prodiges. Il fit monter
Gikuyu tout en haut de la montagne du mystère, lui fit admirer la beauté du
pays qu’il lui montra – juste au centre du pays – un endroit plein de figuiers
(Mikoyos). Il lui ordonna d’y établir son foyer et dénomma cet endroit
Mokorwe wa Gathanga. Avant de le quitter, il lui dit : "Si un jour tu es dans la
peine, fais un sacrifice et élève tes mains en direction de Kéré-Nyaga : le
Seigneur de la Nature viendra alors à ton secours". »
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