The Gentlemen of the Jungle
by Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyatta's fable reads as a political allegory of European colonisation in Africa: an elephant asks his human friend for a little shelter from a storm, then seizes the whole hut, and a Lion-appointed commission of animals blesses the theft as putting 'undeveloped space' to good use. Each new hut the man builds is taken over by another 'gentleman' of the jungle, until he outwits them all and burns them inside one last hut. Behind the animal comedy lies the story of the Kikuyu people and the hard truth that peace can be costly.
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In this political fable, Jomo Kenyatta uses the story of a man and an elephant to satirize the colonial expansion of European powers in Africa. It begins with an elephant asking his human friend for a small favor: to put his trunk inside the man's hut during a thunderstorm. This simple request leads to the elephant's complete occupation of the hut, flinging the man into the rain. When the man protests, the Lion, King of the Jungle, appoints a Commission of Enquiry composed entirely of animals (Rhinoceros, Buffalo, Alligator, Fox, and Leopard). The biased commission rules in favor of the elephant, claiming he was putting "undeveloped space" to "economic use." The man is repeatedly displaced as more "gentlemen" occupy his subsequent huts. Finally, the man builds a large hut, traps all the "lords" inside, and burns it down. He achieves a "costly peace," reflecting the necessity of resistance against exploitation.
Detailed Summary
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The Gentleman Of The Jungle | 3D Animated Detailed Summary | 1st PUC Karnataka Board
"The Gentlemen of the Jungle" is a sharp political allegory reflecting the experiences of the Kikuyu people of Kenya during the era of European expansion. In the late nineteenth century, European powers partitioned Africa using superior weaponry and legal treaties that African chiefs found incomprehensible. Jomo Kenyatta portrays this historical injustice through a fable where animals represent the colonizers and a man represents the indigenous people.
A favour that becomes an occupation
The narrative begins with a friendship between a man and an elephant. During a torrential hailstorm, the elephant approaches the man’s small hut and asks a favor: "My dear good man, will you please let me put my trunk inside your hut to keep it out of this torrential rain?" The man, out of kindness and a sense of duty to his friend, agrees, despite the hut being tiny. However, the elephant’s "favor" is a deception. As soon as the trunk is inside, the elephant pushes his head in and finally flings the man out into the rain. The elephant justifies this by claiming his skin is more delicate than the man’s and that he is protecting himself from the hailstorm.
The man begins to grumble and argue, which attracts the attention of other forest animals. In the midst of the turmoil, the Lion, the King of the Jungle, arrives roaring. He demands to know who is disturbing the peace of his kingdom. The elephant, who is a high minister in the jungle kingdom, uses a soothing voice to explain that he was merely having a "little discussion" with his friend regarding the possession of the hut. To maintain "peace and tranquillity," the Lion commands his ministers to appoint a Commission of Enquiry to investigate the matter thoroughly. He uses "sweet words" to reassure the man, telling him he is lucky to be friends with an honorable minister like the elephant and promising that the commission will provide plenty of opportunity to state his case.
The biased Commission of Enquiry
The Commission of Enquiry is formed, consisting of Mr. Rhinoceros, Mr. Buffalo, Mr. Alligator, the Rt. Hon. Mr. Fox (Chairman), and Mr. Leopard (Secretary). The man immediately protests the lack of human representation on the panel. He is told that it is "impossible" to include a human because no one from his side is "well enough educated" to understand the intricacies of jungle law. He is further assured that the members are "gentlemen chosen by God" to look after the interests of races less adequately endowed with teeth and claws.
When the commission sits to take evidence, the elephant is called first. He arrives with a "superior air," brushing his tusks with a sapling provided by Mrs. Elephant. He speaks in an authoritative voice, claiming that he didn’t occupy the hut but rather saved it from being blown away by a "hurricane." He argues that because the hurricane had gained access through the "unoccupied space" in the hut, he felt it was his "sacred duty" to turn that undeveloped space to a more "economic use" by sitting in it himself. Mr. Hyena and other elders of the jungle are called as witnesses, and they all support the elephant’s account. When the man attempts to give his account, the commission cuts him short, demanding he only answer if the space was occupied before the elephant arrived.
The commission retires to enjoy a "delicious meal" provided at the elephant’s expense before delivering their verdict. They conclude that the dispute arose from the man’s "backwardness of ideas." They rule that the elephant shall continue to occupy the current hut, but the man is given "permission" to find a site to build another hut, where they promise he will be "well protected." Fearing the "teeth and claws" of the commission members, the man has no choice but to comply.
The cycle of displacement and the man's resistance
This starts a cycle of displacement. As soon as the man builds a second hut, Mr. Rhinoceros charges in and orders him to quit. A Royal Commission is again appointed, and the same finding is given. This procedure repeats until Mr. Buffalo, Mr. Leopard, Mr. Hyena, and all the other "jungle lords" are accommodated with new huts. The man realizes that Commissions of Enquiry are useless tools of oppression. He sits down and remembers a Kikuyu proverb: "Ng-enda thi ndeagaga motegi," which means "there is nothing that treads on the earth that cannot be trapped."
Deciding on a new strategy, the man builds a much bigger and better hut a little distance away. As expected, the "lords" rush in to claim it. Mr. Rhinoceros finds the elephant already asleep inside; soon, the Leopard, Lion, Fox, and Buffalo all crowd in, while the Hyena howls for shade and the Alligator basks on the roof. They begin to fight over "rights of penetration." While they are embroiled in combat, the man sets the hut on fire and burns it to the ground, killing all the "gentlemen" inside. He concludes, "Peace is costly, but it’s worth the expense," and finally lives in peace.