Abandonment:

Although Alobwed’Epie portrays love and compassion in the novel, he also explores the theme of abandonment through the actions of the Muabag community. We see Emade complaining about how Méchane was left to suffer alone when she was seriously ill. She also feels abandoned when she stays behind after Méchane’s burial to blacken her grave while the other members of the community leave. This experience makes Emade criticise the Muabag people as individuals who are more concerned with satisfying their physical needs ( food and personal  satisfaction) than with showing genuine care and compassion.

This is evident when Emade says on page 43:

“When Mechane was sick how many times did your mother visit her?… What did you choose for her to eat? Now that you are at the service of your throat, you are choosing where she has to be buried.”

Through this statement, Emade exposes the hypocrisy of the community. The people who neglected Méchane during her illness suddenly become concerned about her burial ( the place) after her death. The theme of abandonment therefore reveals the lack of compassion within the community and also contributes to Emade’s conflict with the people around her.