Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism and emotional abuse.

Lawino starts by establishing that Ocol, her husband, is rejecting her in verbally abusive ways. Ocol sees Lawino as a “primitive” emblem of Acholi culture, which he seeks to distance himself from in favor of a more European lifestyle. In addition to insulting Lawino, he insults her parents and other community members, using white supremacist language to demean them. Lawino warns Ocol that this behavior does not befit his status as the son of a chief and that he should stop.

Ocol has begun an affair with Clementine, a woman who has also adopted European mannerisms and customs. Lawino reflects that she used to be impressed by Ocol learning to speak English and reminisces about when they were close as a couple. She says that Clementine is trying very hard to look like a white woman but that these attempts only make her look strange; red lipstick and white powder do not suit Clementine’s complexion, making her look “sickly” to Lawino. Lawino claims that she is not trying to personally attack Clementine by making these observations but that she simply feels sorry for Clementine whenever she sees her.