The old chief mshianga. by doris lessing

 The Old Chief Mshlanga –

 A Reflection on Colonial Encounters 

Doris Lessing’s short story “The Old Chief Mshlanga” is a powerful exploration of colonialism, identity, and awakening. Set in colonial Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), the story captures the subtle but deeply painful clash between European settlers and the indigenous African people whose land and traditions were disrupted 

A Story of Innocence and Awakening :

The story is told through the eyes of a young white girl, growing up on her family’s farm in Africa. At first, she reflects the colonial mindset she inherits—seeing Africans as distant, voiceless laborers, useful only in the background of her world. She roams freely across the land, treating it as her playground without realizing it once belonged to others.

Everything changes when she encounters Old Chief Mshlanga. He is not like the silent farm workers she has known. Instead, he carries dignity, wisdom, and quiet authority. For the first time, she recognizes the humanity and depth of the people her family has displaced. This meeting plants the seeds of empathy and a moral awakening within her.

Themes of the Story

1. Colonialism and Displacement – The farm symbolizes the European settlers’ appropriation of African land. The Chief represents a fading world—leaders and traditions pushed aside by foreign control.

2. Loss of Innocence – The girl’s journey mirrors a moral education. She begins with ignorance but slowly develops awareness of injustice.

3. Dignity and Resistance – Old Chief Mshlanga’s presence conveys a silent resistance to colonial dominance. He may not fight with weapons, but his very identity and heritage challenge the colonial narrative 

Narrative :-

Doris Lessing’s “The Old Chief Mshlanga” is set in colonial Africa and follows the story of a young white girl living on her family’s farm. At first, she sees the African workers as background figures—silent, nameless, and without individuality. She wanders freely over the land, believing it belongs entirely to her family.

Her worldview changes when she encounters Old Chief Mshlanga, the dignified leader of a local tribe. Unlike the laborers she knows, the Chief carries quiet authority, history, and self-respect. Through this meeting, the girl realizes that the land and people around her have a deeper meaning and that her childhood innocence is entwined with the reality of colonial injustice.

Emotions

The story stirs a range of emotions. At first, there is indifference and superiority—the young girl sees Africans as part of the scenery. But as she meets Old Chief Mshlanga, a sense of respect and empathy begins to replace her earlier ignorance. For readers, the emotions shift from discomfort at the colonial mindset to admiration for the Chief’s dignity and to sorrow at the quiet loss of a culture being pushed aside.

The emotional core lies in the girl’s awakening—the painful realization that the world is not as simple as she once thought. This blend of guilt, respect, and new awareness captures the conflict of colonial encounters 

Conclusion

In the end, “The Old Chief Mshlanga” is not just a story about a girl and a Chief—it is about the awakening of conscience in a world scarred by colonial power. Lessing shows how empathy can break barriers, but also how history cannot be erased. The story leaves us with a lasting question: How do we see others—through the lens of prejudice or through the truth of their humanity?