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summary

Speaking as a farmer, the narrator describes in some detail the various factors causing land degradation and the decline in numbers of livestock. As a blacksmith he also talks about some people’s hostile attitudes to blacksmithing and artisanship, and expresses pride in his profession.

detailed breakdown

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Section 1-2	Past and present farming conditions. Over-cultivation of the land because of population growth has exhausted its fertility. Sharp drop in numbers of livestock; livestock diseases. Changes in management of grazing land – formerly, white grass grown on the fallow land.
Section 3	No medical facilities in local area but access to peripatetic services. Benefits of education, new schools in each locality: “I think everyone, young and old, will be enlightened in this way.”
Section 4	Explains Senbetie, Qire and Iqub– community institutions weaker now than in the past. Increase in incidence of divorce and effect on children: “longing for the separated parent makes them weep all the time”.
Section 5	Prejudicial attitudes towards blacksmiths – based on ignorance and malicious gossip. Greater equality between men and women owing to education: “Now …if [the wife] suggests something, [the husband] accepts it with appreciation.”
Section 6-7	Meket people are “not as enlightened as other people, hence we are poor.” Blacksmithing as a profession – learnt the trade from his father and now intending to do further training.
Section 8	Communications – time taken to walk to farm and church. Contact with other places since building of the Chinese road. Travel to clinic (in another village) by mule or horse.
Section 9	Views on reasons for spread of AIDS, government campaigns on AIDS. Importance of birth control and limiting size of families.
Section 10	Changes in food consumption – children and adults more often emaciated than before.