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Man in a Mud Hut
An uninvited 'ferret' from Whitehall, dark deeds in the 'heart of darkness', escape from bloody terror and black magic - a true story that shocks the sensibilities and staggers the imagination... West Africa is the setting for MAN IN A MUD HUT, an intriguing story of witchcraft, wizardry, water resources and Whitehall bureaucracy. It is the gripping true account of a clash of cultures and what can happen when preconceived western ideas collide with the raw reality that is rural Africa. MAN IN A MUD HUT tells the story of Desmond Parkis, who was sent from London to find out why a taxpayer-funded aid project in Nigeria was going wrong. Pitched head-first into a culture alien to anything he had experienced before, Desmond uncovered much more than expected; a snake pit of corruption, extortion, murder and evil that threatened to devour him with primal forces beyond comprehension. Tasked with Desmond's safety, the author diverted attention from his own rural development work to extract his reluctant house-guest from danger and immerse him in the rich culture of African village life while he recovered. His engagement with the villagers, including a team of masons, an argumentative butcher, an ingenious blacksmith and a witch-doctor who looked into his soul and ministered to his afflictions, gave Desmond a very different view of Africa and new respect for its people by the time he finally left. Rural development work in the 1970s forms the backdrop to Ian Mathie's gripping narrative. MAN IN A MUD HUT opens a window on a changing world where age-old customs and practices coexist with new methods and technology, where Land Rovers share roads with donkey carts, where the sound of Beethoven symphonies echoes across the parched bush landscape and appeasement of the spirits is an everyday necessity. MAN IN A MUD HUT is as engaging as it is eye-opening, a juxtaposition of the bizarre and the unusual with the essential humanity of people whatever their colour, language or background.
282 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 8, 2012
Seldom do all the elements come together so well to produce a story rich with suspense and drama floating in a sea of valuable lessons and insights. Ian Mathie’s memoir, Man in a Mud Hut is such a book. Ian makes masterful use of his evolving relationship with Desmond Parkis to enlighten the reader about conditions and culture in Upper Volta, Mali and Nigeria in the 1970s so subtly we hardly know we’re learning.
Desmond, a “government ferret from London,” was sent by management in the home office to conduct on-site investigation of projects in West Africa to ensure tax payer funds were being well-used. Desmond’s reluctance to experience the primitive living conditions was equaled by Ian’s reluctance to be slowed down by a “tourist” — an attitude apparent on the first page. However, he takes advantage of opportunities at every turn to instill some of his own deep respect and passion for the wisdom and organic functionality of tribal customs in Desmond. As he explores everything from the well Mathie is helping the villagers deepen as a source of safe water to Mathie’s make-shift shower, and people ranging from the village witch doctor to the next-door-lad who adopts him, Desmond gradually does begin to get the picture.
Some of these incidents are harrowing, especially to Desmond, as he uncovers conditions in a project in Nigeria that “appeared to have gone off the rails” and give him good reason to fear for his life. Almost immediately after his escape, he nearly loses his life to an infection so severe he can’t be airlifted out. Other excitement includes factors like scorpion bites, snakes in showers, blown out airplane tires, nights in jail, and village festivals, complete with the witch-doctor. All of the incidents combine to dramatically convey a sense of the hearts and lives of the tribal people in Anéhigouya and the surrounding region. Without saying as much, Mathie quietly leads readers to examine their own attitudes about cultural differences around the world.
While the combination of thrilling adventure and insight into human nature make this a must-read for anyone, students of memoir will find a bonus. The book is an outstanding example of a story with many layers and threads, seamlessly combined into an organic whole. The reader’s education progresses in tandem with the relationship between the two men, each element enhancing the other.
Desmond, a “government ferret from London,” was sent by management in the home office to conduct on-site investigation of projects in West Africa to ensure tax payer funds were being well-used. Desmond’s reluctance to experience the primitive living conditions was equaled by Ian’s reluctance to be slowed down by a “tourist” — an attitude apparent on the first page. However, he takes advantage of opportunities at every turn to instill some of his own deep respect and passion for the wisdom and organic functionality of tribal customs in Desmond. As he explores everything from the well Mathie is helping the villagers deepen as a source of safe water to Mathie’s make-shift shower, and people ranging from the village witch doctor to the next-door-lad who adopts him, Desmond gradually does begin to get the picture.
Some of these incidents are harrowing, especially to Desmond, as he uncovers conditions in a project in Nigeria that “appeared to have gone off the rails” and give him good reason to fear for his life. Almost immediately after his escape, he nearly loses his life to an infection so severe he can’t be airlifted out. Other excitement includes factors like scorpion bites, snakes in showers, blown out airplane tires, nights in jail, and village festivals, complete with the witch-doctor. All of the incidents combine to dramatically convey a sense of the hearts and lives of the tribal people in Anéhigouya and the surrounding region. Without saying as much, Mathie quietly leads readers to examine their own attitudes about cultural differences around the world.
While the combination of thrilling adventure and insight into human nature make this a must-read for anyone, students of memoir will find a bonus. The book is an outstanding example of a story with many layers and threads, seamlessly combined into an organic whole. The reader’s education progresses in tandem with the relationship between the two men, each element enhancing the other.
March 26, 2015
What's Life Really Like in a Mud Hut?
With his exceptional “visual” writing. Ian Mathie is able to transport his readers into his African mud hut, sharing meals, local brews and conversations.
Mathie describes his everyday life, both work and relaxation with Desmond Parkis, a "government ferret from London," who is on a business assignment in West Africa for the first time.
We experience the primitive lifestyle through the eyes of Desmond’s initial disgust, and gradually warm up to the subtle transformation that takes place within Desmond, after numerous dramatic incidents.
At one point I could hear and feel the swarm of locusts entering Mathie’s village, destroying everything they could chomp on, including the roof on his mud hut.
Mathie’s memoir will take you on a journey of life in Upper Volta, Mali and Nigeria, and make you think about how people adapt to cultural differences around the world.
I have now enjoyed two of Mathie’s memoirs, and look forward to starting the next one on my list.
October 11, 2012
Like Ian's previous books, The Man of Passage and Bride Price, Man in a Mud Hut gives a brilliant insight into life in deepest, darkest Africa.
Man in a Mud Hut tells the story of Desmond Parkis who is transported to Africa to report back to "the powers that be" in the British Government that are funding a project in Nigeria. Desmond stops off to visit Ian and much to his shock and surprise his adventures begin.
Man in a Mud Hut takes you along on Desmond's trip and immerses you into the color and culture that is part of the African way of life, from the frustration of bureaucratic red tape to the very unnerving encounters with the "witch doctor", this is a book that will delight you to the very last word and then leave you wanting more.
Man in a Mud Hut tells the story of Desmond Parkis who is transported to Africa to report back to "the powers that be" in the British Government that are funding a project in Nigeria. Desmond stops off to visit Ian and much to his shock and surprise his adventures begin.
Man in a Mud Hut takes you along on Desmond's trip and immerses you into the color and culture that is part of the African way of life, from the frustration of bureaucratic red tape to the very unnerving encounters with the "witch doctor", this is a book that will delight you to the very last word and then leave you wanting more.
February 26, 2012
At first I thought Desmond was going to be a villain, but he turned out to be something of a hero for adapting to the native lifestyle adopted by his host, Ian Mathie. This is a grand picture of Africa as it once was by someone who knows it from the inside and has its interests at heart. The account of the visit of a Man from the Ministry could be a non-page-turner - but not this one. There are surprises at every turn and as well as adventures to enliven Desmond's rite of passage into this other world.
November 24, 2012
I'm still not convinced some of the more outlandish tales in this rather smug memoir haven't been embellished somewhat. The author revels in enlightening his hapless desk-rat colleague to the "native" ways of, what seems to me, an over-romanticised version of life in an African village. Still it's quite a fun ride, if you can get over the urge to occasionally want to punch Mr. Mathie for his annoyingly affable but patronising tone...
August 28, 2012
Ian Mathie continues his fascinating account of living in Africa in the 1970's with the story of Desmond, a British accountant.
The stories of village life are so interesting - a whole new culture for me - yet Mathie's story-telling takes it all in stride.
Great stuff - this non-fiction has the same appeal as fiction.
The stories of village life are so interesting - a whole new culture for me - yet Mathie's story-telling takes it all in stride.
Great stuff - this non-fiction has the same appeal as fiction.
February 12, 2014
this book shows that development work done by a sympathetic and utterly knowledgeable person really works. a really well written book showing what life in rural Africa was like and I suspect is still like in many areas. the stories would make an excellent television series
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews