Themes

One of the major themes in Okot p' Bitek's, Song of Lawino, is that of tradition versus modernization..... the loss of culture at the expense of progress. On the one hand, Ocol has a negative view of Africans and their culture. He believes that tradition is holding back the people. Lawino, on the other hand, tries to show Ocol the positive aspects of their culture. The two clash literally, physically, and philosophically to present this theme.