This African proverb highlights the impact of colonization and the cultural and spiritual conflicts that often accompany it. It suggests that when colonizers arrived, they introduced their religious beliefs (symbolized by the Bible) while taking control of the land that belonged to the indigenous people. The act of closing one’s eyes to pray signifies a moment of vulnerability and trust, but upon reopening them, the indigenous people found themselves in a position of loss—receiving the Bible (representing foreign beliefs and values) while losing their land (symbolizing their cultural identity and autonomy).
Ultimately, the proverb serves as a critique of colonialism, illustrating how power dynamics can lead to exploitation, where the colonizers impose their beliefs and take resources while the colonized people are left with little. It conveys a broader message about the complexities of power, faith, and identity in the context of colonial history.
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