URMAAL: A POIGNANT TALE OF EXPLOITATION, RESILIENCE, AND HISTORY
INTRODUCTION Chuden Kabimo’s novel Urmaal is a powerful exploration of history, culture, and the lived realities of tea plantation workers. Written with a deep sense of empathy, the novel brings forth the struggles and resilience of those who have long been subjected to systemic exploitation. Kabimo, known for his ability to weave historical narratives with fiction, creates a world where the voices of the marginalized take center stage. Set against the backdrop of the tea industry, Urmaal exposes the harsh conditions faced by plantation workers. These laborers, whose contributions are essential to the thriving tea trade, often find themselves trapped in cycles of poverty, forced labor, and social discrimination. The novel paints a vivid picture of their lives, not just in terms of their suffering, but also their strength, endurance, and the ways they navigate an oppressive system. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its blend of oral history, folklore, and realism....
