Sons of the Soil: Representation of Ecological Masculinity in Oil on Water: A Novel

Abstract

The relationship between man and environment has been a topic for critical debate ever since ecocriticism entered the arena of literary discourse. The apocalyptic future of the universe has been seriously dealt with in recent global literature. Masculine hegemony and the toxic effects it unleashed upon nature and environment are well portrayed and exposed by ecocritical readings in general and ecofeminists in particular. Dominance in the name of culture, religion, development, modernisation, etc., must be addressed if we are to save Mother Earth. Hence, it has become imperative that masculine hegemony be replaced by a theoretical praxis that can advance gender equality and environmental justice. Even though the ecofeminist thinkers have thrown light upon the oppressive gender practice of patriarchy, they have ignored the rise of ecological masculinity as a counter force against masculine hegemony. Ecological masculinity is inherently egalitarian, pro-feminist, pro- environmental and progressive in ethos and spirit. This paper reads Oil on Water: A Novel by Helon Habila in the light of ecological masculinity. The destruction of the environment in the Niger Delta is presented in the novel within the backdrop of the large-scale oil extraction and the forced evictions of the native communities when oil companies encroach into their villages for drilling. It illustrates the environmental and human costs of resource extraction in the corrupt, postcolonial Africa in a subtle manner. The paper seeks to analyse the issue from the perspective of ecological masculinity, in relation to the leaders, chiefs, of the village of Ikirefe as presented in the novel, and in line with the first-hand experiences of the two journalist protagonists. Characters like Chief Ibiram and Chief Malabo exhibit conspicuous traits of ecological masculinity. They stand for protecting the environment and the survival of their communities.