The Jidada Defenders
The author, to symbolize police brutality figuratively, uses the Jidada Defenders. Animals in the Jidada Nation are forced to obey the authorities without question. The incumbent president, Old Horse, is brutal, and he uses the police to frustrate whoever tries to criticize his administration. The author writes, "The Jidada Defenders by nature are violent, morbid beasts, and notorious." When some animals try to get out of the Jidada Squire, citing frustration of the long wait, they are brutally faced with the Jidada Defenders. The frustrated animals have no option but to return to the squire miserably with tails between their legs.
The Old Horse as a symbol of dictatorship
The Old Horse symbolizes dictatorship by incumbent African leaders. To be specific, Old Horse represents Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, who is old but does not want to get out of power. Mugabe wants to die while in office as a president, and he plans to be replaced by his wife. In the novel, a donkey called Marvelous or Dr. Sweet Mother represents Mugabe’s wife. The citizens were fed up with Old Horse's leadership, and the country underwent a bloodless couple to remove the incumbent president from power in 2017. His vice president, Mr. Tuvius, replaces the old Horse, and the animals are hopeful that the future will be bright.
The white tent
The white tent inside the Jidada Square symbolizes the disparity between the rich and the poor. When the president arrives in the Jidada Squire after a long wait, he is ushered in the white tent to sit alongside the powerful ruling party members. The guests in the white tent show a sign of mighty from the expensive wear, jewelry, and other precious accessories. Additionally, the guests in the white tent are healthy, showing that they have everything in life. On the field are the animals under the scorching sun; most are hungry, tired, and hopeless. Consequently, the luxury of the president and his guests shows the true picture of the disparity between the wealthy and the ordinary animals in the Jidada nation.
