As a metaphor in regards to colonization, an eating disorder could represent the disintegration of the native’s self. An individual could rebel thru starvation: by not consuming on one’s native resources due to colonization giving control of these resources in the hands of strangers, they are not letting themselves become dominated. By not ingesting this subjugated food in the case of Ma’Shingayi, she is not allowing the subservience of her bodily control.
Another way of looking at eating disorders among Rhodesian women is that they have very little control over themselves with all their time and effort going towards their husband and children. Controlling one of the responsibilities handled by women, which is feeding the family, refusing to eat they could highlight how little concern is geared towards toward women. I actually feel that when the women leave the homestead as well as the mission, their disappearance is felt. However, when Maiguru leaves the mission “[i]f Babamukuru was unhappy about [it], he made a good job of concealing it” (174). So, even though this is a more radical decision, again there is no control over what will happen away from family and friends. It’s scary to most women. Starvation could be appealing because it puts more power into a woman’s hands and only she is able to lead towards a desired outcome.
Personally, I find that any theory as to what leads towards self-starvation to be a stretch or at least not consciously thought out. I don’t believe the characters are sitting there thinking of how others will directly react. It’s more of a passive resistance in a way and it is through discussions, such as this blog that really dredge up all the possibilities and speculations. In regards to Tambu, I don’t even think that she deeply contemplates as to why Nyasha and her mother are starving themselves. Yes, she does worry over their health, especially Nyasha’s mental state seen through one particular letter. I just don’t think it causes her to stop long enough to doubt her actions from furthering her education.
There are numerous ways to attempt in understanding of this metaphor. Your first example of a possible interpretation was also my understanding of it. I thought of Nyasha's body as representing the colonized territory, and her starvation as the refusal of the colonized individual to be controlled by resources no longer under their own control. But this wasn't satisfying because I don't see Nyasha or Ma’Shingayi's eating disorders as a very rebellious act against colonization, nor did see that the metaphor concerned the exploitation of resources in Africa. If anything, it represented colonization's ability to weaken individuals who resist and question it. If you are to question colonization it will break your mind, sap your energy, and either deplete your motivation to live, as in Ma'Shingavi's case, or drive you to near insanity, as is the case for Nyasha. Tambu's is skeptical of the benefits of education and Nyasha, while she values her education, is skeptical of the fashion in which it is instituted. Tambu sees both these perspectives, yet she is head strong, she can consciously decide to drive thoughts from her head. She is dialed in on her dreams of status and wealth, if she must, she will even drive out the guilt of not helping her cousin to more effectively concentrate on her studies. When it is convenient for her to help she'll do so readily, she does care for her cousin deeply, but nothing comes before her education. "I told myself I was a much more sensible person than Nyasha, because I knew what could or couldn't be done. In this way, I banished the suspicion, buried it in the depths of my subconscious, and happily returned to Sacred Heart." (last page) I think Tambu could see the rebellion in her cousin's eating disorder, but she knows it is irrational, and not just the strategy, but the idea of attempting to rebel against colonialism in any form. For her, this can't be done. Though there is hint in the last paragraph that she headed for a different perception in adulthood and mentions her "mind began to assert itself, to question things and refused to be brainwashed..." We shall see in 'The Book of Not' if this is healthy development for Tambu.
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