Ngugi wa Thiong’o, a titan of modern African literature, passed away at 87, leaving a legacy that spanned over six decades. His works captured the shift from colonial subjugation to democracy, highlighting the struggles of his people. Born in 1938 in colonial Kenya, Ngugi faced profound personal trauma from the Mau Mau Uprising, including the loss of family members to violence.
His literary career began with “Weep Not, Child,” released in 1964, which was the first major novel by an East African author. Notably, Ngugi later rejected writing in English, opting instead to use his native Kikuyu to assert cultural identity. His 1977 novel, “Petals of Blood,” critiqued the Kenyan elite and led to his imprisonment for political activism.
After a year in prison, he entered a long self-imposed exile, returning to Kenya two decades later only to face violence again. Throughout his life, Ngugi championed literature in African languages, arguing against the dominance of colonial languages. He also experienced health issues later in life, including a battle with prostate cancer.
Ngugi is remembered not only as a formidable writer but also as a passionate advocate for the literary representation of African identities.
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