Africa has lost a literary giant: Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o dies at 87

Kenya and the world are mourning the passing of Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, one of Africa’s most celebrated literary voices.

His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ, confirmed his death on Wednesday morning, noting that the family was heartbroken, but grateful for a life “fully lived.”

“He lived a full life, fought a good fight,” she said.

Born in 1938 in Kamiriithu, Limuru, Ngũgĩ rose from humble beginnings to become a global literary icon, fiercely dedicated to telling African stories through African eyes--and, eventually, African languages.

Prof Ngũgĩ leaves behind a vast library of work that transformed African literature. His debut novel, ‘Weep Not, Child’ (1964), was the first English novel published by an East African. Set during the Mau Mau uprising, it captured the trauma of colonialism through the eyes of a young boy.

This was followed by ‘The River Between’ (1965), a lyrical exploration of tradition versus modernity, and ‘A Grain of Wheat’ (1967), a complex, multi-perspective novel that examined betrayal and resistance on the eve of Kenya’s independence.

By the 1970s, Ngũgĩ had sharpened his political voice. His novel ‘Petals of Blood’ (1977) delivered a blistering critique of post-independence Kenya and led to his detention without trial. While in prison, he famously wrote ‘Devil on the Cross’ (1980) in Gikuyu, using toilet paper and a borrowed pencil--symbolizing his break from colonial language and his commitment to indigenous expression.

His other monumental works include ‘Matigari’ (1986)- a fable of revolution and false independence, ‘Wizard of the Crow’ (2006) – a satirical epic set in the fictional African nation of Aburĩria, and ‘Decolonising the Mind’ (1986) – a powerful essay collection defending African languages

Dreams in a Time of War (2010) – his memoir on growing up during colonial rule.

Prof Ngũgĩ was also a fearless activist and scholar. In 1977, he co-wrote the play ‘Ngaahika Ndeenda’ ("I Will Marry When I Want") with Ngũgĩ wa Mirii, performed in Gikuyu by peasants and workers. The government saw it as subversive. He was arrested and imprisoned at Kamiti Maximum Prison for a year.

He later went into exile, continuing to teach and write from the US, notably at the University of California, Irvine. Despite decades abroad, Ngũgĩ always remained spiritually tethered to Kenya and to Africa.

In a moving message, his family said his wish was not for mourning, but for celebration. Plans for a memorial service will be announced by his son, Nducu wa Ngũgĩ, in due course.

“He taught us that language is power, and storytelling is resistance.”

Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s voice may be silent now, but his words will echo for generations to come.

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