Ngugi wa Thiong'o Moving the Center

[unfortunatebeam]

I loved a Grain of Wheat. I want to read more by him; I'm deeply interested in African history and culture., and what are all the factors involved in why it was become the poorest and most war torn area on the Earth. Does anyone have any good reading suggetions or otherwise that explains the reasons for the current political/social/economic situation of the more troubled countries of Africa?

[agentfrenzykaka]

Great African thinker...What would the fate of Europe have been, if Africa conquered and colonized Europe? Perhaps, African Languages, and Gods would have been enforced into the European consciousness. Africans have to decolonize their minds. Slavery in the past was physical, in this century slavery is psychological ! I comment from Nigeria.

[rabet03]

Knowing I will be bashed anyway, While other African literary giants like Soyinka and Achebe speak English without a prominent accent, how come Ngugi speaks Kikuyu-English? "Fakoti (faculty), Hoteo (hotel)" How come?

[mwendapolee]

@rabet03 either its soooo rooted in his speech that he cant do otherwise or his proud of it n wants 2 be identified with it!!!

[planetolusola]

Ngugi Wa Thiong's of the African literature series. A literary giant of our time.

"Weep not my child, weep not my darling. With these kisses let me wipe away your tears"

[jorgetafi]

Which is the correct pronunciation of his name?

[YinYangTzu]

N - Googi Wah  Thee-on-go

I believe

[ibrugger]

@YinYangTzu, my English teacher says the 'N' is not pronounced.

[YinYangTzu]

@ibrugger fair enough, thanks for clarification!

[bensmith3200]

"Petals of Blood" is one of the most powerful books I've ever read.

[kimaniZZ]

What i Like with Reading ngugi work is that he is so deep. Ngugi impact in Africa may not be realize in near future but his work will guide the leadership that will propel Africa back to her greatness

[Damunyeusi]

Congrats, Prof!! This is work of great erudition. We shoudn't blame "tribe" for the current strife in most parts of Africa. "Tribes" existed in Africa long before the advent of colonization and colonialism but at least communities existed in relative peace! The arbitrary colonial and colonialistic drawing of boundaries and the introduction of tribalism is what ail Africa. This is exacerbated by African leaders who have negatively used "tribes" for selfish political mileage. Peace!!

[jobitek]

The fact that we remain embroiled in arguments that evoke tribe as a bad thing means that we have not moved away from the blanket demonizing of the colonial thinking that associates tribe with all things negative wa Thiongo recognizes the power of celebrating who we are, but he is not blind to the tribalism that has strangulated contemporary Africa. What did you think, wanelly, of Wizard of the Crow? Did you enjoy the kisheng? I certainly did.

[Africanmistress29]

Ngugi is terrific! I hope to meet him one day.

[kindu2006]

A man who, in his own unique way, has changed my life!

[jobitek]

Ngugi wa Thiongo continues to champion our need to speak ourselves into existence. Power and language to him and to us all.

[wanelly]

I respect the professor's perception but i question the application of his stance to the welfare of Africans. The ills of Africa have their backbone on tribe. Therefore, we should cater in unilateral elimination tribal grouping which would improve the situation in Africa.

[biorhazard]

we can't simply eliminate the concept of tribe as it's the backbone of our individual identities and without it we can't maintain our cultures. we won't have a cultural identity but we have to take and forge other cultures into whatever works for us....

[kahunyokahwai]

Are you a Kenyan by any chance?

Each tribe is/was a language & each tribe was a state.

The problem is:

1. That the colonialists managed to draw very sharp edges btn the tribes.

2. They demonized and inferriorized the native languages so their language can be supreme.

[kahunyokahwai]

Languages or tribes have no problem the problem is how we use them to create an aura of superiority against the other.

If u r a Kenyan, go to YouTube. Search for the -Swahili mass in mass I & II

There is no mother tongue that is more superior than the other (Ambassador R Ogego)