Tributes pour in for Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
Kenyan activists and journalists are paying tribute to Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, a celebrated author and scholar who passed away at the age of 87 in Buford, Georgia. His daughter, Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ, announced his death, emphasizing that he “lived a full life, fought a good fight.” Born James Ngugi on January 5, 1938, in Kamirithu, Kenya, Ngũgĩ was a towering figure in African literature and a staunch advocate for cultural decolonization. His early works, including "Weep Not, Child," "The River Between," and "A Grain of Wheat," explored the complexities of Kenya's colonial and post-colonial experiences.
In 1977, Ngũgĩ co-authored the play "Ngaahika Ndeenda," which led to his arrest and a year-long detention without charges. During this time, he famously wrote "Devil on the Cross" on toilet paper, marking a pivotal shift in his commitment to writing in indigenous languages. After his release, he went into exile in 1982, living in the United States and teaching at institutions like the University of California, Irvine. He continued to advocate for African languages, producing influential works such as "Decolonising the Mind" and "Wizard of the Crow."
Ngũgĩ's unwavering dedication to linguistic and cultural authenticity earned him global recognition, though he never received the Nobel Prize, despite being a perennial contender. His legacy endures through his extensive body of work and profound impact on African literature and thought. Tributes have poured in from around the world, with Kenyan President William Ruto praising him as a “towering giant of Kenyan letters,” and opposition leader Raila Odinga describing him as a fallen African giant. Ngũgĩ's influence continues to inspire generations across Africa and beyond.
