Discussion - Honoring Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o with Dr. Greg Carr

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o was a prominent Kenyan writer, cultural activist, and scholar, known for his impactful contributions to literature and political discourse. Born on January 5, 1938, in Kamiriithu, Kenya, he grew up in a context marked by colonial oppression and personal hardship, including the effects of the Mau Mau Uprising. Ngũgĩ’s literary career began in the 1960s, and he quickly gained recognition for his novels and plays that explored the complexities of identity, colonialism, and the struggle for cultural freedom.

Throughout his career, Ngũgĩ emphasized the importance of writing in native languages, championing the Gĩkũyũ language as a means of reclaiming cultural heritage. His works, such as Weep Not, Child, The River Between, and Wizard of the Crow, reflected profound themes of generational conflict, the impact of colonialism, and the quest for social justice in Kenya. Ngũgĩ’s activism led to his imprisonment in 1977 for political reasons, after which…