Africa's literary giant Ngugi wa Thiong'o dies!

Africa's literary giant Ngugi wa Thiong'o dies!

Ngugi wa Thiong'o, a central figure in African literature, died on May 29, 2025. Born on January 5, 1938 in a kraal in rural central Kenya, Ngugi was the fifth child in a family of 24 siblings and grew up in a strongly patriarchal society under British colonial rule. These early experiences shaped his literary work and his profound engagement with themes such as identity, colonialism and cultural heritage. According to Kleine Zeitung, his childhood was overshadowed by the Mau Mau liberation movement and an emerging civil war, which greatly influenced his later works.

Ngugi's educational journey was remarkable. He attended a missionary school and then several elementary schools before attending Alliance High School and Makerere University in Uganda. The year Kenya became independent in 1963, Ngugi obtained his Bachelor of Arts, followed by another degree at the University of Leeds. SA History highlights that it was during his student years that he began to engage in literary endeavors, culminating in his 1964 debut novel Weep Not, Child. This work marked his international breakthrough and addressed the difficulties of Kenyan society during the colonial period.

Influential works

Ngugi wa Thiong'o is known for his profound novels and essays, including Burnt Blossoms, Matigari and Lord of the Crows. In the 1970s, he decided to drop his English name James and write exclusively in his native Gikuyu language, which strengthened the cultural identity and postcolonial discourse in his works. His decision to write in an African language reflects his belief that publishers offer little support for young writers in African languages, which has led to stagnating literary development. Royal Lite Global points out that Ngugi thereby became a significant voice for the preservation and promotion of African languages ​​and cultures.

In addition to his writing, Ngugi was also active in the academic world. From 1992 he taught at various US universities, including New York University, where he became a professor of comparative literature and performance studies. During his career he was frequently invited to give public lectures at leading universities and received numerous awards. After several assassination attempts, Ngugi returned to Kenya in 2004 after the autocratic rule of President Daniel Arap Moi ended. Nevertheless, he left a lasting impression throughout the literary world and was often considered a favorite for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Legacy and reaction to his death

With Ngugi's death, the literary world has lost a “giant of Kenyan literature,” as President Ruto described his contributions. His works have been translated into over 30 languages ​​and have influenced generations of readers. The fact that four of his children are also writers, but write in English, shows the lasting influence he has had on the literary landscape in and outside Kenya.

Ngugi wa Thiong'o is remembered as one of Africa's most important voices, whose life and works are deeply rooted in the continent's history and culture. His approach to topics affecting both personal and collective identity will continue to inspire generations of writers to come.