Giant of African literature Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o dies aged 87
Summary
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, a well-known African writer, died at the age of 87. He is famous for writing about Kenya's history and promoting literature in African languages. He spent time in jail and exile due to his work and criticisms of the government.Key Facts
- Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o was born in 1938 in Kenya when it was under British rule.
- His family lived under tough conditions, and his education was funded through sacrifices by his parents.
- The British colonial authorities destroyed his village during the Mau Mau uprising, an anti-colonial movement.
- Ngũgĩ lost his deaf brother, who was shot by a British soldier.
- He studied in Uganda at Makerere University and published his first novel, "Weep Not, Child," in 1964.
- His works include "A Grain of Wheat" and "The River Between," which were widely celebrated.
- In 1977, he chose to write in Kikuyu, his native language, and adopted the name Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o.
- His play criticizing the Kenyan government led to his imprisonment without trial for a year.
- He wrote "Devil on the Cross" while in prison, using toilet paper as writing material.
- Fearing for his safety, Ngũgĩ lived in exile in the UK and the US before eventually returning to Kenya.
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