At the age of 87, renowned Kenyan author Ng?g? wa Thiong’o is contemplating the possibility of writing another book. He envisions it will be titled “Normalized Abnormality,” focusing on the enduring legacy of colonialism across Africa, Europe, and North America, which has come to be widely accepted by modern society.
In a recent phone interview, Ng?g? expressed his willingness to write this book if his health permits, as he has faced kidney issues in recent years. Despite these health challenges, he remains a vibrant and outspoken figure in the literary world. For more than six decades, he has been a steadfast advocate for Africans to reclaim their languages and culture while criticizing oppressive regimes in Kenya. His influential works include “Decolonizing the Mind,” a critical essay collection, and “Devil on the Cross,” a novel originally published in his native Gik?y? language.
Ng?g? has received both accolades and adversity throughout his career. While critics and authors worldwide have praised his work, he has also endured imprisonment and censorship in Kenya. Since the 1970s, he has lived abroad, first moving to England and later settling in the U.S. in California, where he is a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine.
Reflecting on his homeland, Ng?g? shared his yearning for Kenya, remarking, “I miss Kenya, because it gave me everything. All of my writings are based in Kenya. … I owe my writing to Kenya. It’s very hard for me not to be able to return to my homeland.” Over the past decade, he has continued to publish, adding works like the novel “The Perfect Nine” and his prison memoir “Wrestling with the Devil” to his bibliography. Ng?g? was also in the public eye in 2022 when his son, M?koma wa Ng?g?, made allegations against him concerning the physical abuse of his late first wife, Nyambura, which Ng?g? categorically denies.
His latest work with The New Press, “Decolonizing Language,” features essays and poems from 2000 to 2019. It covers a wide range of topics, such as language, education, and reflections on notable individuals like Nelson Mandela, Nadine Gordimer, and the pioneering Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe. Achebe, whose seminal work “Things Fall Apart” came out in 1958, played an instrumental role in introducing Ng?g? to a broader audience by showcasing his early manuscript “Weep Not, Child” to prominent publisher William Heinemann, marking a significant step in Ng?g?’s literary journey.
In one essay from “Decolonizing Language,” Ng?g? argues that writers must serve as a voice for those silenced by oppressive systems. During the interview, he reflected on topics like the importance of language in Kenya, the empowerment that comes with fluency in one’s native language, his literary inspirations, and his complex views on living in the United States. He expressed concern that many Kenyan families today prioritize English over their native tongues, a phenomenon Ng?g? describes as a form of “mental colonization.”
Ng?g? acknowledges his role as a professor in teaching English but emphasizes the value of viewing English alongside one’s mother tongue to avoid cultural enslavement and embrace multilingual empowerment. He fondly recalls the influence of African American writers and figures from the Harlem Renaissance, such as Langston Hughes, who inspired his own aspirations.
Regarding his experiences in the United States, Ng?g? expressed ambivalence. While grateful for his position and life in California, he remains acutely aware of the colonial history involving Native Americans and observes a peculiar acceptance of this “normalized abnormality” in American discourse. Despite these complex feelings, Ng?g?’s commitment to storytelling and social advocacy remains resolute as he contemplates future literary endeavors.