Ngugi Wa Thiong'o

Mtawa Mweusi Ngugi Wa Thiong'o

Should Remi, the first of his tribe to go to university, return to his people from the city? Should he return to Thoni, his brother's widow, whom he has had to marry under tribal custom? Or should he continue to be a 'black hermit' in the town, visiting the night clubs with his friend, Jane? Should he be supporting the Africanist Party when people feel that the colonial oppression has just been replaced by another form? These are the dramatic conflicts in this play. Ngugi wa Thiong'o is best known internationally as a novelist as well as a playwright. He wrote "This Time Tomorrow" (published in African Short Stories), The Black Hermit (1968), and, with Micere Githae Mugo, The Trial of Dedan Kimathi (1976), all of which had great social and political impact. His detention without trial in 1978 was probably due to the staging of the Gikuyu play, "Ngaahika Ndeenda" at the Kamirithu Cultural Centre, co-authored with Ngugu wa Mirii. The play is published in English as I will Marry when I Want. Ngugi continues to strongly advocate writing in indigenous languages. His two titles - Caaitani Mutharabaini and A Grain of Wheat - were among the recipients of Africa's 100 Best Books of the 20th Century Award.