East Africa's leading novelist to speak about impact of colonialism
East Africa鈥檚 leading novelist is to speak about the impact of colonialism and imperialism on his continent when he delivers The University of Manchester鈥檚 annual Arthur Lewis Lecture.
Professor Ng农g末 wa Thiong'o is a Kenyan author and academic who writes primarily in Gikuyu and who formerly wrote in English. Born in 1938 in the 鈥榳hite鈥� highlands of Kenya - the heart of the colonised landscape - the colonial regime shaped his family鈥檚 life. His lifelong dedication as a scholar and activist has left an indelible mark on the global decolonisation movement, particularly for the African diaspora.
Since 1964, he has been honoured with numerous awards, honorary doctorates and prizes in recognition of his enduring efforts against the adverse impacts of colonisation. He is one of the few remaining scholars and activists whose work defines the grand eras of decolonisation of the African and global diasporic mind.
In a lecture entitled 鈥楲anguage and normalised abnormalities in the world today鈥�, he will discuss the harms caused by imperialism and colonialisation, focusing on their lasting impact on native languages, African knowledge, memory, the environment and human rights.
The lecture will be followed by a conversation with Esther Stanford-Xosei, community advocate and international expert on reparatory justice, addressing African-centred solutions to these lasting legacies. The discussion will be chaired by Professor Gary Younge from The University of Manchester鈥檚 Department of Sociology.
鈥淭he School of Social Sciences is honoured to be hosting legendary Elder Professor Ngugi Wa Thiong鈥檕 as this year鈥檚 Arthur Lewis speaker. Ngugi鈥檚 fiction and non-fiction writing over the past 60 years has paved the way for generations of writers, activists and scholars, challenging us to 鈥榙ecolonise the mind鈥� and capturing the pain and trauma, the costs and the joys, of the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality in Africa and the diaspora.鈥�
This event, coinciding with Black History Month, provides a unique opportunity to directly engage with the insights of BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) scholars, advocates, and activists on the harms of colonialism and how to recognise and overcome them.
The lecture will take place on Thursday 12 October from 6-8pm. Admission is free, but booking in advance is essential - to confirm your attendance, please book a ticket on .