Ngugi Wa Thiong’o And Kenyan Theatre In Focus

ABSTRACT

Ngugi wa Thiong’o is known throughout the world for his writing of novels, e.g. Petals

of Blood (1977) and critical essays, e.g. Delolonising the Mind (1994). With the writing

of The Trail of Dedan Kimathi (1977), in collaboration with Micere Mugo, he became

known as a playwright as well. The two community plays, I Will Marry When I Want

(1982) and Mother, Sing for Me, brought focus to indigenous Kenyan theatre. They were

created and performed by the Kamiriithu-villagers in the theatre they have built

themselves, until they were stopped by the government. The provocative I Will Marry

When I Want was the cause of Ngugi’s detainment by the Kenyan government. Ngugi

used the theatre as a platform for his cultural, social and political utterances in his quest

to change the society.

Very little was written about Ngugi’s plays. This research intends to study the available

sources and his plays carefully to formulate an overall view of the importance of this

genre of Ngugi. The content, themes, characters and the indigenous cultural expressions,

e.g. songs, dances and mimes will be analysed. As the community and audience

involvement played a huge role in Ngugi’s theatre process and performances, they will

receive prominent attention.

This research project will to investigate the observations of other scholars on African

theatre, as well as the different styles of theatre practiced by Ngugi. The research will

investigate the recurrent themes and explore the influence Ngugi had on the theatre of

Kenya. As an activist he propagated a strong message that the masses should unite

against the oppression and exploitation by the ruling regime.