“Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o: Summary and Critique

Introduction: “Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

“Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o first appeared in the September-December 2004 issue of World Literature Today, Vol. 78, No. 3/4, pages 13-15. Published by the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, this seminal article underscores the importance of reclaiming indigenous languages and cultural narratives in literature and literary theory. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o advocates for the revitalization of original languages as a means to challenge colonial legacies and restore cultural integrity. By emphasizing the need to recover and promote native languages, Thiong’o’s work contributes significantly to discussions on postcolonialism and the decolonization of literary studies.

Summary of “Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

• Colonial Suppression of African Languages: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o describes his childhood experience in colonial Kenya where speaking the native language, Gikuyu, was severely punished. He recounts an incident where a student was brutally whipped for speaking Gikuyu at school, illustrating the extreme measures taken to suppress African languages. “Speaking African languages in the school compound was a crime” (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 13). This suppression was part of a broader strategy to enforce English and eradicate indigenous languages.
• Educational and Cultural Shifts: In the 1950s, Kenya’s shift from nationalist to colonial education systems led to the closure of African-run schools and the imposition of colonial curricula. Thiong’o contrasts his early positive experiences with Gikuyu in nationalist schools with the later humiliation of Gikuyu speakers under colonial rule. He notes that “the emphasis on humiliating the Gikuyu language-users” was a direct result of the new colonial educational policies (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 14).
• Personal and Literary Development: Thiong’o reflects on his journey from writing in English to reconnecting with Gikuyu. Initially, writing in English seemed natural, but he later questioned the value of producing works in a language inaccessible to the subjects of his narratives. He admits, “I was taking away from the genius of Gikuyu to add to the genius of English” (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 14). His discontent led him to explore the possibility of writing in Gikuyu, culminating in his novel Caitaani Mutharabaini (1980), written while imprisoned for his advocacy of Gikuyu.
• Reclaiming Gikuyu and Cultural Resistance: Thiong’o’s imprisonment in 1977-78 at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison marked a turning point. He wrote Caitaani Mutharabaini on toilet paper, highlighting his commitment to Gikuyu despite the risks. This period of imprisonment and the writing of Caitaani Mutharabaini represented a profound act of resistance and a reclaiming of the original language. He asserts, “The decision had already been made. I would no longer write fiction in English” (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 15).
• Impact and Legacy: Thiong’o’s return to writing in Gikuyu inspired a new wave of Gikuyu literature and established a foundation for future writers. He emphasizes the significance of this shift, noting, “A new literature has been born” (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 15). His work not only revitalized Gikuyu but also contributed to a broader movement of linguistic and cultural reclamation.

Literary Terms/Concepts in “Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

1. Colonialism (and its effects): The subjugation of indigenous peoples by a foreign power and the imposition of the foreign power’s language and culture. (e.g. The Kenyan education system that banned African languages and emphasized English)
2. Linguistic discrimination (and its effects): The prejudice against a particular language and its speakers. (e.g. The punishment of students caught speaking Gikuyu at school)
3. Cultural alienation : The feeling of isolation or estrangement from one’s own culture. (e.g. The author’s growing distance from Gikuyu as he excelled in English)
4. Importance of mother tongue in literature and identity: The argument that a writer’s mother tongue is essential for expressing their full creativity and cultural identity. (e.g. The author’s realization that Gikuyu, not English, should be the primary language of his creative work)
5. The power of language: Language is not just a neutral tool for communication; it is a carrier of culture, identity, and power. (e.g. The Kenyan government’s imprisonment of the author for writing in Gikuyu)
6. Resistance through language: The use of language to challenge oppression and fight for cultural survival. (e.g. The author’s decision to write only in Gikuyu after his imprisonment)

 Contribution of “Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o to Literary Theory/Theories

Literary Theory	Contribution	References from the Article
Postcolonial Theory	Challenges the Eurocentric dominance of literary canons and emphasizes the importance of decolonizing literary discourse. Argues for the recognition of indigenous literatures and languages.	“The Kenyan education system…banned African languages and emphasized English.” “I was being forced by the practical needs to face the Gikuyu language.”
Cultural Studies	Explores the intersection of culture, power, and identity. Highlights the role of language in shaping cultural identities and narratives.	“Language is the people who speak it.” “I was taking away from the people who created Gikuyu and its genius.”
Language and Literature	Examines the relationship between language and literary production. Argues that language is not just a tool but a shaping force in literary expression.	“The genius of a language is not dependent on the quantity of its speakers.” “I was taking away from the genius of Gikuyu to add to the genius of English.”
African Literature	Contributes to the development of African literary theory, challenging Western-centric perspectives and emphasizing the unique contributions of African literatures.	“The outbreak of the war was followed by a ban on performances and publications in African languages.” “A new literature has been born.”

Examples of Critiques Through “Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

Title	Author	Critique Through “Recovering the Original”
The River Between	Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o	Thiong’o reflects on his early works like The River Between and Weep Not, Child, which, although inspired by African culture, were written in English. He critiques the loss of Gikuyu’s original genius as it was translated into English, leading to a disconnection from the language’s true essence (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 14).
A Grain of Wheat	Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o	Thiong’o expresses unease about writing A Grain of Wheat in English, despite its success. He criticizes the linguistic disconnect, as the novel’s African context and cultural nuances are filtered through English, which may not fully convey the Gikuyu experience (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 14).
Caitaani Mutharabaini (Devil on the Cross)	Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o	This work, written in Gikuyu while Thiong’o was imprisoned, represents a critical return to indigenous language. Thiong’o highlights the contrast between the novel’s reception in Gikuyu and its English translation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cultural authenticity and resistance through native languages (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 15).
Petals of Blood	Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o	In Petals of Blood, Thiong’o continued writing in English, which he now views as a compromise. He critiques this decision, recognizing the tension between his use of English and his desire to reconnect with Gikuyu, demonstrating the ongoing struggle between cultural representation and linguistic limitations (Thiong’o, 2004, p. 15).

Criticism Against “Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

1. Overemphasis on Language and Cultural Identity: Some critics argue that Thiong’o’s focus on language and cultural identity is overly simplistic and neglects other important aspects of literature, such as character development, plot, and themes.
2. Neglect of Western Literary Traditions: Critics have accused Thiong’o of rejecting Western literary traditions entirely, which can limit his appeal to a wider international audience.
3. Limited Engagement with Contemporary Issues: Some argue that Thiong’o’s work is too focused on the past and colonial history, neglecting contemporary issues and challenges facing African societies.
4. Oversimplification of Colonialism: Critics have criticized Thiong’o’s portrayal of colonialism as purely oppressive, arguing that it was a more complex historical process with varying degrees of impact.
5. Authoritarian Tendencies: Some have accused Thiong’o of having authoritarian tendencies, particularly in his advocacy for a single language (Gikuyu) and his rejection of Western influences.

Representative Quotations from “Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o with Explanation

Quotation	Explanation
“No matter how horribly he screamed and wriggled with pain, they would not let him go.”	This quote highlights the brutality of colonial punishment and the dehumanization of indigenous people.
“Speaking African languages in the school compound was a crime.”	This sentence underscores the suppression of African languages and cultures under colonial rule.
“The one with the monitor at the end of the day was the sinner and would be punished.”	This quote reveals the system of peer pressure and surveillance used to enforce colonial language policies.
“The country was then a British settler colony, with a sizeable white settlement in the arable heartland, which they then called White Highlands.”	This sentence describes the racial and economic inequality imposed by colonialism.
“I was too young to know about this linkage; all I knew was that I was going to a school where we would be taught ‘deep’ English alongside other subjects and languages, in our case, Gikuyu.”	This quote illustrates the conflicting expectations placed on African students during colonialism, who were expected to learn both their native language and English.
“But I do recall that a composition in Gikuyu was good enough to have me paraded in front of the class, in praise.”	This quote highlights the early recognition of the author’s talent in Gikuyu, suggesting that his love for the language began at a young age.
“The screaming student was being thrashed to take him out of the darkness of his language to the light of English knowledge.”	This quote reveals the colonial belief that English was superior to African languages and that speaking an indigenous language was a sign of ignorance.
“I was taking away from the genius of Gikuyu to add to the genius of English.”	This quote reflects the author’s realization that his writing in English was contributing to the marginalization of Gikuyu.
“The people about whom I wrote so eloquently would never be in a position to read the drama of their lives in their own language.”	This quote emphasizes the linguistic alienation experienced by many African writers during colonialism.
“Only the genius of the language kept me alive to tell the tale.”	This quote underscores the importance of language in preserving cultural heritage and identity, even in the face of oppression.

Suggested Readings: “Recovering the Original” by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o