Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ

is a professor of Literatures in English at Cornell University and the author of Unbury Our Dead with Song, The Rise of the African Novel: Politics of Language, Identity and Ownership, Black Star Nairobi and Nairobi Heat. He is also the author of two books of poetry, Logotherapy and Hurling Words at Consciousness. He is the co-founder of the Safal Kiswahili Prize for African literature.

Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ

Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ

‘Translation Is Where All Languages Meet’ Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ’s First Draft

Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ·
Kenyan writer and author of Unbury Our Dead with Song, Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ, does not believe in the idea of a ‘great African novel’: ‘I do not think there is such a thing as the “great African novel”—or the “great Russian” or “European” novel—nor do I believe in the idea of major and minor literatures. We simply do not know enough and have not read widely enough to make such judgements. The idea of major and minor literatures is manufactured for us.’ Read More...
April/May 2025First DraftInterviewsKenyavol9-no2