Language as a Tool for Resistance in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s Works: The Role of Gikuyu Language in His Novels

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s decision to write in Gikuyu instead of English marks a significant moment in African literary history. For Ngũgĩ, language is not just a means of communication but a powerful tool for cultural resistance and decolonization. In his works, such as Petals of Blood and The Devil on the Cross, the use of Gikuyu is a direct challenge to the colonial system that sought to undermine indigenous languages and cultures.

By choosing Gikuyu, Ngũgĩ asserts the value and importance of African languages, demonstrating that they are not inferior to colonial languages like English. This act of resistance against linguistic imperialism is central to Ngũgĩ’s broader political and cultural project. In his novels, Gikuyu functions as a symbol of both the past and the future—a link to indigenous traditions and a means of shaping new, postcolonial identities.

Ngũgĩ’s emphasis on language as resistance goes beyond his personal writing choices; it extends to the broader African struggle for autonomy and cultural self-determination. His work encourages readers and writers to embrace their native tongues and to recognize language as a fundamental tool for social and political change.