Reflection of Culture and Tradition in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s Weep Not, Child and The River Between

Abstract

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is a renowned Kenyan author. He is East Africa's leading novelist and has made significant contributions to African literature, particularly in terms of promoting indigenous languages and cultural authenticity. Weep Not, Child is one of his influential works, which represents a powerful portrayal of cultural aspects of Kenya. In the novel Weep Not, Child, Thiong'o skillfully portrays cultures, traditions and customs, furnishing readers with a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Kenya during the era of British colonisation. Thiong'o also depicts cultural and traditional practices, customs, beliefs, and conflicts of the Gikũyũ people in The River Between. The characters and their interactions provide a lens through which the reader can interpret the complexities of African culture and the challenges faced during the colonial era. This research paper aims to examine and analyse the cultural representation in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o 's Weep Not, Child and The River Between and exploring the characters, themes, and language present in these novels. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o proficiently depicts the cultural practices and traditions of Kenya in the chosen novels, highlighting their significance in shaping both personal and communal identities. Through evocative descriptions and insightful quotations, the novels highlight the resilience and significance of these cultural practices during the era of colonialism.