Abolition of the English Department (Ngugi Wa Thiong'o)

A report prepared by: Mary Jerica E. Pelaez

AB Ling&Lit. III

“We have eyes, but we don’t see. We have ears, but we

don’t hear. We can read, but we don’t understand what

we read.” –Li Liyong

“We have eyes, but we don’t see. We have ears, but we

don’t hear. We can read, but we don’t understand what

we read.” –Li Liyong

On the Abolition of the English Department

The scholars behind the Abolition:

• Henry Owuor-Anyumba• Taban Lo Liyong • Ngugi wa Thiong’o, 

Henry Owuor-Anyumba (1933-1992)

• Kenyan scholar, postcolonial theorist and literary critic• was born in Seme, in central Nyanza

Province, Kenya• went to study in the United Kingdom

-had a bachelor's degree in English from Cambridge University

• upon his return to Kenya in 1966, -he took a position as a research fellow in the Cultural Division of the Institute for Development studies at the University of Nairobi and- joined the Department of English soon afterwards

Taban Lo Liyong

• born 1938, Gulu, Acholi, Uganda 

• Ugandan author whose experimental works and provocative opinions stimulated literary controversy in East Africa.

• undergraduate studies at Knoxville College in Tennessee and Howard University in Washington, D.C.

• When he returned to Uganda in 1968, he worked at the University of Nairobi in Kenya

• first African to receive the MFA degree in creative writing and where he cultivated his unconventional writing style

Ngugi wa Thiong’o, • original name James Thiong’o Ngugi   • born Jan. 5, 1938, Limuru, Kenya• East Africa’s leading novelist, whose

popular Weep Not, Child (1964) was the first major novel in English by an East African.

• he served as a lecturer in English at University of Nairobi, Kenya

• From 1972 to 1977 he was senior lecturer and chairman of the department of literature at the University of Nairobi.

The text: “On the Abolition of the English

Department”

“(1) This is a comment on the paper presented by the Acting Head of the English

Department…”• acting head of the Department of

English at the University of Nairobi is Dr. James Stewart

• University of Nairobi was previously a satellite college of the University of London

“(2) That paper was mainly concerned with the possible

developments within the Arts Faculty and their relationship with

the English Department, particularly:

i. The place of modern languages, especially French:

ii. The place and role of the Department of English:

• a “remote possibility” to have a” Department of African Literature” in the future plans

iii. The emergence of a Department of Linguistics and Languages:

iv. The place of African languages, especially Swahili.

(3) Ngugi, Liyong and Anyumba argued that “the paper raised important problems“ and they suggested that it should become " the subject of a more involved debate and discussion..."

(5) They revolt on the idea that “Africa is an extension of the West”

(6) Main question: “if there is a need for a study of the historic community

of a single culture, then why can’t this be African? Why can’t African

literature be at the centre so that we can view other cultures in relationship

to it?”

• “we reject the primacy of English literature and culture.”

“(7)To orientate ourselves towards placing Kenya, East Africa, then Africa in the centre. All other things are to be considered in their relevance to our situation, and their contribution towards understanding ourselves”

• They questioned the value of an English Department in an African context

“(8) We therefore suggest:

A. That the English Department be abolished:

B. That a Department of African Literature and Languages be set up in its place-”Primary Duty of literature

Department : to illuminate the spirit animating people, show how it meets challenges, innovate possible areas of development and involvement”

• (9) Sources of influence on modern African Literature:• English French,

Portuguese • Swahili, Arabic, and Asian

literature• African tradition

“ (10) Language and Linguistics should be studied in the department

because in literature we see the principles of languages and linguistics

in action. Conversely, through knowledge of languages and

linguistics we can get more from literature”

On Linguistics side:•Optional subjects to be introduced in the syllabus:1. Arabic2. Hindustani3. Kikuyu4. Luo5.Akamba

“(11) On the literature side, the Department ought to offer roughly:

a. oral traditionb. Swahili Literaturec. selected course in European

Literatured. Modern African Literature

a. Oral Tradition

• “Africa is littered with oral literature”

• “it is a living tradition”

• “ The study of the oral tradition at the University should therefore lead to a multi-disciplinary outlook: Literature, music, Linguistics, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Psychology, Religion, Philosophy”

“Secondly, it can lead to fresh approaches by making it possible for the student to be familiar with different art forms from Western literary forms”

“the study of Oral tradition would supplement Modern African Literature. “to embrace and assimilate other thoughts without losing its roots.”

b. Swahili Literature

“ There is a large amount of oral and written classical Swahili Literature of high calibre. There is also growing body of modern Swahili literature: both written and oral”

c. European Literature

“In other words English writing will be taught in their European context and only for their relevance to the East African perspective.”

• influenced many African works of literature

d. Modern African Literature

“Possible scope:I.The African novel written in French and EnglishII.African Poetry written in French and English,III.The Caribbean novel and poetry.

“Must also study Afro-American Literature.”

Other Proposals:

A.Drama

“drama is an integral part of literature.”

“courses in play-writing, play-acting, directing, lighting, costuming, etc. should be instituted”

B. Relationship with other Departments

“we propose that either with the help of other department… courses on mutually relevant aspects of African thought be offered”

C. 3.1.1 should be abolished

“we think an undergraduate should be exposed to as many general ideas as possible”

• specialization should come in graduate school

Conclusion

“We have argued the case for the abolition of the present English Department in the College, and the establishment of a Department of African Literature and Languages”

Sources• English 32b Compilation• http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=39JMAgAAQBAJ&p

g=RA4-PA64&lpg=RA4-PA64&dq=henry+owuor-anyumba+biography&source=bl&ots=1yek0mqsZs&sig=4zSV8tuIgkbEexwpMgwQbN0yG0s&hl=fil&sa=X&ei=YRX6UpvGDqKuiAfm44CQAw&ved=0CD8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false

• http://www.africanbookscollective.com/authors-editors/taban-lo-liyong#sthash.eXJ8DpHO.dpuf

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• http://www.african-writing.com/hol/emiliailieva.htm

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• http://epohnym.blogspot.com/2008/02/post-colonialism-and-ngugi-wa-thiongo.html