title: Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature
author:  Ngugi wa Thiong'o 
description: Many of the ideas are familiar from Ngugi's earlier critical books, and earlier lectures, elsewhere. But the material here has a new context and the ideas a new focus. This leading African writer presents the arguments for using African language and forms after successfully using an African language himself. - Anne Walmsley in THE GUARDIAN ... after 25 years of independence, there is beginning to emerge a generation of writers for whom colonialism is a matter of history and not of direct personal experience. In retrospect that literature characterised by Ngugi as Afro-European - the literature written by Africans in European languages - will come to be seen as part and parcel of the uneasy period between colonialism and full independence, a period equally reflected in the continent's political instability as it attempts to find its feet. Ngugi's importance - and that of this book - lies in the courage with which he has confronted this most urgent of issues. - Adewale Maja-Pearce in THE NEW STATESMAN
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  [DEDICATION](index_split_005.html#filepos9390)
  
  For Alice Mogwe and Unity Dow
  
  Who fight the battles we just write about.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [NOTE](index_split_005.html#filepos9510)
  
  The peoples of southern Africa have integrated many words of their own
  languages into colloquial English. For authenticity and color, we have used
  these occasionally when appropriate. Most of the time, the meanings are clear
  from the context, but for interest, we have included a Glossary at the end of
  the book.
  
  For information about Botswana, the book, and its protagonist, please visit
  http://www.detectivekubu.com. You can also sign up there for an occasional
  newsletter and to become a Facebook fan.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [CAST OF CHARACTERS](index_split_005.html#filepos9623)
  
  Words in square brackets are approximate phonetic pronunciations. Foreign and
  unfamiliar words are in a Glossary at the back of the book.
  
  Bengu, Amantle Kubu’s mother [Uh-MUN-tleh BEN-goo]
  
  Bengu, 