(1) This document discusses a paper presented by the acting head of the English Department at the University of Nairobi arguing for its abolition and replacement with a Department of African Literature and Languages. (2) Three scholars, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Taban Lo Liyong, and Henry Owuor-Anyumba, supported abolishing the English Department as it promoted a Western-centric view of literature that was not relevant in an African context. (3) They believed African literature and culture should be central to what is studied, not literature and culture from other parts of the world.

1. A report prepared by:
Mary Jerica E. Pelaez
AB Ling&Lit. III

2. “We have eyes, but we don’t see.
“We have eyes, but we don’t see.
We have ears, but we don’t hear.
We have ears, but we don’t hear.
We can read, but we don’t
We can read, but we don’t
understand what we read.”
understand what we read.”
–Li Liyong
–Li Liyong

3. On the Abolition of the
English Department

4. The scholars behind the Abolition:
• Henry Owuor-Anyumba
• Taban Lo Liyong
• Ngugi wa Thiong’o,

5. 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

6. • 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

7. 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.

8. • 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

9. 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.

10. • 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.

11. The text: “On the Abolition
of the English Department”

12. “(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

13. “(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:

14. iii. The emergence of a Department of
Linguistics and Languages:
iv. The place of African languages, especially
Swahili.
• a “remote possibility” to have a” Department
of African Literature” in the future plans

15. (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”

16. (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.”

17. “(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

18. “(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”

19. • (9) Sources of influence on modern
African Literature:
• English French, Portuguese
• Swahili, Arabic, and Asian
literature
• African tradition

20. “ (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”

21. On Linguistics side:
•Optional subjects to be
introduced in the syllabus:
1. Arabic
2. Hindustani
3. Kikuyu
4. Luo
5.Akamba

22. “(11) On the literature side, the Department ought
to offer roughly:
a. oral tradition
b. Swahili Literature
c. selected course in European Literature
d. Modern African Literature

23. 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”

24. “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.”

25. 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”

26. c. European Literature
• influenced many African works of literature
“In other words English writing will be taught
in their European context and only for their
relevance to the East African perspective.”

27. d. Modern African Literature
“Possible scope:
I.The African novel written in French and
English
II.African Poetry written in French and English,
III.The Caribbean novel and poetry.
“Must also study Afro-American Literature.”

28. Other Proposals:
A.Drama
“drama is an integral part of literature.”
“courses in play-writing, play-acting, directing,
lighting, costuming, etc. should be instituted”

29. 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”

30. 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

31. 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”

32. Sources
••
••
••
••
••
••
••
••
••
English 32b Compilation
English 32b Compilation
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