Wizard Of The Crow By Ngugi Wa Thiong’o Book Review- Hilary Ogohi
Ngugi’s Wizard of the Crow easily has been one of the most satirical African postcolonial novels I have come across. Though, fictitious, it unapologetically (and of course with a very unique kind of sarcasm), brings to clear view the problems and consequences of most of the decolonized African countries. Ngugi is a well acclaimed Kenyan novelist, poet, playwright, and critic, whose literary works have posed threats from his country’s government to his very own life. This novel has been a huge come-back to the government of his country from his experience as a one-time Kenyan prisoner — whose offense was criticizing the then Kenyan politics through his works.
In this novel, the people of Free Republic of Aburiria are unfortunately ruled by a tyrant who goes by The Ruler, and his bunch of clueless ministers who would do anything as selfish as possible to gain his approval on even the most foolish thing ever. So desperate are these ministers that they go as far as literally expanding a sense of organ (ear, eye, tongue) to make the most use of it for the almighty, his holiness; The Ruler. Among these ministers are the most selfish, greedy, power thirsty, evil plotters and yet, the most ignorant people. As would anyone who’s been denied of power for so long but finally gets hold of it, the Ruler is most pleased to see how “dedicated’ his ministers are to him and as such, take advantage of their desperateness to continue in his tyrannical rule.
Though, most of the Aburirians see this government as ‘not-okay’, as some of them describe Aburiria as a country with … ‘crooked roads, robberies, runaway viruses of death, hospitals without medicine, rampant unemployment without relief, daily insecurity, epidemic alcoholism, and a country whose leaders have murdered hope, they seem to be okay with it. Fear of the Red River and fear of SID, I assume, shuts up the mouths of the people as daily survival seems to be most important.
But there is a hint of hope for the people because of a fearless few: members of the Movement of the Voice of the People, led by Nyawlra.
Kamltl, a hungry, jobless, and almost-at-the-point-of-death graduate turn beggar, becomes the most feared wizard in Aburiria: The Wizard of the Crow. His character becomes the greatest tool of Ngugi’s satirical goal in the novel. First, he is driven away from Santalucia because he was mistaken for a djinn, but ironically, he eventually becomes the savior/ redeemer of all “prominent” Aburirians.
The admirable relationship between Kamltl, whose ministry is for the wounded souls, and Nyawlra, whose ministry is for the wounded bodies, signifies a smooth fusion of hope for a country whose citizens are divided between ‘personal salvation’ and ‘collective deliverance’- it is doable.
Reading this novel has been very satisfying. As you read, you’re almost made to feel like an Aburirian because you know the likes of Machokalis, Sikiokuus, Kaniurus and Tajirikas. They unfortunately exist in our world — African countries. And of course, the Ruler — who accepts democracy with a stretched-forward left hand and then gives it a 90% support with his right hand that is a complete opposite of what democracy stands for. And then there are the likes of Jane Kanyori — a corrupt professional banker who helps Kanuiru keep his share of ‘national cake’ for her selfish reason, Wonderful Tumbo — a corrupt officer of the police force, the ministers of the Ruler’s cabinet, basically all economic and professional sectors of the country; corrupt! Which of course, is no news to most postcolonial African countries. The height of it is the fact that after a very long rule of the Ruler, and in place of relief, comes the likes of Tajirika — yet, other years of a system of government far from democracy.
This is a highly recommendable satire. Other literary devices used in this novel; for instance, the narrative technique, allegorizing, suspense, all add to its uniqueness and help convey the intended message in a humorous but powerful way.
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