Skepticism & Truth
Who does Wainaina say invented “truth”?
Who invented that piece of nonsense called truth?
How does Wainaina describe the Western academic world?
An intellectual world in which each paper rewrites its own perceptual framework.
What does Wainaina miss that represents creative storytelling?
Please bring back the myths and legends – even those ones about wise rabbits and wicked witches.
Why does Wainaina question who you write for?
Who are you writing for? Why are you not writing in your mother-tongue?
Which leader does Wainaina critique for shaping Kikuyu identity?
Jomo Kenyatta.
What does Wainaina suggest about ideas and their value?
Ideas aren’t democratic – the value of your ideas can’t be measured by how many people understand them.
Which aspect of Western influence does Wainaina critique regarding art?
Art is never for art’s sake, you tell yourself. Of course it isn’t. But art for art’s sake is a necessary lie.
What does he say should be done if a story cannot fit into a song?
If your thing cannot fit into a song, just shut up.
How does writing only in English affect cultural intimacy?
Friends do not know, or want to know, you in your mother-tongue; that part of you remains yours and your family’s.
What does Wainaina call Kenyatta’s version of Kikuyu-ness?
His version of Kikuyu-ness became the idée fixe.
How does Wainaina describe narratives imposed on Africa?
Everybody is represented, nobody is real.
What does Wainaina say about Western-constructed tribes?
Tribal self-awareness came when people needed to deal with the British.
What does Wainaina suggest fiction should do?
Fiction is about creating worlds.
What role does language play in preserving traditions and rules?
Languages were shared, and agreements, and rules.
How does Wainaina describe young nations like Kenya?
A young nation is a bad novel: contrived, trying to push an agenda that cannot persuade readers.
What literary technique does Wainaina use to question truth repeatedly?
Rhetorical questions and repetition.
Which European system is described as enforcing rules and standards on African narratives?
The education and literary framework imposed by Western social systems.
What does Wainaina suggest is more valuable than twisting ideas into complex disciplines?
Simply document our times in a way that feels true to our hearts.
How do Europeans and Africans differ in adapting to globalized culture, according to Wainaina?
People can blankslate themselves to adapt to new times, losing ties to their culture.
What does Wainaina say creates nations in reality?
Only blood and the risk of annihilation.
What does Wainaina encourage readers to “pick and choose” instead of accepting blindly?
Nothing is true; pick and choose your way.
How does Wainaina describe colonial influence on Kenya’s nationhood?
The English were beaten into submission before democracy took present day root; tribal sentiment was beaten out of them; religion embossed in blood.
What literary flaw does Wainaina hate that restricts storytelling?
Fiction that uses a hammer to ram its message into your head.
How does Wainaina connect language to identity?
Language shapes personal and communal identity; losing mother-tongue connection weakens cultural intimacy.
How did colonial powers influence African tribal identities?
They imposed structures and definitions that tribes used to interact with the British, shaping self-awareness.