Dispossession and Resistance: The Impact of Colonialism on Indigenous Communities in Ngugi wa Thiong'o's Petals of Blood

Abstract

Ngugi Wa Thiang’ o is a great Indigenous writer who voices out for his community through his writings. All his writings reflect the pains, and sufferings of his community during Pre-Colonialism, colonialism and post-colonialism. Petals of Blood is one of the best works of Ngugi that portrays the impact of colonialism on the lives of indigenous people and the government. It presents a vivid interpretation of social and economic problems in Kenya after its independence through the four major characters – Wanja, Munira, Abdulla and Karega. These characters were highly affected by the swift transformation of Kenya towards modernity, the impact of the Mau-Mau rebellion and the exploitation of workers and peasants in Kenya. This article aims to do a theoretical analysis of the novel Petals of Blood in the light of postcolonialism. It brings forth the impact of colonialism in the lives of central characters and their resistance to it.