A Reading of Ngugi WA Thiong’o’s Stand Points on Food Security in Post-Independent Africa: A Case of Petals of blood
- October 28, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Food Science and Technology, IJRSI
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705
Elizabeth Wekesa, Dr. Joseph Musungu
Kibabii University , Kenya
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to interrogate Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s stance on food security. This paper iscognizant of the fact that the question of food security has dogged many postcolonial African countries and Kenya in particular. Like other authors, Ngugi uses diverse techniques to create fictional universes that reflect realities in human societies. Ilmorog, is Ngugi’s microcosm. Ngugi paints the beauty and great history of this village before colonialism and neo-colonialism take center stage. The village is going through ravages of drought and resultant famine which are attributed to depletion of natural resources as a consequence of exploitation by capitalist neo-colonialists in league with former colonial masters. The main objectives of this study are to identify causes of food shortage as envisioned in Ngugi’s Petals of Blood, discuss the ramifications of such shortages and examine possible solutions. The findings will be significant in providing suggestions for enhancing food security. Review of related literature will be done focusing on periodicals that address drought and food shortage that have been prevalent in Kenya. The research will be library based. Data collected will be qualitative. It will be collected by intensive reading of the text in question. The paper will employ Marxist Theory to underscore Ngugi’s stand on food security in post independent Kenya. Being a Marxist, he identifies with the masses. He advocates for collective sacrifice, compromise, complementarity, consciousness and unity of the masses in order oust the selfish bourgeois adversary. For Ngugi, the solution to food shortage is within the reach of the victims of exploitation.
Key words: food security, stand points, post independent
I. INTRODUCTION
Longman Contemporary English Dictionary defines “security” as a condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially. Food security therefore implies a situation in which people are not threatened physically, psychologically, emotionally,or financially because there is adequate food. Food in this context refers to crops and animals and their products. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that Food Security is achieved “When all people, at all times have physical and economic access to adequate/ sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. Food security therefore is not the availability of any single commodity; such as maize in the Kenyan context. Neither does it imply just availability but must be accessible in terms of affordability in adequate quantities, containing essential nutrients.
