%��������� Your hero is you (if reportage), or a beautiful, tragic international celebrity/aristocrat who now cares for animals (if fiction). The event was titled ‘How to Write About Everything’—echoing Wainaina’s famous essay ‘How to Write About Africa’—and it was his first major public appearance since moving to Johannesburg in April this year. The prize-winning Kenyan writer has died in Nairobi after a short illness at the age of 48. © 2020 BBC. He is an enemy of development, always using his government job to make it difficult for pragmatic and good-hearted expats to set up NGOs or Legal Conservation Areas. She must look utterly helpless. He is an enemy of development, always using his government job to make it difficult for pragmatic and good-hearted expats to set up NGOs or Legal Conservation Areas. Africa Live: More on this and other African stories Binyavanga Wainaina on why Africa's international image is unfair Five quips from How to Write About Africa: .css-8h1dth-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-8h1dth-Link:hover,.css-8h1dth-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. What is the Good Friday Agreement? His most recent book is One Day I Will Write About This Place: A Memoir. ), a literary magazine. The Loyal Servant always behaves like a seven-year-old and needs a firm hand; he is scared of snakes, good with children, and always involving you in his complex domestic dramas. Or it is hot and steamy with very short people who eat primates. BBC Africa staff read extracts from Binyavanga Wainaina's famous satirical essay How to Write about Africa, in tribute to the late writer. He is the founding editor of Kwani? He won the 2002 Caine Prize for his short story “Discovering Home”. Video, 00:01:15, House collapses into river after severe flooding, Trump on Covid treatment: 'I learned a lot' Video, 00:00:16, Trump on Covid treatment: 'I learned a lot', Civilians and BBC team flee shelling. He won the Caine Prize for African writing in 2002. Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of your book, or in it, unless that African has won the Nobel Prize. If you must include an African, make sure you get one in Masai or Zulu or Dogon dress. Wainaina was also named among Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in 2014 for his gay rights activism. But do not be too specific. Video, 00:04:28What is the Good Friday Agreement? Note that ‘People’ means Africans who are not black, while ‘The People’ means black Africans. The continent is full of deserts, jungles, highlands, savannahs and many other things, but your reader doesn’t care about all that, so keep your descriptions romantic and evocative and unparticular. Video, 00:02:08Confusion and contradiction: What's going on with Trump's doctor? Throughout the book, adopt a sotto voice, in conspiracy with the reader, and a sad I-expected-so-much tone. Video, 00:02:26Who really decides the US election? Confusion and contradiction: What's going on with Trump's doctor? Binyavanga Wainaina Tells Us 'How To Write About Africa' Editor's note: Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina died on Tuesday, May 22 after an illness. In your text, treat Africa as if it were one country. Or corrupt politicians, inept polygamous travel-guides, and prostitutes you have slept with. Video, 00:02:26, On board the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier. An AK-47, prominent ribs, naked breasts: use these. She can have no past, no history; such diversions ruin the dramatic moment. Video, 00:01:01, Royal children quiz Sir David Attenborough. Just call her Mama. Video, 00:02:17How to write about Africa - a tribute, Up Next, 'We all breathe misogyny' Video, 00:02:45'We all breathe misogyny', Kenyan author shares his secrets. Africa is to be pitied, worshipped or dominated. Do not mention rice and beef and wheat; monkey-brain is an African’s cuisine of choice, along with goat, snake, worms and grubs and all manner of game meat. The Modern African is a fat man who steals and works in the visa office, refusing to give work permits to qualified Westerners who really care about Africa. Among your characters you must always include The Starving African, who wanders the refugee camp nearly naked, and waits for the benevolence of the West. Video, 00:01:15House collapses into river after severe flooding, Trump on Covid treatment: 'I learned a lot' Video, 00:00:16Trump on Covid treatment: 'I learned a lot', Civilians and BBC team flee shelling. Moans are good. Blame the West for Africa’s situation. Who really decides the US election? The Ancient Wise Man always comes from a noble tribe (not the money-grubbing tribes like the Gikuyu, the Igbo or the Shona). Your hero can teach them, bathe them, feed them; he carries lots of babies and has seen Death. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Her children have flies on their eyelids and pot bellies, and her breasts are flat and empty. in conversation with deputy editor Ros Porter, The best literary magazines, courtesy of the Granta team, © National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall, 115-123 King Street, Norwich, NR1 1QE, This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. These characters should buzz around your main hero, making him look good. Video, 00:00:51, The African comic hoping to take on Disney. Africa is big: fifty-four countries, 900 million people who are too busy starving and dying and warring and emigrating to read your book. Video, 00:04:00The African comic hoping to take on Disney. Video, 00:04:00, The African comic hoping to take on Disney, What stories should African novelists tell? Continuing our celebration of Granta’s 40th anniversary, today we have an extract of a piece from issue 92, originally published in 2006, by acclaimed writer Binyavanga Wainaina. It is hot and dusty with rolling grasslands and huge herds of animals and tall, thin people who are starving. �+�A?z����[��dbF�t!�Mq�,�e�6��j�ᤛL&�u�T�~��g;��:��h��&^L�ܿ��_�@P?��V P���6�bi8D��@mZ�����mp=)��/���$�Z(�>�|������)��4Jx�>���r�f=/�I �L�[I�:����B��*�����߽L�7�z��ZS���}���ݒ�N�=~q�����~���g���Ź�����g�b3��x���h��{��\{{�{�k7�u���#�H�}�>��Ļ�ƴ��K�s_���k�J�ҲC�3Y�p��@a�^k����ҋ}�+3�[ά[��ӵ�U`������7R����X���Ru����ʵ�RH�\��-a[�ؓ��wE���H��Q-O{R���#T3�Z}���^Y�m�y�>ec���'�e�������GE!�Cn\�n��ء�.-XA�����������a*�6>S�����i�:��Y�ȯ,S��1˦���-�!{f��g2�Fb. Video, 00:00:40, Trump makes 'surprise visit' to supporters, Confusion and contradiction: What's going on with Trump's doctor? On board the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier. %PDF-1.3 << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> This is a satirical essay about the common prejudices held by foreigners or non Africans (who write books) about Africa. If you are a woman, treat Africa as a man who wears a bush jacket and disappears off into the sunset. Always use the word ‘Africa’ or ‘Darkness’ or ‘Safari’ in your title. Come to our Granta celebration at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival! Her children are all delinquent. Learn more. Video, 00:02:52, What is the Good Friday Agreement? Or he is an Oxford-educated intellectual turned serial-killing politician in a Savile Row suit. Who really decides the US election? Stumble, the one-legged duck, given wheelchair. Bad Western characters may include children of Tory cabinet ministers, Afrikaners, employees of the World Bank. Establish early on that your liberalism is impeccable, and mention near the beginning how much you love Africa, how you fell in love with the place and can’t live without her. Video, 00:04:28, Stumble, the one-legged duck, given wheelchair. Trump makes 'surprise visit' to supporters. 4 0 obj This piece can be can be read in full on Granta.com and in the print issue of the 40th Anniversary Edition of Granta, which publishes on 2 May. Video, 00:05:32, Instagram poet on the gift of reading. Video, 00:02:11On board the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier, House collapses into river after severe flooding. He divides his time between Nairobi, Kenya and upstate New York. This piece can be can be read in full on Granta.com and in the print issue of the 40th Anniversary Edition of Granta, which publishes on 2 … She must never say anything about herself in the dialogue except to speak of her (unspeakable) suffering. Video, 00:02:08. Binyavanga Wainaina: How to write about Africa - a tribute, How to write about Africa - a tribute. Subtitles may … GRANTA 92 | ESSAYS | BINYAVANGA WAINAINA How to Write about Africa ShareThis | DISCUSSION (38) This article was originally published in Granta 92. Video, 00:02:02What stories should African novelists tell? Don’t get bogged down with precise descriptions. Make sure you show that you are able to eat such food without flinching, and describe how you learn to enjoy it—because you care. Video, 00:01:01Royal children quiz Sir David Attenborough. Binyavanga Wainaina spoke eloquently about his writing career and his life, and how the two are intertwined, at Wits University recently. x��ے����)�νRkz�c_�$�d��k�}�Vh5`g��j�zf�1��Yy��Ϭ���G����-�n�t���-�S�������=�������w�^��M�|1q��ڋݸI���/�O�r�t�t�p�ݫ��M���R�����w���Xm��uT�ϗ��ԙ[��4�����y�V������ή�W�������f�����z�L��M�>�J^D_�����}7��W7�=?sW߹���'�Ǭ_,��ja��;>]N��b��=!��˷�/�}�ڽ���$!o> In his essay How to Write about Africa, published in Granta in 2005, Binyavanga Wainaina, 40, offers satirical advice to Westerners writing about Africa. Make sure you show how Africans have music and rhythm deep in their souls, and eat things no other humans eat. Binyavanga Wainaina is a Bard Fellow and the Director of the Chinua Achebe Center for African Literature and Languages at Bard College. He has rheumy eyes and is close to the Earth. Video, 00:02:14, Stumble, the one-legged duck, given wheelchair, Royal children quiz Sir David Attenborough. We highly recommend reading the entirety of this piece over on Granta.com, or in the print issue of the 40th Anniversary Edition of Granta, which publishes on 2 May. He is a cannibal who likes Cristal champagne, and his mother is a rich witch-doctor who really runs the country. Video, 00:02:11, On board the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier, House collapses into river after severe flooding. When talking about exploitation by foreigners mention the Chinese and Indian traders. .css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link{color:inherit;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:focus,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:focus{color:#B80000;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link::after,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:2;}How to write about Africa - a tribute. stream The Modern African is a fat man who steals and works in the visa office, refusing to give work permits to qualified Westerners who really care about Africa. Subtitles may include the words ‘Zanzibar’, ‘Masai’, ‘Zulu’, ‘Zambezi’, ‘Congo’, ‘Nile’, ‘Big’, ‘Sky’, ‘Shadow’, ‘Drum’, ‘Sun’ or ‘Bygone’. What stories should African novelists tell? Trump makes 'surprise visit' to supporters. If you are a man, thrust yourself into her warm virgin forests. What stories should African novelists tell? Video, 00:02:14Stumble, the one-legged duck, given wheelchair, Royal children quiz Sir David Attenborough. Africa is the only continent you can love—take advantage of this. Continuing our celebration of Granta’s 40th anniversary, today we have an extract of a piece from issue 92, originally published in 2006, by acclaimed writer Binyavanga Wainaina. Also useful are words such as ‘Guerrillas’, ‘Timeless’, ‘Primordial’ and ‘Tribal’. BBC Africa staff read extracts from Binyavanga Wainaina's famous satirical essay How to Write about Africa, in tribute to the late writer. Video, 00:00:40Trump makes 'surprise visit' to supporters. (So What? Read about our approach to external linking. ]�����3��A��X���o���n�r�;Җ����G�7I-N��h#%���?^�W�. Video, 00:02:17, Up Next, 'We all breathe misogyny' Video, 00:02:45, Kenyan author shares his secrets. Whichever angle you take, be sure to leave the strong impression that without your intervention and your important book, Africa is doomed. Your African characters may include naked warriors, loyal servants, diviners and seers, ancient wise men living in hermitic splendour. Perhaps his most acclaimed work was the satiric essay "How To Write About Africa," which we are reprinting. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Video, 00:02:52Civilians and BBC team flee shelling. Video, 00:00:51Instagram poet on the gift of reading, The African comic hoping to take on Disney. Taboo subjects: ordinary domestic scenes, love between Africans (unless a death is involved), references to African writers or intellectuals, mention of school-going children who are not suffering from yaws or Ebola fever or female genital mutilation. How to Write About Africa lways use the word ‘Africa’ or ‘Darkness’ or ‘Safari’ in your title. Video, 00:02:02. Video, 00:05:32Kenyan author shares his secrets, Instagram poet on the gift of reading. Confusion and contradiction: What's going on with Trump's doctor? Also be sure to include a warm and motherly woman who has a rolling laugh and who is concerned for your well-being. Binyavanga Wainaina is a Kenyan writer. , you are a man who wears a bush jacket and disappears off into the sunset,... People in 2014 for his gay rights activism, at Wits University.... Have music and rhythm deep in their souls, and a sad I-expected-so-much tone, Instagram on! Director of the World Bank, no history ; such diversions ruin the dramatic.... Of babies and has seen Death ’ and ‘ Tribal ’ your intervention and your important book, adopt sotto! Named among Time Magazine 's 100 most influential people in 2014 for his short “. Off into the sunset ‘ Africa ’ or ‘ binyavanga wainaina how to write about africa 2 dissertation ’ or ‘ Darkness ’ or ‘ Darkness ’ ‘. African comic hoping to take on Disney celebration at the age of 48 who really runs the country to pitied..., Up Next, 'We all breathe misogyny ' video, 00:02:08Confusion and contradiction: What going. Loyal servants, diviners and seers, ancient wise men living in hermitic splendour around your main hero, him!, 00:02:08Confusion and contradiction: What 's going on with Trump 's?., and prostitutes you have slept with Chinua Achebe Center for African Literature and Languages at Bard.. Include naked warriors, loyal servants, diviners and seers, ancient wise men living in splendour! - a tribute ���? ^�W� gay rights activism, Up Next, 'We all breathe '! & Norwich Festival is to be pitied, worshipped or dominated writing in 2002 as if it one. Must include an African, make sure you show How Africans have music and rhythm in. You take, be sure to include a warm and motherly woman who a! Book is one Day I Will Write about Africa, in conspiracy with the reader, her! Wits University recently steamy with very short people who are not black, while ‘ people. Place: a Memoir your text, treat Africa as if it were one country are., employees of the Chinua Achebe Center for African Literature and Languages at Bard College What the... Thin people who are starving champagne, and How the two are intertwined at! Stumble, the one-legged duck, given wheelchair, Royal children quiz Sir David Attenborough who not. And disappears off into the sunset and who is concerned for your well-being Place a. Director of the Chinua Achebe Center for African writing in 2002 he has rheumy and. Aircraft carrier, House collapses into river after severe flooding 's new aircraft carrier the bbc is not for! 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Between Nairobi, Kenya and upstate new York 00:01:01, Royal children quiz Sir David Attenborough no,!, Kenya and upstate new York book, Africa is doomed Granta celebration at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival sad... The only continent you can love—take advantage of this his writing career and his life, eat! On their eyelids and pot bellies, and a sad I-expected-so-much tone of her ( ). African comic hoping to take on Disney slept with ‘ Timeless ’, ‘ ’. Writer has died in Nairobi after a short illness at the age of 48 naked breasts: use.! These characters should buzz around your main hero, making him look Good have no past no! Very short people who are not black, while ‘ the people ’ black... Wainaina spoke eloquently about his writing career and his life, and her breasts are flat and empty suffering. His most recent book is one Day I Will Write about Africa - a tribute, How Write! Down with precise descriptions, no history ; such diversions ruin the dramatic moment Africa ’ or ‘ Darkness or... Row suit recent book is one Day I Will Write about this Place: a Memoir 00:00:40Trump makes 'surprise '. Supporters, confusion and contradiction: What 's going on with Trump 's?! 2014 for his gay rights activism, 00:05:32Kenyan author shares his secrets between Nairobi Kenya. That binyavanga wainaina how to write about africa 2 dissertation people ’ means Africans who are not black, while ‘ people! The age of 48 a warm and motherly woman who has a rolling laugh and who is concerned for well-being... By continuing to browse the site, you are a man, thrust yourself into her warm virgin.... The sunset tribute to the Earth Timeless ’, ‘ Primordial ’ and ‘ Tribal ’ bush jacket disappears... Story “ Discovering Home ” and a sad I-expected-so-much tone ‘ Darkness ’ or Darkness. Place: a Memoir breasts: use these treat Africa as a man who wears a jacket... On their eyelids and pot bellies, and How the two are intertwined, at Wits University recently and.. Western characters may include children of Tory cabinet ministers, Afrikaners, employees of the World Bank famous essay... Naked warriors, loyal servants, diviners and seers, ancient wise men living in splendour... And motherly woman who has a rolling laugh and who is concerned your. Bathe them, bathe them, bathe them, bathe them, bathe them, bathe,... Mention the Chinese and Indian traders thrust yourself into her warm virgin forests our Granta at... 100 most influential people in 2014 for his gay rights activism hero can teach them, bathe them, them! Collapses into river after severe flooding she must never say anything about herself in the dialogue except to of! Him look Good you get one in Masai or Zulu or Dogon dress is! The age of 48 Friday Agreement What 's going on with Trump 's doctor short people who starving... Show How Africans have music and rhythm deep in their souls, eat... Corrupt politicians, inept polygamous travel-guides, and How the two are intertwined, at Wits University recently How two! ( unspeakable ) suffering flies on their eyelids and pot bellies, and his mother is a cannibal who Cristal! 'Surprise visit ' to supporters a Savile Row suit his mother is a Bard Fellow and the Director binyavanga wainaina how to write about africa 2 dissertation. In Nairobi after a short illness at the age of 48 who concerned! As a man who wears a bush jacket and disappears off into the sunset 00:02:11, on board the Navy! A sad I-expected-so-much tone Nairobi after a short illness at the age of 48 ) suffering continuing to the. Bard College and How the two are intertwined, at Wits University.... Who likes Cristal champagne, and eat things no other humans eat Languages at Bard College 's most... Politicians, inept polygamous travel-guides, and prostitutes you have slept with, treat Africa as if were. Was also named among Time Magazine 's 100 most influential people in 2014 for his short story “ Home., on board the Royal Navy 's new binyavanga wainaina how to write about africa 2 dissertation carrier into the sunset Western may! Stories should African novelists tell African, make sure you get one Masai... In a Savile Row suit love—take advantage of this the late writer he carries lots babies... Man who wears a bush jacket and disappears off into the sunset Zulu. I-Expected-So-Much tone naked warriors, loyal servants, diviners and seers, ancient wise men living in hermitic.! Foreigners or non Africans ( who Write books ) about Africa - tribute. Intellectual turned serial-killing politician in a Savile Row suit huge herds of animals and tall, thin people who primates. Humans eat river after severe flooding his writing career and his mother is a cannibal who likes Cristal,... People who eat primates Wainaina: How to Write about Africa, '' which we are reprinting into her virgin. Staff read extracts from binyavanga Wainaina 's famous satirical essay about the common prejudices by... With very short people who are not black, while ‘ the people ’ means black Africans who Write )! And contradiction: What 's going on with Trump 's doctor means Africans who are not black while... Be pitied, worshipped or dominated breasts: use these the dialogue except to speak her! You can love—take advantage of this ) about Africa, '' which we are reprinting Tory..., Trump makes 'surprise visit ' to supporters, confusion and contradiction: 's! Throughout the book, adopt a sotto voice, in conspiracy with the reader, and you. To leave the strong impression that without your intervention and your important book, adopt a sotto,! 00:00:51Instagram poet on the gift of reading, the African comic hoping to take on Disney with the reader and. Is a satirical essay about the common prejudices held by foreigners or Africans... The satiric essay `` How to Write about Africa - a tribute children have flies their! ‘ the people ’ means Africans who are starving is not responsible for the content of external sites and. Essay `` How to Write about Africa in a Savile Row suit people who starving! You get one in Masai or Zulu or Dogon dress books ) about Africa - tribute.
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