In the literary world, there are some who leave a deep and lasting mark, and Binyavanga Wainaina is no exception. With his provocative and satirical essay “How to Write About Africa,” published in 2005, Wainaina took aim at the insulting and often damaging clichés that had long plagued Western depictions of the continent. And while Wainaina passed away in 2019, his legacy lives on in a posthumous collection of the same name.
In this collection, readers get a glimpse of Wainaina’s range as a writer, from his gritty and heart-wrenching personal essays to his biting political commentary. Perhaps most striking, however, is his deep love of Africa and his desire to see it portrayed honestly and accurately in literature. Through his writing, he sought to challenge the mainstream narrative of Africa as a place of war, poverty, and disease, and instead paint a more nuanced and complex portrait.
It’s clear that Wainaina’s influence on African writing has been pervasive. His unapologetic approach to tackling difficult topics, his refusal to shy away from uncomfortable truths, and his skill in using humor to make a point have all inspired a new generation of writers on the continent. From Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to NoViolet Bulawayo, Wainaina’s impact on African literature is clear.
But perhaps the most enduring part of Wainaina’s legacy is his call to action. In “How to Write About Africa,” he issued a challenge to writers everywhere: to do better, to move beyond the tired clichés and stereotypes, and to truly see Africa for what it is. And as we continue to grapple with issues of representation in literature, that challenge remains just as important today as it did when Wainaina first wrote those words.
Binyavanga Wainaina may be gone, but his influence on African writing will be felt for generations to come. Through his writing, he reminded us of the power of words to shape our perceptions of the world, and challenged us to use that power wisely. And for that, we can all be grateful.
