THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF COLONIALISM IN CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE'S PURPLE HIBISCUS AND NGUGI WA THIONGO'S THE RIVER BETWEEN

ABSTRACT

Colonialism not only exploited Africa's resources but also sought to erase its rich cultural heritage. The imposition of languages, foreign values and belief systems helped colonial powers to suppress African tradition, leading ultimately to a loss of identity, cultural neglect and historical amnesia. This essay, therefore, explores how Colonialism fosters the neglect and marginalisation of African customs, spiritual beliefs and languages in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Purple Hibiscus and Ngugi wa Thiongo's The River Between, showing how the characters neglect the African tradition due to their contact with colonial powers. The research method applied in this essay is a textual analysis of the selected novels, thereby making it a qualitative research. Consequently, by fully acknowledging this cultural neglect, we as Africans can reclaim and honour the richness of African traditions and promote its rich cultural heritage.