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Binyavanga Wainaina Tells Us 'How To Write About Africa'

Editor's note: Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina died on Tuesday, May 22 after an illness. Perhaps his most acclaimed work was the satiric essay "How To Write About Africa," which we are reprinting.
The New York Times

A Provocative Satirist Left a Pervasive Legacy, Influencing African Writing

Binyavanga Wainaina attacked insulting clichés in the essay, “How to Write About Africa,” in 2005. In a posthumous collection of the same name, his range as a writer is on display. By Anderson Tepper ...
Northcountrypublicradio.org

Binyavanga Wainaina Tells Us 'How To Write About Africa'

The Kenyan writer died on Tuesday. Here is his famously sharp-edged essay. Editor's note: Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina died on Tuesday, May 22 after an illness. Perhaps his most acclaimed work ...
NPR

Binyavanga Wainaina Tells Us 'How To Write About Africa'

Always use the word 'Africa' or 'Darkness' or 'Safari' in your title. Subtitles may include the words 'Zanzibar,' 'Masai,' 'Zulu,' 'Zambezi,' 'Congo,' 'Nile,' 'Big ...
KCRW

Binyavanga Wainaina Tells Us 'How To Write About Africa'

When writing about the plight of flora and fauna, make sure you mention that Africa is overpopulated. When your main character is in a desert or jungle living with indigenous peoples (anybody short) ...