https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/108 DAHR 2026-04-22T02:43:49Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/280 Oral Tradition as an Instrument of Revolutionary Change In Ngugi W A Thlongo's Devil on the Cross Ahmed, Kabir Ngugi wa Thiong'o started out as a cultural-cum-political nationalist as well as a deeply religious novelist. At the time he wrote his early novels, his loyalties were divided between his reverence for Christian religion and his desire to defend aspects of the Gikuyu cultural tradition and politics. Ngugi wa Thiong'o started out as a cultural-cum-political nationalist as well as a deeply religious novelist. At the time he wrote his early novels, his loyalties were divided between his reverence for Christian religion and his desire to defend aspects of the Gikuyu cultural tradition and politics. For instance, in his portrayal of Christianity in The River Between (1965) Ngugi was both encouraged to see religion as positive, because it taught reconciliation and unity- his two main concerns in the story, and also as negative, because its champions attempted to wipe out aspects of the Gilcuyu cultural tradition which he cherished as a cultural nationalist. 1992-01-01T00:00:00Z