Siku ya Watenzi wote [ The day of all creators]

Siku ya Watenzi wote [ The day of all creators]

In his last novels, such as the two above written shortly before his death in 1962, Robert became more reformist in principle and critical of his times. Utubora mkulima is an attack on capitalist society and its evils. Perhaps as a sequel in this reformist theme, Siku ya Watenzi wote, written shortly before independence was granted to (then) Tanganyika in 1961, he addressed the issue of what kind of society should be envisioned after uhuru [freedom] was granted.

Robert frequently used names for people in his writings that were an expression of the virtues or vices that the character represented. Utubora, meaning “good humanity,” was used, for example, to idealize rural life and values as opposed to the vices of the city.

Shaaban bin Robert

(London : Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1967) (Diwani ya Shaaban ; 9)

Swahili, English