Culture and Self-Actualisation in Zulu Sofola’s Wedlock of the Gods and Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Ngugi wa Mirii’s I will Marry When I Want

Abstract

This paper examines how cultural norms shape and sometimes hinder self-actualisation in African societies, using Zulu Sofola’s Wedlock of the Gods and Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Ngugi wa Mirii’s I Will Marry When I Want. Through African feminist theory; the study highlights how characters challenge patriarchal and neocolonial constraints in pursuit of identity and agency. Many times, characters adapt radical approaches as they strive for the pursuit of self-actualisation and personal fulfillment defiantly. It argues that culture acts as both an anchor of identity and a barrier to personal growth, calling for a critical review of cultural practices in light of evolving human rights and gender equity.