Jack Mapanje facts for kids

Jack Mapanje, born on March 25, 1944, is a famous writer and poet from Malawi. He used to lead the English department at the University of Malawi. In 1987, he was put in prison because of his poetry book, Of Chameleons and Gods. This book seemed to criticize the government of President Hastings Banda. After being held for several years, he was set free in 1991. He then moved to the United Kingdom and became a teacher there.

Early Life and Education

Jack Mapanje was born in Kadango Village, Mangochi District, Malawi. His parents were from the Nyanja and Yao groups. He studied for his first degree in education at the University of London.

After that, he worked as a lecturer in Malawi for a while. In the early 1980s, he went back to the UK. There, he studied linguistics at University College, London. Later, he became the head of the Language and Linguistics Department at the University of Malawi.

Why Jack Mapanje Was Imprisoned

During the time President Hastings Banda ruled Malawi, Jack Mapanje was put in jail. This happened in 1987, and he was held without any charges. It seemed to be because he published his poetry book, Of Chameleons and Gods.

The Book That Caused Trouble

This book subtly criticized President Banda's government. The "chameleon" in the title was a way for Mapanje to talk about the need to hide his true feelings. He felt this was necessary to criticize the politics of that time. The government did not officially ban the book. However, it was "withdrawn from circulation," meaning it was taken off shelves.

Help from Around the World

Amnesty International, a group that helps people who are unfairly imprisoned, called him a prisoner of conscience. They worked hard to get him released. As part of their efforts, a famous UK writer, Harold Pinter, read parts of Of Chameleons and Gods outside the Malawian High Commission in London.

Mapanje also received the 1990 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award while he was in prison. This award came with US$3,000. The president of PEN American Center, a writer named Larry McMurtry, said the award aimed to create enough attention to get Mapanje out of jail. Other famous writers, like Wole Soyinka from Nigeria, also campaigned for his freedom.

Release and Moving Away

Jack Mapanje was held for three and a half years. He was finally released in 1991. After his release, he was told he needed to reapply for his old job at the University of Malawi. Because of a long delay in his application, he decided to move to the UK instead. He later wrote a book about his experience in prison called And Crocodiles Are Hungry At Night. This book was also made into a play.

Life After Prison: Exile in the UK

After moving to the UK, Jack Mapanje received a special fellowship at The University of York. Later, he became a visiting professor at Leeds University. He also spent time teaching creative writing to people in prisons.

In 1994, he went back to Malawi with BBC2. They made a documentary about his return.

Understanding "Chameleon Politics"

Jack Mapanje is known for using the term "chameleon politics." This term describes a political situation where politicians often change parties. They also form new alliances quickly and without much explanation. This happens a lot in political environments where parties switch sides and new groups are formed very fast. He described this idea in his 1981 book, Of Chameleons and Gods.

Jack Mapanje's Books and Poems

• Of Chameleons and Gods, 1981
• The Chattering Wagtails of Mikuyu Prison, 1993
• The Last of the Sweet Bananas: New and Selected Poems, 2004
• The Beasts of Nalunga, 2007
• And Crocodiles are Hungry at Night – a memoir, 2011

Awards and Recognition

• 1988 Rotterdam Poetry International Award
• 1990 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award
• 2002 African Literature Association (USA) Fonlon-Nichols Award