Muhando, Penina O.

▪ African playwright

born 1948, Tanganyika [now Tanzania]

      Tanzanian playwright and scholar, one of the few female writers published in the Swahili language as of the late 20th century.

      Muhando studied education and theatre in Tanzania at the University of Dar es-Salaam, later joining the faculty of the department of theatre arts. Her plays include Hatia (1972; “Guilt”), Tambueni haki zetu (1973; “Reveal Our Rights”), Heshima yangu (1974; “My Honour”), and Pambo (1975). They explore a variety of themes and situations but generally are concerned with contemporary problems involved in Tanzanian society's rapid adjustment to development and westernization. Muhando's work is distinguished by excellent characterizations and a natural, realistic use of modern standard Swahili. In addition to her plays, Muhando wrote several scholarly works in English dealing with Swahili literature, including Culture and Development: The Popular Theatre Approach in Africa (1991). She also appeared in the film Mama Tumaini (1986).

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