Maisha ni kugharimia

About the Author and the Work

Mathias E. Mnyampala (1917–1969) was a renowned Tanzanian lawyer, writer, and poet who composed his works in Kiswahili. The original manuscript of his autobiography was written between 1968 and 1969, shortly before his passing.

Discovery and Provenance

This unpublished work remained unknown to the scientific community for nearly 40 years. It was located, identified, and brought to light in 2007 in Dodoma (United Republic of Tanzania) by the researcher Mathieu Roy, following the scholarly directives of Professor Mugyabuso Mlinzi Mulokozi from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).

During his field research, Mathieu Roy successfully located the author’s heir, who had been safeguarding his father's records. The document had been preserved in Dodoma, alongside other unpublished manuscripts and rare literary archives, by Charles M. Mnyampala—the author’s second son—who was entrusted by his father in 1969 with the mission to conserve and publish these precious records.

The 2013 Posthumous Edition

This 2013 edition represents the first posthumous publication of the original manuscript. It restores Mnyampala’s complete autobiographical text and includes an introduction by Charles M. Mnyampala. It features reproductions of documents from the Mnyampala archives, including the initial manuscript pages of the autobiography, official records, and photographs.