A Short Introduction to African Literature

A Short Introduction to African Literature

By Arun Prasad R

The following thoughts would enumerate on what qualifies it to be the body of African literature, and what we can expect from the African literature landscape in the coming years.

 

  • African Literature, refers to the literary works that are created by African writers, that are centred around African themes, experiences, perspectives, culture, geography, experiences, histories and societies.
  • It refers to the written literature, it can also encompass oral traditions, story telling,  performance traditions, histories and societies found around the African continent.
  • Qualifying itself to be African literature depends on certain factors:
  • Author-Firstly, African literature is usually identified by an African author, someone who is from Africa or somebody with an African descent.
  • Themes and settings-Secondly, the material must explore themes which reflect social political and cultural aspects unique to Africa or something that resonate with African societies. It should reflect the nuances, complexities, identities and contexts of the African lived experiences. (the way they raise children, sign languages, eye conversations, songs, food, contexts)
  • Diversity in African literature-African literature can also encompass literature from African indigenous literatures. Sometimes it may be entirely in traditional story telling technique or may incorporate contemporary literary styles and techniques.
  • There are numerous and exceptional African Literary works which received universal recognition:
  • Things Fall Apart- Chinua Achebe-Nigerian- this novel explores the conflict between the African culture and the fossils of colonialism
  • Half of the Yellow Sun- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie- Nigerian- story of Biafran war and its impact on personal and social lives.
  • The Cairo Trilogy- Naguib Mahfouz- Egyptian Nobel lauerate- presents an Egyptian family in contrast to the changes in political situations from 1910 to 1950s.
  • Disgrace- J M Coetzee- S Africa- book explores Power, race and personal redemption in post apartheid S Africa- critique of personal and societal disintegration.
  • So Long a Letter - Mariama Ba- Senegelese- explores on polygamy, gender inequality and the challenges experienced by woman of Africa.
  • Houseboy- Ferdinand Oyono- Cameron- novel portrays a poerful critique of a young house boy's experiences during the French colonialism.
  • Ngugi wa Thiongo- Kenya- Weep Not Child
  • This reflects only a mere fraction of the multitude and diverse plethora of African literature.
  • African literature of the future:
  • African literature can portray psychological aspects or mental health of human life in the African context
  • Memory of Love
  • Environmental concerns and awareness.
  • Gender bias- sufferings of woman- subject of woman fighting conventional thoughts of woman hood.
  • Diaspora and identity- present complexities of belongingness, displacement and interconnectivity of African community across the globe. 
  • Disability and inclusion.
  • Technology and digital divide
  • Speculative fiction- Imagined futures from an African lens 
  • African literature can continue to evolve and contribute employing the above mentioned themes to a broader understanding of African experience.

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