The literary landscape of Africa is often associated with the voices of African people during colonialism and the slave trade. However, African literature encompasses a much broader scope, stretching from stories of pre-colonial Africa to narratives of post-colonial Africa. It reflects the continent's rich and diverse experiences, making it an integral part of the literary world.
African literature plays a crucial role in amplifying underrepresented voices and allowing for the retelling of historical and present-day experiences. It is characterized by specific features that are typically present regardless of the country of origin.
Language is a key aspect of African literature. Before the influence of colonial powers, stories were primarily shared through oral performance and music. However, with the arrival of European powers, African writers turned to European languages such as English, Portuguese, and French to share their stories. While some critics accused them of catering to a Western audience, their intention was to express their experiences in a language that the oppressors could understand.
The history of Africa has had a profound impact on its literature. Themes of freedom, identity, and liberation are commonly explored by writers. The period between 1881 and 1914, known as the "Scramble for Africa," saw European powers colonize much of the continent, with only a few countries remaining untouched. Additionally, the four hundred years of the Atlantic slave trade also shaped African literature. Some of the freed slaves used their literacy to write about their harrowing experiences, fighting against the atrocities of slavery. Notable writers from this era include Ottobah Cugoano, Olaudah Equiano, and Ignatius Sancho.
The Négritude movement began in the 1930s and was led by African people living in places controlled by the French. It aimed to raise awareness about 'Black consciousness' and protest against French colonization. The influential poets who used Négritude in their work include Aimé Césaire, Léon Damas, and Sédar Senghor.
African literature has a rich and diverse history, with many different categories and themes. It reflects the continent's past, present, and future, making it an integral part of the global literary landscape.
A unique aspect of post-colonial African literature is the use of both western and African languages by writers during this period. Themes commonly explored in these works include the clash between modernity and tradition, the connection between Africa's past and present, individualism versus collectivism, the concept of foreignness versus indigenous identity, and the conflicting ideologies of capitalism and socialism. These themes are often used to explore the complexities of what it means to be African in a rapidly changing world.
Notable authors such as Chinua Achebe, in his work 'Arrow of God' (1964), and Ngugi wa Thiong'o, in 'Wizard of the Crow' (2006), effectively reflect these themes in their writing.
A quote from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'Purple Hibiscus' (2003) beautifully illustrates the theme of the relationship between Africa's past and present. The character of Kambili struggles with her identity as she has been conditioned to see God as white and superior. Adichie's use of imagery, comparing God's hands to those of a white priest, speaks to the ingrained belief in the supremacy of whiteness that still plagues African societies.
"When she made a U-turn and went back the way we had come, I let my mind drift, imagining God laying out the hills of Nsukka with his wide white hands, crescent-moon shadows underneath his nails just like Father Benedict's."
Short stories are a powerful and compact medium for exploring various aspects of African literature. Let's take a look at some noteworthy collections and the themes they tackle.
This collection delves into the role of women in times of war. It depicts the experiences of women during the Nigerian civil war and highlights the bravery of women leaders within Biafra's military organizations. Nwapa also sheds light on the struggles of these women as they fight against bureaucratic systems that prevent them from representing their homeland on a global scale. The stories also touch upon women's reluctance towards war, with some shying away from politics and others willing to make any sacrifice to protect their loved ones from being conscripted.
Makumbi's collection of short stories revolves around the lives of Ugandans in Britain and their struggle to find a sense of belonging in a society that often excludes them. Whether they are visible individuals or barely noticed, whether they work as caretakers for the elderly or in hospitals, Makumbi's characters face the challenges of not fully integrating into "White British" life. As their homeland becomes a distant memory, these characters navigate their new identities in Britain.
This surreal tale is set in a version of Lagos where women must create children out of natural materials and words from an elderly woman. These children must be cared for a year before coming to life. Through this story, Arimah critiques society's obsession with children and the notion that a woman's worth is tied to motherhood.
African American literature has a vibrant and influential history. Let's take a journey through some significant moments in the timeline of this literature:
During the 18th and 19th centuries, enslaved individuals began to share their experiences through autobiographical writings known as "slave narratives". While Olaudah Equiano's The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789) may not have been a prominent text in the American abolitionist movement, it played a crucial role in spreading the anti-slavery message in Britain.
Written by African Americans who had escaped or been freed from slavery, slave narratives gained prominence in the early 1800s. Frederick Douglass' Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) is considered a pivotal text in the American abolitionist movement, selling thousands of copies before the Civil War. It is estimated that around 30,000 copies were sold.
The American abolitionist movement, inspired by the strategies of British abolitionists, aimed to end slavery in the United States in the 19th century. Led by various individuals between 1830 and 1870, this movement gained momentum and played a significant role in the Civil War.
Harriet Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861) was another impactful slave narrative published during the Civil War. Originally released in a newspaper, it sheds light on the intersectionality of discrimination faced by African Americans, specifically women, in society.
The term "intersectionality" refers to how different social categories, such as gender, class, and race, can intersect and lead to further discrimination. For instance, the experiences of black women may differ from those of black men due to their gender, age, or disability.
After the Civil War, the Jim Crow laws were enforced in the southern states, further enforcing racial segregation between black and white individuals. This prompted influential works from black writers like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Dubois, such as Up from Slavery (1901) and Souls of Black Folk (1903). These books explored issues of social mobility and the right to equal treatment for African Americans in employment and education.
By the early 20th century, black writers gained recognition in fiction and poetry. Claude McKay's renowned poem "If We Must Die" (1917) addresses racial discrimination and the civil rights of black individuals, specifically the violence caused by the Jim Crow laws.
In 1952, Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man was published, delving into the socio-political struggles faced by African Americans in the South and Harlem. The book suggests that racism is not limited to a particular geographic region, but rather exists in the consciousness of American society.
In later years, female authors like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker made significant contributions to African American literature with their works. Walker's The Color Purple (1982) portrays segregation in Georgia during the 1930s, while Morrison's Beloved (1987) tells a harrowing tale of a family's experience during the American Civil War and the atrocities of the slave trade.
African literature can be categorized into four types, depending on the period in which it was written or performed: oral African literature, pre-colonial African literature, colonial African literature, and post-colonial African literature.
African oral literature was primarily passed down through storytelling and often included mythical and historical tales. Pre-colonial African literature covers the 15th to 19th centuries and includes accounts of the Atlantic slave trade, based on the folklore of various regions in Africa.
Colonial African literature was produced between the end of World War I and African independence, often focusing on themes of independence, liberation, and négritude.
African writers have used both Western languages and African languages in their works. Some of the prominent themes explored in post-colonial African literature include the relationship between modernity and tradition, the connection between Africa's past and present, individuality and collectivism, foreignness and indigenous identities, capitalism and socialism, and the definition of what it means to be African.
African literature is a vibrant and multifaceted genre that encompasses a range of literary works, drawing from both indigenous languages and European influences. Beyond just written pieces, it also reflects the rich tradition of oral storytelling. Let's delve into this fascinating genre.
Some of the most renowned works in African literature include Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Half of a Yellow Sun" and "Purple Hibiscus," and Toni Morrison's "Beloved." These books have captured the hearts of readers worldwide with their powerful narratives and thought-provoking themes.
African literature often centers around themes of colonization, African pride, and independence. This is because many African writers use their work as a tool to explore their sense of identity and the impact of colonization on their culture. Other common themes include tradition, displacement, liberation, and nationalism.
The diverse spectrum of African literature can be broadly categorized into five key themes: colonialism, tradition, displacement, liberation, and nationalism. These themes reflect the struggles and triumphs of African societies throughout history, and are deeply intertwined with the growth of the continent.
One of the most distinctive features of African literature is its fusion of oral and written traditions, such as riddles, proverbs, and songs. This blending adds a unique flavor to African literature, setting it apart as an original and captivating genre.
