Overview
This lecture explores the complexities, history, and key characteristics of African literature, highlighting its origins, development, and major themes.
Defining African Literature
- African literature is difficult to define due to Africa's 54 diverse nations, each with unique histories, cultures, and languages.
- Some believe African literature must be written in African languages; others accept any language if the author is African.
Historical Development
- African literature dates back thousands of years, beginning with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
- Arabic poetry influenced African literature after the Arabic conquest of Egypt (7th century CE) and in West Africa (9th century CE).
- African, Arabic, and later European cultures blended to shape modern African literature.
- Colonization and the slave trade deeply affected African societies and literary themes.
- The African Diaspora refers to the forced migration of Africans through slavery from the 16th to 19th centuries.
- Missionaries in the 19th and early 20th centuries helped develop written African literature by establishing schools and translating texts.
- Most renowned African literary works, such as Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," appeared after the 1950s.
Characteristics and Forms of African Literature
- African literature is produced in both African and European languages for various audiences.
- It originates from all parts of Africa, including North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Oral tradition is central, with folktales and legends shared to transmit guidance and cultural history, especially to children.
- Early African literature featured oral stories, folktales, and legends.
- African writers published in newspapers and expanded to hymns, romance, poetry, fiction, diaries, biographies, and autobiographies.
- Slave narratives, such as Olaudah Equiano's 1789 account, drew international attention to the horrors of slavery.
- Twentieth-century African literature often protested colonization and advocated for independence, expressing pride and hope for the future.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Colonization — When people from one country settle in another, often exploiting indigenous people and resources.
- African Diaspora — The forced migration of Africans, especially through slavery, across the world.
- Oral Tradition — Sharing stories, history, and advice verbally across generations.
- Slave Narrative — An autobiographical account written by former slaves detailing their experiences.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review major works of African literature mentioned, such as "Things Fall Apart."
- Study examples of African oral traditions and slave narratives for further understanding.