African Literature-(G8-Q1-W1)

Summary

This educational script delves into the rich tapestry of African literature, highlighting its diverse genres and the cultural interweaving of various traditions. It distinguishes between chants and poems, providing examples like Toto's 'Africa' and Echo Mcgrade's 'I am an African Child', to illustrate their unique characteristics. The script also introduces notable African writers such as Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, emphasizing their contributions to global literature. Interactive self-assessment questions engage the audience, encouraging a deeper understanding of the literary forms and their cultural significance.

Takeaways

• 📚 African literature is defined by works created by authors living in countries on the African continent, mainly south of the Sahara, and it intertwines the traditions of numerous African peoples with historical influences from other continents.
• 🎭 Literary genres in African literature are diverse and include evolving forms such as chants, poems, folk tales, and short stories.
• 🗣️ A chant is a rhythmic phrase repeated by a crowd, often used in sports or sacred traditions, characterized by being quick, short, and focused on offensive or defensive moves.
• 🎵 An example of an African chant is 'Africa' by Toto Song, which uses repetition and rhythm to convey a message.
• 📝 A poem is a collection of words that express ideas or emotions in a vivid and imaginative verse, often with a specific rhythmic and metrical pattern.
• 🌍 An example of an African poem is 'I am an African Child' by Echo Mcgrade, which highlights the poet's feelings and aspirations.
• 👤 Notable African writers include Chinua Achebe, known for his novel 'Things Fall Apart,' and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a new generation writer with character-driven narratives.
• 🏆 Nadine Gordimer is recognized for her exploration of social, moral, and racial issues in South Africa under apartheid, with some of her works being controversially banned.
• 🔍 The self-assessment questions in the script help to differentiate between a chant and a poem, emphasizing the musical and rhythmic aspects of chants versus the vivid imagery and emotional depth of poems.
• 🎨 Poets use rhetorical devices and diction to evoke imaginative awareness and touch the hearts and minds of readers, while chants are designed to be memorable and encourage audience participation.
• 📖 The script encourages readers to identify literary genres, distinguishing between poems and chants based on their structural and functional differences.

Q & A

What is the definition of African literature as discussed in the script?

African literature is defined as literary works created by authors living in countries on the African continent, mainly lying south of the Sahara, reflecting the traditions of numerous African peoples and the historical development of cultural traditions from Europe, Asia, India, and America.

What are the distinguishing features of African chants?

African chants are repeated rhythmic phrases, typically shouted or sung in unison by a crowd, focusing on either offensive or defensive moves, and are quick, short, and make a point.

How are African chants used in sacred prayers and traditions?

In African culture, chants are used during sacred prayers and traditions to invoke a sense of unity and spiritual connection among participants.

What is the main function of a poem according to the script?

The main function of a poem is to convey an idea or emotion in beautiful language, using vivid and imaginative verse to paint a picture of what the poet feels about a subject.

How does the script differentiate between a chant and a poem?

A chant is a repeated rhythmic phrase used in unison, often for encouragement or during sacred rituals, while a poem is a collection of words with a particular rhythmic and metrical pattern that expresses ideas or emotions.

What are some examples of notable literary genres of African writers mentioned in the script?

The script mentions chants and poems as examples of notable literary genres contributed by African writers.

Can you name some of the most influential African writers as per the script?

Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Nadine Gordimer are mentioned as some of the most influential African writers.

What themes are commonly addressed in the works of African writers according to the script?

Themes commonly addressed in African literature include social and cultural issues such as women's rights, feminism, post-war and post-colonial identity.

What is the significance of the poem 'I am an African Child' by Echo McGrade?

The poem 'I am an African Child' by Echo McGrade is significant as it reflects the resilience and aspirations of African children, emphasizing the need for opportunities and the rejection of pity.

How does the script describe the role of a chant in a sports context?

In a sports context, the script describes a chant as a quick, rhythmic phrase used to encourage the team to be defensive, take the ball back, or score during sideline plays, short timeouts, and quick breaks.

What is the purpose of the self-assessment questions in the script?

The self-assessment questions in the script are designed to reinforce the understanding of African literature, the characteristics of chants and poems, and to engage the reader in active learning.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to African Literature

This paragraph introduces the topic of African literature, emphasizing its diversity and the influence of various cultural traditions from Africa, Europe, Asia, India, and America. It defines African literature as works by authors from countries south of the Sahara. The paragraph also explains the concept of literary genres and their fluidity, providing 'chant' as an example of a genre, characterized by its rhythmic and repetitive nature used in both sports and sacred African traditions. An example of an African chant, 'Africa' by Toto, is presented to illustrate the genre.

05:01

🎼 The Art of Chants and Poems in African Literature

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of African chants and poems. It contrasts chants, which are quick, rhythmic, and often used in unison for encouragement or during breaks, with poems, which are more elaborate, expressive, and follow a rhythmic and metrical pattern to convey emotions or ideas. The paragraph provides an example of an African poem, 'I am an African Child' by Echo McGrade, to demonstrate the depth and beauty of poetic expression. It also mentions the importance of understanding the differences between these two literary forms.

10:02

🌏 Notable African Writers and Their Impact

This paragraph shifts the focus to notable African writers and their contributions to literature. It highlights the works of Chinua Achebe, particularly 'Things Fall Apart,' which explores the clash of traditional values with colonial rule, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, known for her character-driven narratives that weave in social and political events. The paragraph also mentions Nadine Gordimer, whose works tackled social and racial issues in apartheid-era South Africa. These writers are celebrated for their diverse and impactful portrayals of African experiences.

15:04

📝 Self-Assessment Questions on African Literature

The fourth paragraph introduces self-assessment questions to engage the audience and test their understanding of African literature. It covers topics such as the interweaving of culture and traditions in African literature, characteristics of chants, and the features that distinguish poems from chants. The correct answers are provided, reinforcing the learning points about the importance of culture in African literature, the brevity and repetitiveness of chants, and the depth and vividness of poems.

20:08

🔍 Identifying Literary Forms: Poems and Chants

The final paragraph provided in the input challenges the audience to identify whether given texts are poems or chants. It presents four texts with varying themes and styles, encouraging the application of the knowledge gained from the previous discussion. The correct identifications are provided, with the first and fourth texts classified as poems and the second and third as chants, demonstrating the audience's comprehension of the literary forms discussed.

Keywords

💡African Literature

African Literature refers to the body of literary works created by authors living in African countries, primarily south of the Sahara. It encompasses a rich tapestry of narratives and themes that reflect the continent's diverse cultures, histories, and social issues. In the video, African Literature is discussed in the context of its various genres, such as chants, poems, folk tales, and short stories, highlighting its unique characteristics and contributions to the global literary landscape.

💡Literary Genres

Literary genres are categories of literary composition, which may be defined by criteria such as length, content, or form. The script mentions that African literature is distinguished by a variety of genres that are constantly evolving, indicating the dynamic nature of African storytelling. Examples provided in the script include chants and poems, showcasing the diversity within African literary expression.

💡Chant

A chant is a repeated rhythmic phrase, typically shouted or sung in unison by a crowd. It is characterized by brevity and directness, often used for encouragement or during sacred rituals. In the script, chants are discussed as a notable genre in African literature, with an example provided by the song 'Africa' by Toto, illustrating how chants can convey a message or evoke emotions through repetition and rhythm.

💡Poem

A poem is a collection of spoken or written words that express ideas or emotions in a vivid and imaginative manner, often following a particular rhythmic and metrical pattern. The script distinguishes poems from chants by noting that they do not have a musical accompaniment and are primarily focused on the beauty of language and imagery. An example from the script is 'I am an African Child' by Echo McGrade, which uses language to convey a powerful message about identity and aspiration.

💡Folk Tales

Folk tales are stories that are part of the oral tradition, passed down through generations within a culture or community. They often contain moral lessons, historical accounts, or cultural beliefs. Although not explicitly defined in the script, the mention of folk tales as a genre suggests their importance in African literature for preserving cultural heritage and values.

💡Short Stories

Short stories are brief works of fiction that tell a complete story with characters, a plot, and a setting. They are typically shorter than novels and can explore a wide range of themes and styles. The script lists short stories as one of the notable literary genres contributed by African writers, indicating their role in offering concise narratives that capture the essence of African experiences.

💡Notable Writers

The term 'notable writers' refers to authors who have made significant contributions to literature and are widely recognized for their work. In the context of the video, notable African writers such as Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Nadine Gordimer are highlighted for their influential works that address important social, cultural, and political issues within African societies.

💡Cultural Traditions

Cultural traditions are the customs, beliefs, and practices that are passed down within a culture or society. The script emphasizes that African literature is interwoven with the cultural traditions of numerous African peoples, reflecting the depth and richness of these traditions in the narratives and themes of the literature.

💡Self-Assessment Question

A self-assessment question is a type of quiz or exercise designed to test a learner's understanding of a topic. In the script, self-assessment questions are used to engage the audience in active learning about African literature, its genres, and characteristics, with examples provided to guide the audience in identifying the correct answers.

💡Rhythmic Pattern

A rhythmic pattern refers to the arrangement of syllables and stresses in speech or writing that creates a regular, repeating sequence, often found in poetry and chants. The script discusses the importance of rhythmic patterns in distinguishing between chants and poems, with chants having a repeated rhythmic phrase and poems having a more complex pattern that contributes to their aesthetic quality.

💡Vivid Imagery

Vivid imagery is the use of descriptive language to create a mental picture or evoke strong emotions in the reader. It is a key element in poetry, as highlighted in the script, where poets use imagery to paint a picture of their feelings or ideas, allowing readers to experience the depth and nuance of the poet's message.

Highlights

Introduction to African literature with a focus on notable literary genres and their distinguishing features.

African literature is defined by works created by authors from African countries, mainly south of the Sahara.

Literary works in Africa reflect the interweaving of cultural traditions from various continents.

Literary genres in African literature are diverse and constantly evolving.

A chant is a rhythmic phrase repeated by a crowd, often used in sports or sacred prayers in Africa.

A poem is a collection of words expressing ideas or emotions in a vivid and imaginative verse.

Differences between a chant and a poem include the use of music and the structure of rhythm and meter.

Example of an African chant: 'Africa' by Toto Song, illustrating the rhythmic and repetitive nature of chants.

Example of an African poem: 'I am an African Child' by Echo Mcgrade, showcasing the vivid imagery and emotional expression.

Notable African writers such as Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Nadine Gordimer are highlighted for their contributions to literature.

Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' is mentioned for its depiction of the clash between tribal values and colonial rule.

Chimamanda Adichie's works are recognized for their character-driven narratives and social commentary.

Nadine Gordimer's works explore social, moral, and racial issues in South Africa under apartheid.

Self-assessment questions are provided to engage students in understanding the concepts of African literature.

A Venn diagram activity is suggested for students to differentiate between a poem and a chant.

The importance of chants in encouraging audience participation and the emotive power of poems are discussed.

A practical exercise is given to identify texts as either poems or chants, reinforcing the learned distinctions.

Transcripts

hello a blessed day everyone

today we're going to discuss on african

literature

so class you are expected to describe

the notable literary genres

contributed by african writers identify

the distinguishing features of notable

african chants

poems folk tales and short stories

list down notable literary genres of

african writers

as well is there anyone who knows about

african literature or you have read

about african literature before

what do you think is african literature

african literature is defined as a

literary works created

by the authors living in countries on

the african continent

mainly lying south of the sahara

[Music]

in african literature the traditions of

numerous african peoples

and interwoven historical development of

the cultural traditions of

europe asia india

and america are intertwined

literature of african countries is

distinguished by a variety of genres

that are constantly evolving and mutate

what is a literary genre

a literary genre is a category of

literary composition

genres may be defined by or even

as in the case of fiction length

the distinctions between genres and

categories are flexible and loosely

defined

often with subgroups

so class what are the examples of

literary genres

we have here examples of literary genres

chant and point so what is a chant

[Music]

a chant is a repeated rhythmic phrase

typically one shouted or sung in unison

by a crowd

a chant tends to be two to four lines

repeated over and over

a chant is quick short and makes a point

what makes a chant chants tend to focus

on either offensive or defensive moves

the best times to use a chant include

first while on the sideline during plays

to encourage your team to be defensive

take the ball back or make a basket or

goal

third during short time outs and quick

breaks that call for something

from the cheerleaders but might not

allow enough time

for a full-blown cheer

[Music]

and finally in africa chants are also

used during sacred prayers

and traditions

would you like to listen to an example

of an african chant

very good i have here an example of an

african chant

titled africa by toto song

this is what you're going to do i want

you to listen

very closely are you all ready

africa by toto song

i hear the drums echoing tonight but she

hears only whispers of some quiet

conversation

she's coming in 12 30 flight

the moonlight wings reflect the stories

that guide me towards salvation

i stopped an old man along the way

hoping to find some long forgotten words

or ancient

melodies he turned to me as if to say

hurry boy it's waiting there for you

it's gonna take a lot to drag me away

from you

there is nothing that a hundred million

or more could ever do

i bless the reins down in africa

gonna take some time to do the things we

never had

the wild dogs cry out in the night as

they grow restless longing for some

solitary company

i know that i must do what's right as

sure as kalimanjaro rises like olympus

above the serengeti

i see to cure what's deep inside

[Music]

this time we have another literary genre

a poem do you know what a poem is

a poem is a collection of spoken or

written words

that express ideas or emotions in a

powerfully

vivid and imaginative verse

a poem is comprised of a particular

rhythmic and metrical pattern

a poem's main function is to convey an

idea

or emotion in beautiful language

it paints a picture of what the poet

feels about a thing

person idea concept or even an emotion

so now do you know already the

difference between a chant and a poem

very good this time would you like to

listen to an example of a point

i have here an example of an african

poem

titled i am an african child

[Music]

i am an african child by echo mcgrade

i am an african child born with a skin

the color of chocolate

bright brilliant and articulate strong

and bold i am gifted

talented enough to be the best i

am an african child often the target of

pity

my future is not confined to charity

give me the gift of a lifetime

give me a dream a door of opportunity i

will drive

i am an african child

do not hide my fault show me my wrong

i am like any other

teach me to dream and i will become i

am an african child

so there you have it the examples of

african chant

and an african poem how did you find

them

[Music]

what have you observed

what makes them different from one

another

[Music]

where does the difference lie

alright since we're done with example of

african chant and african poem

let's move on to some notable writers of

africa

i want you to take down notes

so let's begin in a continent as

ethnically and culturally diverse as

africa

it comes as no surprise that the

literature

has emerged from it be equally diverse

and multifaceted

dealing with a range of social and

cultural issues

from women's rights and feminism to

post-war

and post-colonial identity

here are some of africa's best

contemporary writers

number one chinua achibi

one of the world's most widely

recognized

and praised writers achieving wrote some

of the most extraordinary works of the

20th century

his most famous novel things fall apart

in 1958 is a devastating depiction of

the clash

between traditional tribal values and

effects of colonial rule

as well as the tension between

masculinity and femininity

in highly patriarchal societies

number two chimamanda ngozi adichie

born in nigeria in 1977

chimamanda ngosi adichie is part of the

new generation of african writers

taking the literary world by storm

adich's works are primarily

character-driven interweaving the

background of her native nigeria

and social and political events

and lastly we have nadine gordimer

her works powerfully explore social

moral and racial issues in a south

africa

under apartheid rule gordy murst's

most famous and controversial works were

banned from south africa

for daring to speak out against the

oppressive governmental structures of

the time

so there you are class the most notable

writers of

africa this time let us continue with a

self-assessment question

so this is what you're going to do for

the self-assessment question number one

i want you to read with me and answer

each question

carefully choose only the letter of your

best answer

so are you all set let us start

number one what is mostly interwoven

in african literature a

culture and traditions b food and

cuisine

c arts and dances d

technology what do you think is the

correct answer

the correct answer is letter a culture

and traditions

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

number two all are true about

chance except a

it is mostly repeated be

it is often long c it is quick and fast

d it is sung in unison

what do you think is the correct answer

the correct answer is letter b it is

often long

[Applause]

lastly number three which of the

following is not a characteristic of a

song

a it can be written or spoken

b it often follows major and rhyme

c is it is vivid and imaginative

d it is always short in nature

what do you think is the correct answer

the correct answer is letter d it is

always short in nature

very good so there you are for saq1

self-assessment question number two

class is what you're going to do

from the given definition make a venn

diagram on the difference of a poem

from a chant you may write this

on a paper so this is the answer for the

self-assessment question number two

poem and chant are both described as a

composition of words with similar nature

the major difference between them is

that a chant is set to music

while a poem is not it is comprised of a

particular rhythmic

and metrical pattern instead while a

chant it is repeated rhythmic phrase

typically one shouted or sung in unison

by a crowd

a chant tends to be two to four lines

repeated

over and over it is quick and makes a

point

before we will end up with our lesson

today i want you to keep this in mind

remember that chants tend to be easy to

remember

so encourage the audience to get

involved as well

you can do this by having one

cheerleader motion them to join

in with cards or by placing a few

students in the stands

to encourage other fans to chant along

while for poems poets grab the attention

of the audience through the use of vivid

imagery emotional shades and other

rhetorical devices

however the supreme function of a poem

is to transform imagery

and words into verse form to touch the

hearts and minds of the readers

they can easily arouse the sentiments of

their readers

through diversification in addition

poets evoke imaginative awareness about

things

by using a specific diction sound

and rhythm

let's see how much have you learned

today so this is what you're going to do

class

identify each of the following texts

whether it is a poem or a chant

simply write your answer on your paper

are you ready number one

just the same i want you to read with me

to the children we call our future

have no shoes to put on their feet who

have barely any food to eat

who believe in some unreal hope but

still dare to dream

wild and free cheers to the folks who

stand by the wayside

who search high and low for world

unknown will they ever find

a place called home probably probably

not

we wait chin chin a lesson we learned

you took everything and yet left so much

you left us hanging

do we regret the departure we still take

a long walk of shame

until we finally snap was sale

all who made the attempt to restore some

peace to chaos

to restore hope to despair you got

caught in the web

of toils and sacrificed to defy all odds

of a better life for

everyone now a toast to all who fought

to those who are still fighting to those

who marry in the war

to those who take advantage of the frail

to the injustice done to us

to the justice we will fight for bottoms

up

bottoms up by aman wama

what do you think is the correct answer

the correct answer is point

very good let's move on

number two don't cry don't cry

don't cry and let anyone see your mouth

there is cold in your mouth

don't cry and let anyone see your mouth

an

english translation of kafuga cradle

song

ghana west africa

what do you think is the correct answer

the correct answer is chant

very good number three

walking to africa what do i see i can

see in yoka looking at me

walking through africa what do i see i

can see a fury

looking at me walking through africa

what do i see

i can see in lovu looking at me walking

through africa

what do i see i can see it cozy looking

at me

walking through africa

what do you think is the correct answer

the correct answer is chant

job well done number four

the giraffe and the elephant went for a

walk

they stopped in some shade and started

to talk

i wish it would rain said the giraffe

with a sigh

i'm tired of watching the clouds pass us

by

yes said the elephant where is the rain

i wish i could eat fresh green leaves

again

the sun is so hot and the land is so dry

when will the rain fall from the sky

later in the day the sky turned gray

the flying ants flew out to say

the rain is coming we smell it in the

air

and in the distance thunder we hear

the giraffe and the elephant look up at

the sky

and heard the black eagle give forth his

cry

the rain has come the rivers will flow

the dry season is over now that green

grass will grow

where is the rain

[Music]

what do you think is the correct answer

[Music]

the correct answer is chant

[Applause]

congratulations

[Music]

[Music]

you