The History of African Literature (Part 2: Post-Colonial Literature)| 20th Century African Writers

Summary

This script delves into the history of African literature, focusing on the post-colonial period from the Berlin Conference of 1884 to Africa's independence in 1960. It discusses the impact of colonization and missionaries on traditional African storytelling, the rise of written literature in colonial languages, and the emergence of movements like Negritude that celebrated African identity. The script highlights key literary works and authors who addressed themes of racism, identity crisis, and the struggle for freedom, leading to the era of Pan-Africanism.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the history of African literature, focusing on the transition from pre-colonial to post-colonial literature.
• 🗣️ It highlights the impact of the Berlin Conference of 1884, which marked the beginning of the colonial period and the subsequent influence on African literature.
• 🌍 The script emphasizes the division and occupation of African lands by European colonizers and the resulting oppression and exploitation of African people.
• 🎓 The arrival of Christian missionaries introduced Western languages to Africa, leading to a shift from oral traditions to written literature in colonial languages.
• 📖 The script mentions 'Ethiopia Unbound' by Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford as the first African novel written in English, addressing the issues of colonization and emancipation.
• 💪 The Negritude movement is discussed as a literary and cultural response to demeaning colonial ideas, celebrating African heritage and identity.
• 📚 Post-World War II literature is noted for its strong themes of liberation, freedom, and independence, reflecting the growing awareness and resistance to colonial rule.
• 📖 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe is highlighted as a landmark novel that respectfully and complexly portrays African society, countering racist narratives like Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'.
• 🌐 The script touches on the role of literature in fostering nationalism and the push for independence across African nations.
• 🎉 The script concludes by looking forward to the next installment, which will explore the evolution of literature in the post-independence era of Africa.
• 🌟 The video is part of a series by 'Mimsy Africa', an online brand that explores African art, culture, and history in a modern and engaging way.

Q & A

What is the focus of the second part of the MIMC Africa special on the history of African literature?

The focus of the second part is on post-colonial literature, covering the period from the Berlin Conference in 1884 to the year of Africa in 1960.

Why is the literature from the period after colonization referred to as 'post-colonial' rather than 'colonial' literature?

The term 'post-colonial' is used to signify literature that emerged as a response after the colonization, emphasizing that it came 'after' the colonial period and does not necessarily mean the end of colonial influence.

How did European colonizers treat the lands and people they occupied during the colonial period?

European colonizers occupied and divided African lands without regard for the original inhabitants, often through oppressive means, extracting natural resources, and enforcing their own religious and cultural beliefs.

What impact did Christian missionaries have on the African continent during the colonial period?

Christian missionaries exposed Africans to Western languages, often dismissing local customs and traditions, and promoting Western values and beliefs, which led to the decline of traditional storytelling practices and the rise of written literature in colonial languages.

Can you provide an example of the racial brutality and exploitation during the colonial period as mentioned in the script?

One example is King Leopold of Belgium's rule over the Congo, where he is said to have wiped out around half of the native population through brutal, slave-like governing while claiming to be a civilized, god-fearing Catholic.

What was the significance of the Negritude movement in West African literature?

The Negritude movement was significant as it opposed demeaning ideas about African culture by celebrating the essence, beauty, and magnificence of African traditional ways through poetry and literature.

What is the first African novel written in English and who is its author?

The first African novel written in English is 'Ethiopia Unbound: Studies in Race Emancipation' by Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford.

How did the literature of the post-colonial period address the predicament of African people under colonial rule?

Post-colonial literature often addressed themes of liberation, freedom, and independence, interrogating the negative impacts of colonialism and advocating for the recognition and preservation of African culture and identity.

What is the significance of 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe in the context of African literature?

'Things Fall Apart' is significant as it was a response to Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' and provided a respectful and dignified portrayal of African society, becoming one of the most influential and well-known African novels.

How did literature contribute to the push for African nationalism and independence?

Literature contributed by highlighting themes of identity crisis, Western satire, racism, oppression, cultural clashes, unity, solidarity, spiritualism, black pride, and freedom, which helped to form a collective push for nationalism and independence.

What themes are commonly found in post-colonial African literature?

Common themes include racism, identity crisis, cultural clashes, unity and solidarity, the negritude movement, spiritualism, black pride, and the struggle for freedom and independence.