INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN LITERATURE

Summary

This video explores the rich tapestry of African literature, highlighting its history, forms, and famous works. It delves into the continent's diverse cultural heritage, the influence of slavery and colonization, and the emergence of unique literary movements like Negritude. The script discusses oral traditions and the evolution of written literature, showcasing the themes of cultural clash, colonialism, and African identity. Notable authors and their works are mentioned, emphasizing the importance of African literature in understanding the continent's past and present.

Takeaways

• 🌍 African literature encompasses the diverse histories, cultures, and traditions of the 54 nations that make up the African continent.
• 📜 The roots of African literature date back to ancient Egypt, with the development of hieroglyphs and the influence of Arabic poetry during the Arab conquest.
• 🌐 The blending of African, Arabic, and European cultures has resulted in a unique literary form that reflects the continent's rich history.
• 📚 Colonization and the African Diaspora have significantly impacted the themes of African literature, often focusing on the struggle against oppression and the desire for independence.
• 📖 The introduction of written literature in sub-Saharan Africa was facilitated by missionaries who established language schools to translate religious texts.
• 🖋 The Negritude movement of the mid-20th century was a literary and philosophical response to the cultural erasure by French colonialism, celebrating African values and identity.
• 🎭 African literature includes both oral and written forms, with oral literature playing a crucial role in cultural transmission through stories, myths, and proverbs.
• 📝 The themes of African literature often revolve around the clash between indigenous and colonial cultures, the condemnation of European subjugation, and the hope for an independent future.
• 📚 The three waves of literacy in Africa include the early discovery of written books in Autopia, the spread of Islam, and the influence of European trade, missionary activities, and colonialism.
• 📚 Famous African literary works include slave narratives, novels, and poems that have gained attention in the West, often reflecting on the horrors of slavery and the struggle for freedom.
• 📚 Prominent African writers, such as Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and Alice Walker, have contributed significantly to the richness and diversity of African literature.

Q & A

What are the common features of African literature?

African literature is built upon the history of slavery, colonization, violation, and humiliation, and it often reflects the disgustful life led by Africans.

How does African literature's history date back to ancient times?

African literature's history dates back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, with the use of hieroglyphs, which are pictures representing words.

What is the significance of the Arab conquest of Egypt in the 7th century CE to African literature?

The Arab conquest of Egypt led to the spread of Arabic poetry, which blended with African culture and contributed to the development of African literature.

How did colonization impact the themes of African literature?

Colonization, which involved the exploitation of indigenous people and resources, left an impact on the themes of African literature, often focusing on the clash between indigenous and colonial cultures.

What is the Negritude movement, and how did it emerge?

Negritude was a literary movement initiated by black intellectuals in the 1930s, emerging from a sudden grasp of racial identity and cultural values, and an awareness of the discrepancies between the promise of French assimilation and the reality.

What was the purpose of the 'Présence Africaine' journal founded by Alioune Diop in 1947?

The 'Présence Africaine' journal aimed to define African originality and highlight its introduction into the modern world.

How did the African Diaspora affect African literature?

The African Diaspora, which involved the forced splitting of African people and their enslavement in Western countries, influenced themes of African literature, often leading to a focus on the horrors of slavery and the slave trade.

What are the two kinds of literary forms in African literature?

The two kinds of literary forms in African literature are oral literature and written literature.

What is the role of oral literature in African culture and tradition?

Oral literature, which includes folktales, myths, epics, and proverbs, has flourished in Africa for centuries and plays a crucial role in transmitting culture and tradition to the next generation.

How did the spread of Islam contribute to the literacy wave in Africa?

The spread of Islam contributed to the literacy wave in Africa by establishing itself in North Africa and moving eastward, with believers writing in Arabic and contributing to the development of written literature.

What are some famous works and authors in African literature?

Some famous works in African literature include 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe and 'Heart of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad. Notable authors include Wole Soyinka, Nadine Gordimer, and Alice Walker.