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Questions and Answers
What does the concept of losing face signify in Asian hierarchical relationships?
What does the concept of losing face signify in Asian hierarchical relationships?
How are Afro-Asian countries primarily characterized in terms of cultural priorities?
How are Afro-Asian countries primarily characterized in terms of cultural priorities?
What role does maintaining good face play in Asian societies?
What role does maintaining good face play in Asian societies?
How is Afro-Asian literature traditionally transmitted across generations?
How is Afro-Asian literature traditionally transmitted across generations?
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In what way does Afro-Asian literature reflect nature?
In what way does Afro-Asian literature reflect nature?
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What themes are commonly found in Afro-Asian literature?
What themes are commonly found in Afro-Asian literature?
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What is a primary purpose of Afro-Asian literature according to cultural traditions?
What is a primary purpose of Afro-Asian literature according to cultural traditions?
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What consequence does shame have in Asian cultures?
What consequence does shame have in Asian cultures?
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What does the title of Aminatta Forna's memoir refer to?
What does the title of Aminatta Forna's memoir refer to?
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Which of the following works is NOT authored by Nadine Gordimer?
Which of the following works is NOT authored by Nadine Gordimer?
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What central theme is explored in Ben Okri's writings?
What central theme is explored in Ben Okri's writings?
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How are Alain Mabanckou’s novels primarily characterized?
How are Alain Mabanckou’s novels primarily characterized?
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What was a significant consequence of Nadine Gordimer's writings during the apartheid era?
What was a significant consequence of Nadine Gordimer's writings during the apartheid era?
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What narrative perspective is primarily used in Forna's 'The Memory of Love'?
What narrative perspective is primarily used in Forna's 'The Memory of Love'?
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Which Somalian proverb inspired the title of the novel 'From a Crooked Rib'?
Which Somalian proverb inspired the title of the novel 'From a Crooked Rib'?
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What major issues does Alain Mabanckou address in his writings?
What major issues does Alain Mabanckou address in his writings?
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What is Hem Vejakorn best known for?
What is Hem Vejakorn best known for?
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Which award did Kanokphong Songsomphan win in 1996?
Which award did Kanokphong Songsomphan win in 1996?
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What notable contribution did Gregorio F. Zaide make?
What notable contribution did Gregorio F. Zaide make?
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What work is attributed to Kanokphong Songsomphan besides Phaendin Uen?
What work is attributed to Kanokphong Songsomphan besides Phaendin Uen?
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What profession did Nick Joaquin's parents have?
What profession did Nick Joaquin's parents have?
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Which of the following best describes Encarnacion Alzona's contributions?
Which of the following best describes Encarnacion Alzona's contributions?
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How did Nick Joaquin continue his education despite not finishing high school?
How did Nick Joaquin continue his education despite not finishing high school?
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What aspect of life did Hem Vejakorn portray in his artwork?
What aspect of life did Hem Vejakorn portray in his artwork?
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What is a major characteristic of African Oral Tradition?
What is a major characteristic of African Oral Tradition?
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How did Arabic literacy influence African literature?
How did Arabic literacy influence African literature?
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What type of literature features both human beings and animals in storytelling?
What type of literature features both human beings and animals in storytelling?
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What role did Islam play in Northern Africa's historical context?
What role did Islam play in Northern Africa's historical context?
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Which of the following is NOT a genre of African literature?
Which of the following is NOT a genre of African literature?
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What function do proverbs serve in African cultures?
What function do proverbs serve in African cultures?
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Which colonial language is associated with Francophone African literature?
Which colonial language is associated with Francophone African literature?
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What do African myths typically explain?
What do African myths typically explain?
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How does the poem 'Africa' by David Diop characterize Africa's history?
How does the poem 'Africa' by David Diop characterize Africa's history?
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What literary device does Diop utilize through the phrase 'this back that never breaks'?
What literary device does Diop utilize through the phrase 'this back that never breaks'?
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What is the significance of the tree mentioned in the poem, according to Diop?
What is the significance of the tree mentioned in the poem, according to Diop?
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In the context of the celebration of culture, which statement reflects a common comparison between African and Filipino traditions?
In the context of the celebration of culture, which statement reflects a common comparison between African and Filipino traditions?
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What emotion is primarily conveyed through the phrase 'the bitter taste of liberty' in Diop's poem?
What emotion is primarily conveyed through the phrase 'the bitter taste of liberty' in Diop's poem?
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What is the main theme explored in Nadine Gordimer's works?
What is the main theme explored in Nadine Gordimer's works?
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Which novel by Ngugi wa Thiong'o led to his imprisonment?
Which novel by Ngugi wa Thiong'o led to his imprisonment?
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In which year did Nadine Gordimer win the Nobel Prize in Literature?
In which year did Nadine Gordimer win the Nobel Prize in Literature?
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What is the primary focus of the activity 'Role Playing: Lights, Camera, and Action'?
What is the primary focus of the activity 'Role Playing: Lights, Camera, and Action'?
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Which of these roles is NOT assigned in the group activity?
Which of these roles is NOT assigned in the group activity?
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Which of the following was banned in South Africa due to its controversial content?
Which of the following was banned in South Africa due to its controversial content?
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What is the maximum duration of the group presentation activity?
What is the maximum duration of the group presentation activity?
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Which of the following works is NOT authored by Ngugi wa Thiong'o?
Which of the following works is NOT authored by Ngugi wa Thiong'o?
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Study Notes
Afro-Asian Literature Objectives
- Discuss Afro-Asian literature
- Identify Africa's historical background
- Characterize African literature
- Differentiate oral and written literature
- Discuss various African languages
- Identify various African writers
- Appreciate African literary works in English
- Critique an African literary piece
Afro-Asian Literature Questions
- Define Afro-Asian Literature
- List countries considered part of Afro-Asian Literature
- Describe cultural norms and traditions associated with the countries listed
- Summarize characteristics of Afro-Asian Literature
- Identify common themes in Afro-Asian Literature
- Name influential writers of Afro-Asian Literature
Africa
- Second largest continent, covering one-fifth of Earth's land surface
- Has 200+ languages and 300+ distinct ethnic groups
- Home to Earth's most genetically diverse population
- Africa values community, with proverbs emphasizing collective well-being
- Dialogue and conversation are highly valued in African cultures.
- Hospitality is a deeply held value, expressed through traditional offerings (like kola nuts)
- African culture places high importance on respecting others and community
Asia
- Largest and most populous continent
- Cradle of human civilisation and birthplace of many world religions
- Asian values often emphasise interconnectedness within the family and extended social groups
- Harmony and respect for social standing are highly valued
- Benevolence, obligation, and honour are valued in Asian cultures
- Losing face is a concept that carries significant weight in many Asian societies
Afro-Asian Literature Genres
- Playwriting
- Poetry
- Prose
Common Themes in Afro-Asian Literature
- Nature is often a major theme, reflecting deep respect and power that is associated with it
- Peace and striving for social harmony
- The expression of strong emotions
Influential African Writers
- Chinua Achebe: Known for Things Fall Apart, showcasing the conflict between traditional and colonial cultures.
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Author of Purple Hibiscus and Americanah, known for her exploration of issues of race and gender in Africa and the diaspora.
- Wole Soyinka: One of Africa's most celebrated playwrights, using his literary works to critique societal issues facing Africa and its people
- Ayi Kwei Armah: Known for his intense and powerful depictions of political devastation and social frustration
- Mariama Bâ: Explored the struggles faced by women under patriarchal structures
- Nuruddin Farah: His work deals with social criticism through the lens of wartime and post-colonial struggles
- Aminatta Forna: Exploring the struggles of her family in the Sierra Leone civil war
- Nadine Gordimer: Known for her powerful works that explored the racial divide under apartheid.
- Alain Mabanckou: Author of Broken Glass, delving into the experiences of African immigrants in France,
- Ben Okri: His work grapples with the devastation of the Nigerian civil war and the spirit world,
- Ngugi wa Thiong'o: His work often focuses on the impact of colonialism on East African societies, often written in the native Gikuyi language.
Influential Asian Writers
- Binlah Sonkalagiri
- Chart Korbjitti
- Chit Phumisak
- Hem Vejakorn
- Kanokphong Songsomphan
- Nick Joaquin
- Gregorio F. Zaide
- Encarnacion Alzona
- Teodoro Agoncillo
- Abe Kobo
- Osamu Dazai
Historical Background of African Literature
- Oral tradition was the initial form (rich in folktales, myths, riddles, proverbs)
- Literacy in Arabic came through the introduction of Islamic religion to Ghana. Arab influence further increased via trade and slavery.
- Arabic script was adopted for Swahili which became a lingua franca
- African Literature is composed in different African and colonial languages (ex. French, Portuguese, English)
- The 19th century saw authors criticising colonialist ambitions and advocating for independence
- In the post-colonialist era, authors denounced apartheid or other injustices.
- Contemporary African literature documents corruption within modern African governments
Different African Languages
- Afroasiatic language family
- Click languages
- Niger-Congo languages
- Nilo-Saharan languages
- Khoisan languages
- Austronesian languages
Characteristics of African Literature
- Preserves the rich culture and traditions
- Explanations of the creation of the universe, activities of gods, and the essence of existence
- Controversial topics like racial discrimination, political conflicts, civil war, gender sensitivity, and human rights issues
- Written in both African and European languages (including Amharic, Zulu, Hausa, and Swahili)
- Various periods from ancient Africa to the post-colonial period, post-independent/contemporary period
African Literature Activities
- Role-playing activity with the class split into groups and assigned roles (Researcher, Developer, Discussant, Participant, Assessor, Monitor)
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Description
Test your knowledge on the intricacies of Afro-Asian literature and cultural priorities. Explore themes such as 'losing face' in Asian relationships, the transmission of literature across generations, and the works of notable authors like Nadine Gordimer and Aminatta Forna. This quiz delves into the cultural significance of literature from the Afro-Asian perspective.
