Bsed-English 3: African Literature Report PDF

Section & Year: BSEd-ENGLISH 3 Topic: AFRICAN LITERATURE Professor: VIOLETA CRUZ-ESPERANZA, MAEd Date: SEPTEMBER 04, 2024 **AFRICAN LITERATURE** **History of African Literature** - African literature isn\'t just the voices of African people during colonialism and the slave trade. It cove...

Section & Year: BSEd-ENGLISH 3 Topic: AFRICAN LITERATURE Professor: VIOLETA CRUZ-ESPERANZA, MAEd Date: SEPTEMBER 04, 2024 **AFRICAN LITERATURE** **History of African Literature** - African literature isn\'t just the voices of African people during colonialism and the slave trade. It covers the stories of African people before colonialism, during colonialism, and after colonialism (this is known as post-colonial literature). **Pre-Colonial African Literature** - It is the literature written between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries and includes the Atlantic slave trade. - Period before the coming of the white man. - The Occurrence of Berlin Conference of 1884, aka \"The Scramble for Africa\". **Colonial African Literature** - It was produced between the end of World War I and African independence (the date of which depends on the different countries, such as Ghana\'s 1957 independence from British control and Algeria\'s independence in 1962 from France). It contained themes of independence, liberation and négritude. **Post-Colonial African Literature** - It was characterized by its focus on the disruptive effects of European colonialism on traditional African society. - Writers in this period wrote in both western languages and African languages. - As African nations began to emerge from centuries of colonial rule, writers reflected on the imposition of Western values on the African people and examined the new conflicts that accompanied independence. After colonialism, the African writers started to write in European languages such as English, Portuguese, and French. **Table of Contents** A. **Characteristics of African Literature** B. **African Writers and Poets** C. **African Poems and Short Stories** D. **African Literature** - Africa by David Diop - Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer - Anticipation by Mabel Dove-Danquah A. **CHARACTERISTICS OF AFRICAN LITERATURE** 1. **Orality** Many African literary works are rooted in oral traditions and are transmitted through storytelling, music, and performance. This tradition is still evident in contemporary African literature, with many writers incorporating oral forms and techniques in their writing. 2. **Colonialism** The impact of colonialism on Africa and its people is a recurring theme in African literature. Many African writers explore the effects of colonialism on African societies, cultures, and identities. 3. **Cultural identity** African literature often emphasizes the importance of cultural identity and the struggle for self-definition in the face of external forces. African writers frequently explore the tensions and conflicts that arise between traditional African values and modern Western influences. 4. **Political engagement** African writers have historically been politically engaged and have used their writing to critique oppressive regimes, advocate for social justice, and promote national liberation. 5. **Language** African literature is often multilingual, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the continent. While some works are written in English, French, or Portuguese, many African writers also use local languages to express themselves. 6. **Oral and written traditions** African literature blends oral and written traditions, which are often interwoven to create a rich and complex narrative. The use of oral storytelling techniques, such as repetition and call-and-response, is also common in African literature. 7. **Community and social issues** African literature often addresses social issues such as poverty, gender inequality, and the impact of war and conflict on communities. Many African writers seek to use their work to raise awareness of these issues and promote positive change. **B. AFRICAN WRITERS AND POETS** 1. **Chinua Achebe** - Achebe's two best-known books: Things Fall Apart and No Longer at Ease - His work is a long reflection on colonialism - He is one of the most famous African writers, and many expected him to receive a Nobel Prize in Literature. - Unfortunately, he didn't receive the award before his death in 2013.  **Things Fall Apart** Perhaps the best-known African novel in the English-speaking world, Things Fall Apart tells the story of pre-colonial life in a village in southern Nigeria and the cultural shock that came with the arrival of the British at the end of the 19th century. This novel is fascinating in many ways: in the glimpse he provides into a past and unrecognizable world and culture; in what he recounts and depicts; in the universalism of the remarks and the reflection on upheavals that communities can be confronted with. Achebe does all this without falling into the nostalgia of the past or blindly promoting the merits of progress. 2. **Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie** - Adichie is only 42 years old, but she's already recognized as one of the most significant African writers of her generation. - Born and raised in Nigeria before studying in the United States. - Adichie started her career to some acclaim with Purple Hibiscus. - In 2017, Fortune magazine ranked Adichie as one of the 50 most influential people in the world. **Half of a Yellow Sun** Told from three perspectives, Half of a Yellow Sun is about the human impacts of the Biafran War (also known as the Nigerian Civil War). First is Ugwu, a 13-year-old boy who works as a houseboy for a professor of mathematics, Odenigbo. Second is Olanna, who is married to Odenigbo and estranged from her parents after they try to offer her as a bribe to advance their business interests. As war breaks out, Olanna and Odenigbo are forced to flee from their homes because they're seen as socialists. Lastly is Olanna's sister Kainene, who starts the novel involved in her parents' business and even profits off of the war, but later becomes disillusioned by the violence and chooses to run a refugee camp in order to help others. Like other novels mentioned here, much of the struggle in this book comes from the impossible position African countries were put in during the 20th century. Adichie was raised during the aftermath of the Biafran War, and said she felt the need to address the specter of historical violence in her writing.  3. **Alain Mabanckou** - Alain Mabanckou is a French-Congolese writer and a professor of French literature at the University of California. - He became known in 1998 with his first novel, Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, for which he received the Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire --- one of the major literary prizes for French-language literature in Africa. - He also published the exceptional essay Dictionnaire enjoué des cultures africaines ("Joyful Dictionary of African Cultures") in collaboration with Djibouti novelist Abdourahman Waberi.  **Petit Piment (\"Black Moses\")** With great simplicity, Alain Mabanckou recounts the life of a Congolese boy --- Petit Piment, which literally means "Little Pepper" --- through the 1960s and '70s. It's a life full of adventures that tells the story of Mabanckou's Congo, as well as the upheavals of history. The book is short and quick to read, and it makes a marvelous introduction to the very particular universe of the author. 4. **Ngugi wa Thiong'o** - Ngugi wa Thiongʼo is a Kenyan author whose works are written in English and the Kikuyu language. - He's currently professor and director of the International Center for Writing and Translation at the University of California. - Ngugi is a prominent intellectual figure in East Africa. - After decades writing novels in English, Ngugi's 1986 essay Decolonising the Mind is a farewell to the language: "How was it possible that we, African writers, exercised such weakness in defending our own languages and such greed in claiming foreign languages, starting with those of our colonizers?" - Now, Ngugi wa Thiong'o writes only in his native language, Kikuyu, to reach the audience he wants to address first and foremost.  **A Grain of Wheat** A Grain of Wheat is the novel that gained Ngugi international acclaim and a place among the most successful African writers of the 20th century. It tells a number of intertwined stories that take place during Kenya's fight for independence. The main plot follows a seemingly calm and solitary young man as he and his home village prepare to celebrate Uhuru Day (Kenyan Independence Day). But in the background, former members of the resistance prepare to execute a traitor who had betrayed them during the fight. 5. **Wole Soyinka** - Soyinka was the very first African writer to receive this award. - He is a prolific author who's written novels, memoirs, short stories, essays, poetry, and numerous theatrical plays. - The Nobel committee specifically called out the richness of Soyinka's universe that "with a cultural and poetical perspective, models the drama of human existence."  **Death and the King\'s Horseman** While Wole Soyinka has written in many media, he is first and foremost a playwright. And Death and the King's Horseman is the most well-known, most studied, and most discussed play by Soyinka. Written in 1975, this anti-colonialist drama was inspired by real-life events when the king died during the colonization of Nigeria by the British Empire. According to Yoruba tradition, his dog, his horse, and his horseman were to accompany him in death. Drama ensues when a British officer who finds the practice barbaric intervenes. 6. **Chekwube O. Danladi** - Danladi was born in Nigeria and is now the writer in residence at Occidental College in Los Angeles. - Her work is powerfully political, taking a hard look at racism in both Nigeria and America. - Her poetry is both playful with forms and tightly controlled, which is a fantastic juxtaposition.  7. **Christopher Okigbo** - Okigbo was a fantastic African poet who died far too young. - He was born in and spent his entire life in Nigeria, crafting beautiful poetry and nurturing writing communities in Nigeria. - His work was beautiful and muscular, pulling no punches when addressing race or Nigerian politics. 8. **Dennis Brutus** - Dennis Brutus was a poet in South Africa, though he was much better known as an activist who spoke out against Apartheid. - He was jailed in the process of trying to have South Africa banned from the Olympics over Apartheid, and his poetry focused heavily on Apartheid as well, as many African poets did. 9. **Ejiofor Ugwu** - Ugwu is one of the youngest poets on this list; he\'s from Nigeria and is currently pursuing his MFA at Syracuse University. - He has already been published in prestigious journals like Guernica and Poetry Society. - Every one of his poems feels new and fresh, bringing great energy and Nigerian influences into his verse. 10. **Fmia Nkansa** - Nkansa is from Ghana, and she uses visual art alongside her poetry as she delivers social commentary with every line. - Her work focuses on mothers, abuse, interracial relationships, and so much more. She\'s an African poet you can\'t look past. **C. AFRICAN POEMS AND SHORT STORIES** [POEMS] **"Telephone Conversation" by Wole Soyinka** Soyinka's "Telephone Conversation" is a sardonic commentary on racial politics. In the form of a dialogue between a white operator and a Black caller, the poem is outstanding not only for its humorous approach to a rather serious issue, but also for its spectacular use of imagery. **Stand-out lines:** "Facially, I am brunette, but madam, you should see The rest of me. Palm of my hand, soles of my feet Are a peroxide blond." **"How to Survive the Fire" by Romeo Oriogun** In 2017, the Nigerian poet Romeo Oriogun won the Brunel International Poetry Prize with a packet of poems that included "How to Survive the Fire." The poem, charged with lyric and imagery, has been a living anthem on the endangered lives of queer Nigerians as well as the politics of silence for the LGBTQ+ Nigerian. **Stand-out lines:** "I tell you the truth, my mouth is clean but on my tongue are cities where boys are beaten to death. Say Lagos, say Onitsha, say Lafia, say cities where the only freedom for a man who loves another man is to leave. I tell you this so you understand my silence, understand why I crawled into my voice, I do not want to die." **"Home" by Warsan Shire** Since the publication of her collection of poems, Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth, in 2011, Warsan Shire has become an instrumental voice for refugees and immigrants --- from Somali to Syria, Mexico to Malawi. A statement on the war crisis in the poet's native country, "Home" talks about war and the consequences of war in Africa, while yet addressing immigration policies in the Global North. **Stand-out lines:** "no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark you only run for the border when you see the whole city running as well your neighbors running faster than you breath bloody in their throats" **"Water" by Koleka Putuma** When Koleka Putuma performed her winning poem for the PEN SA Student Writing Prize at TEDxStellenbosch, it caused a bit of stir among the mostly white audience. Written during the \#RhodesMustFall protests, "Water" revisits the question of religion and race with a scathing yet wise tone. **Stand-out lines:** "Since the days of Elijah, we have been engineered to kneel to whiteness And we are not even sure if the days of Elijah even existed Because whoever wrote the bible did not include us But I would rather exist in that god-less holy book than in the history books that did not tell truth about us." [SHORT STORIES] **"Year of the Elephant" by Leila Abouzeid** In the story, the protagonist, Zahra, has just returned to her hometown after being divorced by her husband for being too traditional and unable to keep up with his modern way of life. Having devoted herself, alongside her husband, to the creation of an independent Morocco, she had expected to share the fruits of independence with him, but instead she finds herself cast out into a strange world. As Zahra struggles to find a place for herself in this new Morocco, her efforts reflect Moroccan society\'s attempt as a whole to chart a path in the conflict between tradition and modernism.  **"The Girl Who Can" by Ama Ata Aidoo** In The Girl Who Can Ama Ata Aidoo looks at the roles and rules, and the games people find themselves playing, often unwillingly. Aidoo elevates the mundane in women\'s lives to an intellectual level in an attempt at challenging patriarchal structures and dominance in African society. Written from a child\'s perspective, Aidoo subverts the traditional beliefs and assumptions about the child\'s voice. Her inimitable sense of style and eloquence, explores love, marriage and relationships with all the issues they throw up for the contemporary African woman. In doing so, she manages to capture the very essence of womanhood. **"What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky" by Lesley Nneka Arimah** The daughters, wives and mothers find themselves in extraordinary situations: a woman whose mother\'s ghost appears to have stepped out of a family snapshot, another who, exhausted by childlessness, resorts to fashioning a charmed infant out of human hair, a \'grief worker\' with a miraculous ability to remove emotional pain - at a price. What unites them is the toughness of the world they inhabit, a world where the future is uncertain, opportunities are scant, and fortunes change quicker than the flick of a switch. Characterized by their vividness, immediacy and the author\'s seemingly endless ability to conjure worlds at once familiar and unsettlingly different, this collection showcases the work of an extraordinarily talented writer at the start of a brilliant career.  **D. AFRICAN LITERATURE** **African Literature** **(Africa by David Diop)** - **AFRICA** is a poem by French-African poet David Diop that paints a complete picture of Africa, including its pre-colonial glory and colonial suffering as the nation traversed a difficult journey through time and evolution. - The poem expresses a hope - a hope for a post-colonial Africa that can spring beautifully like a flower after finally being freed from the heavy, corroded chains of oppression. - His poems, like "Africa," also known as "Africa my Africa," are considered a piece of protest against the oppressive French colonial rule. **David Diop**  - Born July 9, 1927, Bordeaux, Fr. died 1960, Dakar, Senegal) was one of the most talented of the younger French West African poets of the 1950s, whose tragic death in an airplane crash cut short a promising career. - Diop\'s works in Coups de pilon (1956; \"Pounding\"), his only surviving collection, are angry poems of protest against European cultural values. - He was the most extreme of the Negritude writers (who were reacting against the assumption underlying the French policy of \"assimilation\" that Africa was a deprived land possessing neither culture nor history). - He wrote during the period when the struggle for independence in many African countries was at its height. **Africa by David Diop** Africa my Africa Africa of proud warriors in ancestral savannahs Africa of whom my grandmother sings On the banks of the distant river I have never known you But your blood flows in my veins Your beautiful black blood that irrigates the fields The blood of your sweat The sweat of your work The work of your slavery Africa, tell me Africa Is this your back that is unbent This back that never breaks under the weight of humiliation This back trembling with red scars And saying no to the whip under the midday sun But a grave voice answers me Impetuous child that tree, young and strong That tree over there Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers That is your Africa springing up anew springing up patiently, obstinately Whose fruit bit by bit acquires The bitter taste of liberty. **ABOUT THE POEM** - The poem "Africa" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that tackles the issues of colonization, cultural identity, and resistance. - Diop emphasizes the strength and resilience of Africans, challenging colonial narratives that depicted them as inferior. The poem also explores the theme of cultural pride and the longing for freedom and self-determination. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Diop evokes a sense of unity and solidarity among Africans. Overall, "Africa" is a poignant and empowering poem that celebrates African identity and challenges historical injustices. **THEMES** - **[Identity & Nationalism]** In "Africa," Diop reminisces about the marvelous land of his ancestors and the history that has been passed down to the generations and finally reached him. He feels one-half of himself is in his homeland, Africa, even though he has neither lived in Africa nor fully experienced what it means to be an African living under colonial rule. - **[Colonization & Suffering]** Diop's "Africa" is a protest against the atrocities of colonizers. - **[Cultural Heritage]** Diop explores the theme of cultural heritage in this poem. He alludes to the courage of tribal warriors who bravely fought against the colonial invasion. His grandmother sings in praise of Africa. It means that Africans still took pride in their history even if they were dominated by an alien culture and portrayed as an inferior race. - **[History of Africa]** The speaker takes pride in his nation's glorious past. Through the songs of his grandmother, he came to know about the courage of tribal fighters who tried to stop the colonizers. This poem shows the brief history of Africa before and after colonization. Before colonization, Africa was a self-sufficient nation. Afterward, when colonizers came, they undermined the indigenous culture, traditions, and lives. **SYMBOLISM** Diop employs several symbols in this poem. Some of the important symbols include: - **[Black Blood:]** The "beautiful black blood" of Africa is symbolic of identity. The later lines describe the painful lives of Africans as enslaved people. - **[Back:]** The term "back" symbolizes the African spirit that is unconquerable and firm. It never breaks or bends. - **[Whip:]** The "whip" is a symbol of slavery. - **[Tree & Fruit:]** The "tree" in the poem is a symbol for the nation, and its "fruit" represents Africans. The tree that grows "young and strong" among the "faded flowers" is Africa repairing itself slowly after being hacked and exploited by colonizers. The fruit (or Africans) of that tree has to acquire a sense of liberty before finally asserting their right. **IMAGERY** In "Africa," Diop uses the following types of imagery: - Visual Imagery - Tactile Imagery - Auditory Imagery - Gustatory Imagery **TONE & MOOD** - The tone of the poem is filled with the poet's admiration and empathy for Africa and its people. **"Once Upon a Time"** **Nadine Gordimer** **ABOUT THE AUTHOR** - Born in 1923 in South Africa and - Died at the age of 90 in 2014. - South African novelist and short-story writer - major theme was exile and alienation - Awards And Honors: Nobel Prize (1991) Booker Prize (1974) - first book was Face to Face (1949) **SIGNIFICANCE IN LITERATURE:** - Gordimer's writing not only showcases her literary talent but also serves as a historical record of apartheid-era South Africa, reflecting the struggles and resilience of those fighting for equality. Her legacy endures in the ongoing discussions about race, identity, and freedom. - **Historical Context of Once Upon a Time:** Apartheid in South Africa: The backdrop of "Once Upon a Time" is apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation implemented by the National Party after their 1948 election victory. This system enforced severe discrimination against Black, Indian, and mixed-race individuals while privileging the white minority. - **Racial Segregation:** The apartheid government divided the population into four racial groups, with distinct living areas, political rights, and economic opportunities. Unlike in other countries, apartheid was explicitly rooted in a white supremacist ideology, denying basic human rights to non-white citizens. - **Dismantling Apartheid:** Secret negotiations began in the late 1980s, culminating in the dismantling of apartheid laws and the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990. This marked the beginning of a new era for South Africa, moving towards a more democratic and equitable society. - **Resistance and Violence:** As opposition to apartheid grew, the government responded violently. Thousands of dissidents were imprisoned, and the regime even developed nuclear weapons amid rising tensions. This era was marked by both internal resistances, notably from the ANC, and international condemnation, leading to sanctions against the apartheid regime. **SUMMARY OF "ONCE UPON A TIME"** The Narrator\'s Fear: In "Once Upon a Time," the unnamed narrator, a writer, is disturbed by a creaking sound in her home, fearing it may be an intruder. As she reflects on her fears, she imagines a bedtime story about a family living in an affluent suburb gripped by anxiety over crime. - **[The Family\'s Precautions:]** The family, consisting of a husband, wife, and their son, take extreme measures to secure their home, including installing an intercom system and high walls to keep out perceived threats. Their actions reflect a growing paranoia fueled by societal fears of crime and violence. - **[Tragic Consequences:]** Despite their attempts at security, their son tragically becomes entangled in the razor-sharp coils installed for protection. This incident highlights the irony of their fear-driven decisions ultimately leading to their child\'s death, showcasing the destructive nature of their paranoia. - **[Themes of Fear and Control:]** The story emphasizes themes of fear, innocence, and the consequences of overprotectiveness. The family\'s security measures turn their home into a prison, illustrating how fear can distort perceptions of safety and humanity. **KEY THEMES AND ANALYSIS** - **Fear of the \"Other\":** The family\'s escalating fear of those perceived as threats, particularly Black individuals, represents a broader commentary on racial tensions and the irrationality of prejudice during apartheid. - **Irony of Security:** The death of the boy serves as a powerful metaphor for how the quest for security can lead to self-inflicted harm, both physically and psychologically. The family\'s efforts to protect themselves ironically result in tragedy. - **Societal Commentary:** Gordimer critiques the societal norms that foster fear and segregation, revealing how deeply ingrained biases can influence behavior and decision-making. The family\'s actions reflect a patriarchal control often seen in such contexts. - **Universal Relevance:** By leaving characters unnamed, Gordimer suggests that these themes of fear and violence are not confined to South Africa but resonate globally, urging readers to reflect on their own societies and the costs of fear-driven actions. **"Anticipation"** **Mabel Dove-Danquah** **ABOUT THE AUTHOR** Mabel Ellen Dove was a freedom fighter, political activist, first female member of the Legislative Assembly in the Gold Coast, journalist and prolific writer. **SUMMARY OF "ANTICIPATION"** The Omanhene (Nana Adaku II) was celebrating the 20th anniversary of his accession to stool of Akwasin. He then arrived in a palanquin in the state park where the Odwina was to be staged. As the drum beats on the women performed the Adowa dance. One dancer captures his attention because of its beauty, he then threw a handful of loose cash into the crowd of dancers. The particular dancer mads no sign but instead keeps on dancing. Realizing that he was neglected by the dancer, he turned to his trusted linguist. He told him to get fifty pounds from the cashier and gave it to the dancer\'s relatives. The linguist then starts his investigation about the woman. Omanhene went back to his place. He then fell asleep after he had taken a bath. When he woke up the young woman was kneeling by his feet. There he gave the remaining 50 gold sovereigns to Effua to complete the offer of 100. After receiving the amount, the woman gave it to his parents and went back to the Omanhene. There they talk casually inside the Omanhene\'s room. Omanhene appreciated the beauty and charm of Effua while he was playing the ivory beads lying so snugly on her bosom. Effua stands and look in the mirror. As she came back and sit, she then revealed that they were already married two years ago, that he also paid her 50 pounds before **THEMES** - Marriage - Expect Nothing, Appreciate Everything - Culture and Tradition - Happiness doesn't mean having all the things **PHILOSOPHY** The best approach to this literature is Sociological Approach. This story shows concrete details on how the culture, economic, and political context affects the flow or the outcome, character's actions, and the story as a whole. Perhaps these three aspects indeed play a vital role in the story. In the story the society views marriage as an assurance for a better life.  This is evident on how the women are being portrayed. They are marrying a rich or noble man, to the extent that they disregard the fact that the man is already been married on the first place. This action that we consider deviant has been tolerated by the culture and the society in the story. The economic status also has something to do with this practice. Nana Adaku is an Omanhene in his town. Here we can deduce that he is rich and powerful, giving him the rights to practice this polygamous act, since the only ground for it is that the man should have the capability or as long as the man can support his wives and his families. **"True love cannot be bought or paid."** **REFERENCES:** [[https://poemotopia.com/david-diop/africa/]](https://poemotopia.com/david-diop/africa/) [[https://getsetnotes.com/critical-analysis-of-david-diop-africa/]](https://getsetnotes.com/critical-analysis-of-david-diop-africa/) [[https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/african-writers]](https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/african-writers) [[https://www.caracteristicass.de/en/african-literature/]](https://www.caracteristicass.de/en/african-literature/) [[https://www.caracteristicass.de/en/african-literature/]](https://www.caracteristicass.de/en/african-literature/) The 10 Best African Poems of All Time - Okayplayer (okayafrica.com) 20 Short Story Collections by African Women Writers - bookshy (bookshybooks.com) David Diop \| African poet, French colonial, Francophone \| Britannica [[https://study.com/academy/lesson/african-literature-history-characteristics.html]](https://study.com/academy/lesson/african-literature-history-characteristics.html) https://www.okayafrica.com/best-african-poems/ theculturetrip.com/africa/articles/the-top-10-contemporary-african-writers-you-should-know/ Lactaotao, R.P. (2016). Characteristics of African Literature. Slideshare. Available at: Characteristics of african literature report (slideshare.net) Lachia, T. (2016). English Grade Nine: Figures of Speech. Slideshare. Available at: Eng9 figures of speech (slideshare.net) Motwani, S. (2021). African Literature. Slideshare. Available at: Alican Literature (slideshare.net) hnhsenglish12.wikispaces.com/Anthology+-+Telephone+Conversation [www.africanwriterstrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/suubi.pd](http://www.africanwriterstrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/suubi.pd)