African literature consists of a body of work in different languages and various genres, ranging from oral literature to literature written in colonial languages (French, Portuguese, and English). … As Africans became literate in their own languages, they often reacted against colonial repression in their writings.
What are characteristics of African literature?
Characteristics of African literature include slave narratives, protests against colonization, calls for independence, African pride, hope for the future, and dissent.
What constitutes African literature?
African literature, the body of traditional oral and written literatures in Afro-Asiatic and African languages together with works written by Africans in European languages.
What makes African literature unique from other literature?
Language of the African novel is highly enriched with some aspects of oral literature such as songs, proverbs and narratives. The other aspect which makes African novel unique from other novels is characterization. … However the main idea in these stories is that man is the universal character of the story.
What are the major themes of African literature?
THEMES OF COLONIALISM, LIBERATION, NATIONALISM, TRADITION, DISPLACEMENT AND ROOTLESSNESS IN AFRICAN LITERATURE This paper deals with some of the themes in African literature such as colonialism, liberation, nationalism, tradition, displacement and rootlessness.
Who is the father of African literature?
Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian novelist seen by millions as the father of African literature, has died at the age of 82.
What is African literature examples?
African Literature Books
- Things Fall Apart (The African Trilogy, #1) Chinua Achebe. …
- Half of a Yellow Sun (Hardcover) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. …
- Americanah (Hardcover) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. …
- Purple Hibiscus (Paperback) …
- Homegoing (Hardcover) …
- The Thing Around Your Neck (Hardcover) …
- Disgrace (Paperback) …
- So Long a Letter (Paperback)
Why is African literature important?
African literature is not important only because of its relevant setting and relatable storylines. It also increases our social consciousness, and raises awareness of social, political, and economic crises that the African continent is facing.
Does African literature exist?
African Literature Doesn’t Exist. … By “African literature,” I refer not to the body of written and oral texts produced by storytellers on and from the continent—but rather, to the category.
Who is the best writer in Africa?
The Top 10 Contemporary African Writers You Should Know
- Chinua Achebe. One of the world’s most widely recognized and praised writers, Chinua Achebe wrote some of the most extraordinary works of the 20th century. …
- Ayi Kwei Armah. …
- Aminatta Forna. …
- Nadine Gordimer. …
- Alain Mabanckou. …
- Ben Okri.
What is unique about African literature?
African literature consists of a body of work in different languages and various genres, ranging from oral literature to literature written in colonial languages (French, Portuguese, and English). … As Africans became literate in their own languages, they often reacted against colonial repression in their writings.
What is postcolonial African literature?
The term African postcolonial literature refers to writings produced after the political independence of various African states which were formerly subject to European colonial rule.
What is modern African literature?
Modern African literature is written in indigenous African languages and in European languages used in Africa. Written African literature is very new compared to the indigenous oral tradition of literature which has been there and is still very much alive.
When did African literature start?
Early African Literature: An Anthology of Written Texts from 3000 BCE to 1900 CE. In progress. The material below is extracted from the very rough draft of the introduction (with citations stripped out). It is in progress, so many early Africa literature texts have yet to be named below.