The academic discourse on African postcolonial literature is characterized by a continuous process of debates on a variety of issues, reassessments of theories and redefinitions of terms. 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. Most of this literature written by African authors in their home countries or in diaspora deals with issues of colonial experience or decolonization. However, as Graham Huggan points out, the term African literature is a problematic concept, because “it conveys a fiction of homogeneity” and ignores the cultural variety existing on the African continent.
Gikandi explains that the foundations of modern African literature have been laid by the process of colonization, e.g through education in Christian schools which have enabled today’s forms of literature. Gikandi emphasizes the irony of this fact: “[W]hile the majority of African writers were the products of colonial institutions, they turned to writing to oppose colonialism.” This leads to various problems when dealing with African writings, especially when applying the viewpoint of postcolonial criticism, which has been trying to theorize African writings since the 1980s. As Huggan points out, postcolonial criticism has been criticized “as subscribing to the very binaries (e.g. ‘Europe and its Others’) it seeks to resist.”
This paper contains an annotated bibliography which considers various issues regarding African postcolonial literature that have been discussed in the past 20 years. Here, the term African postcolonial literature is understood in a temporal way (referring to the postcolonial era in Africa) and in an academic way (referring to the postcolonial discourse). The articles, collections of essays and monographs listed in the bibliography only provide glimpses at the extensive and elaborate discourses on African postcolonial writings. However, the entries in the bibliography have been categorized in order to cast a light on the main issues and problems discussed in this field. In the following, introductory works and texts dealing with the two main genres of African literature will be presented first. Works referring to postcolonial theory and consequential problems and debates (e.g. on language) take the major part of the bibliography.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Introductions to and Overviews of African Literature
3. Genres in African Literature
5.1 The African Novel
5.2 African Poetry
4. African Literature as a Subject of Literary and Cultural Studies
4.1 African Literary Theories
4.2 Weaknesses of Postcolonial Theory in the Context of African Writing
4.2.1 Patronage and the Cultural Binary
4.2.2 Problems Related to Eurocentric Criticism of African Literature
4.3 Suggested Solutions
5. Questions of Language
5.1 Language in African Writing
5.2 Oral Forms of Literature
6. New Directions in African Literature
6.1 Female African Writers and Issues of Gender
6.2 Globalization and Postcolonialism
6.3 African Literature in the 21st Century
7. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This project aims to provide a structured overview of the academic discourse surrounding African postcolonial literature over the past two decades. The work addresses the core challenges in defining and critiquing this diverse body of writing, focusing specifically on how scholars grapple with colonial legacies, language politics, and evolving literary genres.
- The impact of colonial institutional history on contemporary African writing.
- The critical tension between Eurocentric theoretical frameworks and local cultural contexts.
- Language debates, including the role of English versus vernacular forms and pidgin literatures.
- The emergence of gender-focused studies and female-authored narratives as a significant academic trend.
- The shifting paradigms of globalization and transnationalism in current literary studies.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2.1 Patronage and the Cultural Binary
In this essay, Lefevere describes the interaction of the English and the African systems of literature as a system of patronage. In this context he speaks of hybrid poetics and identifies pieces of literature produced under English patronage. According to Lefevere, in the post-independence era, African nationalist leaders needed African literature for identity formation, but the works written in the vernacular language were translated into English for economic reasons (469). For the field of literary and postcolonial studies this means that systematization of African literature is useful, but also dangerous. It needs continuous feedback and revision and non-canonized works should be included into studies and surveys.
Like Lefevere, Huggan also points to the heterogeneity of African literature and demands that critics should not only direct their attention to literature in English and other European languages, but also to writings in the vernacular. He identifies the patronage systems at the time of the emergence of African literature and the stereotypical Western exoticist paradigms as the main problems of postcolonial criticism of African Literature.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of African postcolonial literature and explains the necessity of selecting works from the last 20 years to provide a clear academic overview.
2. Introductions to and Overviews of African Literature: Provides a curated list of foundational reference works that attempt to map the broad history and diversity of African literary traditions.
3. Genres in African Literature: Analyzes the specific development of the African novel and African poetry, examining how these forms have adapted to postcolonial realities.
4. African Literature as a Subject of Literary and Cultural Studies: Examines the theoretical challenges of studying African literature, particularly the critiques of postcolonial theory and the problems inherent in Eurocentric interpretations.
5. Questions of Language: Explores the intense debate among African writers regarding the use of the English language as a colonial tool versus its necessity as a medium of communication.
6. New Directions in African Literature: Highlights emerging areas of interest, including the prominence of female authors, the impact of globalization, and the future of African literature in the 21st century.
7. Conclusion: Reflects on the impossibility of creating a truly comprehensive bibliography and emphasizes the need for an interdisciplinary and multiperspective approach to the subject.
Keywords
African literature, postcolonialism, literary theory, decolonization, language debate, gender studies, globalization, Eurocentrism, cultural binary, vernacular, oral traditions, African novel, poetry, patronage, identity formation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of this annotated bibliography?
The work aims to organize and analyze the diverse academic discourse on African postcolonial literature from the last two decades to highlight key thematic shifts and critical debates.
What are the central thematic areas covered in this research?
The research focuses on the intersection of postcolonial theory, genre evolution, language politics, the role of gender, and the impact of globalization on African cultural production.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The author investigates how African literature is conceptualized within academic discourse and explores the tensions between Western-oriented postcolonial theory and the diverse, localized realities of African writers.
Which scientific methodology is applied in this paper?
The work employs an annotated bibliography methodology, categorizing secondary literature into thematic groups to identify patterns, critical biases, and evolving academic narratives.
What does the main body of the work focus on?
The main body systematically presents academic articles and monographs, ranging from genre-specific studies (novels/poetry) to theoretical frameworks, language discussions, and contemporary gender debates.
How can this work be characterized by its keywords?
The work is defined by terms such as postcolonialism, identity formation, cultural binary, language politics, and transnational literary criticism.
How does the author address the influence of colonial institutions on African literature?
The author highlights the irony that many African writers, despite being products of colonial educational institutions, utilized the act of writing as a primary method to oppose colonial rule.
What is the "binarism of Self and Other" mentioned in the bibliography?
It refers to the frequently criticized tendency in Western postcolonial discourse to define Africa solely in opposition to Europe, a structure that the author argues must be overcome to fully understand African literature.
- Quote paper
- Anna Poppen (Author), 2012, Academic Discourses on African Postcolonial Literature in the Past 20 Years, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/278565
