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. In the novel, characterization is achieved by reporting the thoughts of the characters.
How does African literature different from other literature?
Nonetheless, a common characteristic in African Literature is the use of proverbs which Achebe defines as “the palm oil with which words are eaten”. African languages not having a wider vocabulary seem to strive better in a compact language and because conversation is always intense, non prosaic language is required.
How would you describe 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. Works written in European languages date primarily from the 20th century onward. …
What makes African literature African?
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 the common themes found in 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.
What influences African literature?
To be sure, the Arabic, English, French, and Portuguese literary traditions along with Christianity and Islam and other effects of colonialism in Africa also had a dynamic impact on African literature, but African writers adapted those alien traditions and made them their own by placing them into these African …
What is colonial African literature?
Literature in colonial Africa is synonymous with writing about life shaped by the colonial experience of direct rule and domination by imperialist powers. From most definitions of ‘postcolonial literature’, literature in colonial Africa is postcolonial.
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.
Why is it difficult to define African literature?
African literature is difficult to define because there are so many different languages and different cultures, combined with the fact that during the period of colonisation there were a number of different languages of education (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish Arabic) that no cohesive efforts would have been …
What are the characteristics of African poetry?
A functional art, African poetry in its oral and written forms has addressed a variety of themes, including worldview, mysticism, values, religion, nature, negritude, personal relationships, anticolonialism, pan-Africanism, neocolonialism, urbanism, migration, exile, the African diaspora, and patriarchy, as well as …
What makes Nigerian literature unique?
Nigerian literature, in particular, began with the oral tradition, pioneered by the unsung heroes of her literary past, like royal bards, warriors, story tellers, priests and many others. Literary elements like folklore and proverbs were originated by these unknown literary soldiers.
What are the characteristics of oral African literature?
Some of these characteristics are: verbal variability; performance; audience and dynamism. Let us look at them one by one. Oral literature as a composition rendered verbally is highly fluid. You will notice that each oral artist performs a common text in an individual way.
What are the five 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.
What is modern African literature?
Modern African literature is written in indigenous African languages and in European languages used in Africa. … While there are literary works in Yoruba, Hausa, Zulu and Sotho, among others, this literature in African indigenous languages is hardly known outside its specific linguistic frontiers.