Francophone African Poetry And Drama

Scholars examining literature from former French colonies sometimes view it wrongly as simply an outgrowth of colonial literature. By suggesting new ways to understand the multiple voices present, this book explores how Francophone African poetry and theatre in particular, since the 1960s, constitute both an organic cultural product and a reflection of the diverse African cultures in which they originate. Themes explored in five chapters include the many kinds of African identity formation, the resistance to former notions of literary composition as art, a remapping of social responsibility, and the impact of globalization on Francophone Africa's participation in world economics, politics and culture. This study highlights the inner workings of Francophone African literature and suggests a canonization of modern Francophone works from a world perspective.

The second volume in this African Literature series arises from the need of Nigerian universities for literary criticism of African literature in French, for an English speaking audience. Additionally, the work aims to offer a comparative perspective on francophone literature, and thus diversify away from the formal linguistic and textual analysis typical of traditional French/francophone criticism, towards a broader approach and examination of literature rooted in a social and political context. The work is broadly divided into three sections: poetry, novels and theatre. Examples of the discussions include: negritude and the African world-view of Senghor's poetry; Sembene Ousmane's indictment of political, religious and moral chaos in Africa; the characterisation of women on the francophone stage; and an overview of African radio-drama.

The first title of a new African literature series, this is a lively, accomplished collection of essays about modern African literature in French. It aims to address the need - of both the anglophone African and the non-African reader - for literary criticism of francophone literature in English, and thus bridge a prevailing, prohibitive lanaguage and cultural barrier. The collection covers a comprehensive range of genres - from the epic traditon and oral literature, to poetry and the modern novel. Its contributors are all specialists in French literature and African literature in French, and include for example the prominent Nigerian critic of feminist literature and feminism, Adule Adebayo. Subjects include: negritude poetry as a process of protest, revolt and reconciliation; the biographies and autobiographical novels of women writers and their comparative late arrival on the literary scene; and perspectives on the debate surrounding the tradition and status of the African novel.

This 1976 book provides both a historical survey and a critical analysis of the literature in French from West and Equatorial Africa. Professor Blair begins by discussing the social, educational and political influences which led to the formation of the Negritude movement and to a flowering of French-African creative writing. This historical approach is then complemented by a study of the different literary genres. She traces the evolution of the first manifestations of literary activity in French by African writers, the written folk-tale, fable and short story, from the oral tradition of the indigenous culture, and the eventual appearance of the novel with a legendary or historical theme. The origins of French-African drama are considered for the first time, and the work of the minor poets analysed. Finally, Professor Blair attempts a definition of the French-African novel, and studies examples from three major periods from the 1930s onwards.

Represents The Poetry, The Playwrights And All Regions Of African And The Diaspora It Will Prove A Valuable Contribution To The Study Of Literature In General And The Study Of African Poetry And Drama In Particular.

Although the past two decades have seen a wide recognition of the notable fiction written in French by African women, little attention has been given to their equally significant poetry. A Rain of Words is the first comprehensive attempt to survey the poetic production of these women, collecting work by forty-seven poets from a dozen francophone African countries. Some are established writers; others are only beginning to publish their work. Almost none of the poems here have been published outside of Africa or Europe or been previously translated into English. The poems are accompanied by brief biographies of the poets. Supplementing these are a critical introductory essay by Irène Assiba d'Almeida that places women's poetry in the context of recent African history, characterizes its thematic and aesthetic features, and traces the process by which the anthology was compiled and edited, an essay by Janis A. Mayes discussing language politics, the cultural contexts within which the poetry emerges, and literary translation strategies, and an extensive bibliography. This landmark bilingual collection--the result of ten years of research, collection, editing, and translation--offers readers of English and French entry into a flourishing and essential genre of contemporary African literature.

The Encyclopedia of Africa presents the most up-to-date and thorough reference on this region of ever-growing importance in world history, politics, and culture. Its core is comprised of the entries focusing on African history and culture from 2005's acclaimed five-volume Africana - nearly two-thirds of these 1,300 entries have been updated, revised, and expanded to reflect the most recent scholarship. Organized in an A-Z format, the articles cover prominent individuals, events, trends, places, political movements, art forms, business and trade, religions, ethnic groups, organizations, and countries throughout Africa. There are articles on contemporary nations of sub-Saharan Africa, ethnic groups from various regions of Africa, and European colonial powers. Other examples include Congo River, Ivory trade, Mau Mau rebellion, and Pastoralism. The Encyclopedia of Africa is sure to become the essential resource in the field.