African Literature

African Literature (3100 to 30 BCE)

- Is traced down from the influential civilizations, one of those is egypt
- Has high quality literature with Nigerian Literature as one of the greats n the 20th century
- Has 3,500 titles in english and french while 10,000+ in 143 african language

Three Periods of African Literature

● Pre-Colonial: Oral and Folktales

- Most Notable Work: Sundiata (Epic)
● Colonial: Slave Narratives
- Most Notable Work: Things Fall Apart (Novel) by Chinua Achebe
● Post-Colonial: Effects of War
- Most Notable Work: Half a Yellow Sun (Novel) by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche

Sundiata - Tale of heroism with the protagonist, Sundiata Keita and his rise to power

Things Fall Apart - Explores the clash of african values vs the forces of colonialism

Half a Yellow Sun - explores different ethics, backgrounds and impacts of war on relationships
and identities.

Apartheid
- A system of which actively shows racism, discrimination and racial segregation.

The Ruins of Great Zimbabwe

- Kingdom of which shows the great era of the kingdom and architecture during the 11th
to 15th century.

Chinua Achebe (1930-2013)

- was a renowned Nigerian writer and one of Africa's most influential authors. He is best
known for his novel "Things Fall Apart," published in 1958, which is considered a classic
of modern African literature.
- he had planned to become a doctor, Though he was always an avid reader and began
learning English at the age of eight, Chinua Achebe hadn’t always planned to become a
beacon of the literary world.

Wole Soyinka
- is a renowned Nigerian playwright, poet, essayist, and critic. He was born on July 13,
1934, in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Soyinka is one of Africa's most celebrated literary figures
and the first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, which he received in
1986.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o
- is a renowned Kenyan writer and academic. He is considered one of the most influential
African authors and intellectuals of his time. Ngugi was born on January 5, 1938, in
Kamirithu, near Nairobi, Kenya.

Amos Tutuola
- born 1920, Abeokuta, Nigeria and died June 8, 1997, Ibadan, Nigeria), Nigerian author
of richly inventive fantasies. He is best known for the novel The Palm-Wine

Africa Culture and history

- during the middle ages, nag spread ang Islam sa africa.
- remains to be the dominant religion in Northern African today.

The culture of Africa is incredibly interesting due to the fact it is varied, depending on which
country you visit. Each country has its own tribes, languages and cultural differences.

Famous African tribes

1.The Zulu people, are South Africa’s largest ethnic group

2. The Maasai people, They own large herds of cattle, sheep and goats, which they regularly
move around to new grazing grounds and water sources

African Art
- Africans are one of the biggest contributors to sculptural art. The art form of African
sculpture dates back thousands of years with some of the earliest sculptures being
found in Egypt.

African Languages
- There are thousands of indigenous languages and dialects spoken in Africa. Every
African country has its own languages, even the smaller countries. However due to the
fact that many African countries were once part of European colonies, many people are
able to speak Creole or Pidgin versions of English, Portuguese of French. In Northern
Africa Arabic is spoken, whereas in East Africa Swahili is the dominant language.

Gods and Goddesses

1. Alekwu
Alekwu is a potent god popular among the Idoma people of Northern Nigeria.
Alekwu is omnipresent, able to protect and punish, distance being no barrier.

2. Sango
Sango is the Orisha god of thunder. Sango is regarded as the most powerful god in Africa and
one of the most popular gods around the world. He is the god of vengeance, protection, social
order and more.

3.Nomkhubuluwana)
Inkosazana (aka Nomkhubuluwana) is the Zulu god referred to as the ‘mermaid.’ She comes in
dreams and carries out healings for the sick and troubled.Inkosazana is the goddess of fertility
and agriculture; she protects both young and old and appears only to the pure in heart

4. Nana Buluku
Nana Buluku is a potent African goddess believed to be the supreme goddess among the Fon
people of Benin and the Ewes of Togo.She is the mother of the Sun and Moon twin gods –
Mawu-Lisa. She is venerated in songs.

5. Ngai
Ngai is the god of creation according to the Kikuyus. He dwells on popular mountains in Africa.
He is also the one responsible for the death of humans.

6. Sho’risdal
Sho’risdal is a compassionate Berber goddess .She is portrayed as the ‘The Mother of Bounty.It
is believed that her moods define the seasons – winter, autumn, spring and summer.

7. Heka
Heka is one of the foremost gods of ancient Egypt. He is known for his ability to heal and
perform magic.

8. Mamlambo
Mamlambo, among the Zulus and South Africans, this goddess is believed to be the god of
rivers. She is structured like a giant snake and resides in water.

9. Achamán
Achamán: He is the supreme god of the Guanches on the island of Tenerife. He is the creator of
fire, air and land. It is believed that all creatures derived their living from him.

10. Mawu-Lisa
Mawu-Lisa. A twin god believed to be both male and female, the children of Nana Buluku, this
god is the Moon (Mawu) and Sun (Lisa) god. S/He is believed to be in charge of the world order.