Celebrating the Power of Literature in African Development
The late South African author Lewis Nkosi described history as a hero in African literature in his critical text Tasks and Masks: Themes and Styles in African Literature (1981). In this paper I argue for the reverse: that African literature is not only a hero in Africa but also a powerful proactive...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The International Academic Forum
2016-11-01
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| Series: | IAFOR Journal of Literature & Librarianship |
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| Online Access: | https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-literature-and-librarianship/volume-5-issue-1/article-4/ |
| _version_ | 1818158773693317120 |
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| author | Hellen Roselyne L. Shigali |
| author_facet | Hellen Roselyne L. Shigali |
| author_sort | Hellen Roselyne L. Shigali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The late South African author Lewis Nkosi described history as a hero in African literature in his critical text Tasks and Masks: Themes and Styles in African Literature (1981). In this paper I argue for the reverse: that African literature is not only a hero in Africa but also a powerful proactive force in the continent’s development. This function of literature is rarely acknowledged yet the subject constitutes the academic arm of the continent’s struggles against various forces. Colonialists recognised the essence of literature as a tool for deconstructing African culture and identity. African writers and political leaders from various vantage points also recognised its centrality in the decolonisation process. Therefore a comprehensive history of Africa, particularly in the last half century, must take cognisance of the contribution made by literary artists and texts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T15:35:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-57e94648fe0c4c3ebc96f244979112b9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2187-0608 2187-0608 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T15:35:25Z |
| publishDate | 2016-11-01 |
| publisher | The International Academic Forum |
| record_format | Article |
| series | IAFOR Journal of Literature & Librarianship |
| spelling | doaj.art-57e94648fe0c4c3ebc96f244979112b92022-12-22T00:59:56ZengThe International Academic ForumIAFOR Journal of Literature & Librarianship2187-06082187-06082016-11-0151435210.22492/ijl.5.1.04Celebrating the Power of Literature in African DevelopmentHellen Roselyne L. Shigali0Moi University, KenyaThe late South African author Lewis Nkosi described history as a hero in African literature in his critical text Tasks and Masks: Themes and Styles in African Literature (1981). In this paper I argue for the reverse: that African literature is not only a hero in Africa but also a powerful proactive force in the continent’s development. This function of literature is rarely acknowledged yet the subject constitutes the academic arm of the continent’s struggles against various forces. Colonialists recognised the essence of literature as a tool for deconstructing African culture and identity. African writers and political leaders from various vantage points also recognised its centrality in the decolonisation process. Therefore a comprehensive history of Africa, particularly in the last half century, must take cognisance of the contribution made by literary artists and texts.https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-literature-and-librarianship/volume-5-issue-1/article-4/African literaturepostcolonialismNgugi wa Thiong’o |
| spellingShingle | Hellen Roselyne L. Shigali Celebrating the Power of Literature in African Development IAFOR Journal of Literature & Librarianship African literature postcolonialism Ngugi wa Thiong’o |
| title | Celebrating the Power of Literature in African Development |
| title_full | Celebrating the Power of Literature in African Development |
| title_fullStr | Celebrating the Power of Literature in African Development |
| title_full_unstemmed | Celebrating the Power of Literature in African Development |
| title_short | Celebrating the Power of Literature in African Development |
| title_sort | celebrating the power of literature in african development |
| topic | African literature postcolonialism Ngugi wa Thiong’o |
| url | https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-literature-and-librarianship/volume-5-issue-1/article-4/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hellenroselynelshigali celebratingthepowerofliteratureinafricandevelopment |