NEGRITUDE
Negritude is an anti-colonial and political movement that is founded by a group of Africans to reclaim the value of blacks and African culture. Negritude also refers to African writers who portray their pride in the cultural values of African heritage in their literary works. The negritude writers criticize the western culture, colonialism, racism and glorify the values, culture, beauty and resilience of Africans in their literary works (these form the themes/elements of negritude literary works). Some of the negritude writers are: David Diop who wrote the poem “Africa my Africa” as a protest against the oppressive French colonial rule, Birago Diop wrote the poem ‘Vanity’ to outline the fact that, the problems of African societies originates from our disregard for African tradition and over dependence on the western culture, hence the solutions to Africa’s problems lie within us, Leopold Sedar Senghor wrote the poem “Black Woman” to praise an African woman who symbolizes the riches of African culture and Aime´ Cesaire´ who wrote the poem “Forfeiture” and “At the Lock of the Void” to depict his anger against colonial power, the painful memories of slavery and the situation of black political leadership.
COMMON THEMES OF AFRICAN LITERATURE
All forms of African literature (oral and written) have a common theme in one of the following:
Colonialism: African literature outlines the history (lives, experiences) of Africans during the pre – colonial era, colonial era and post-colonial era. During the pre-colonial era, Africans used oral literature to inculcate moral values like the fear of God, love, unity, truth, obedience, loyalty, peace and hard work into the younger ones. There is no exploitation during the pre – colonial era. Colonial literature expresses the injustice, torture and all forms of dehumanizing experiences of Africans during the slave trade. Colonial literature states the extent to which Europeans overlook all attributes and qualities of humans, exploit Africans and subject them to severe sufferings, killings and imprisonment without trial. Colonial literature also states how colonialism distorts the peace, unity and culture of Africans. Post – colonial literature discusses the history of Africans after independence.
Corruption: African literature highlights the activities of the government and citizens that subdue the progress and development of Africa. Some African leaders misuse power for personal gain. African writers criticize bribery, embezzlement, favoritism and nepotism as forms of corruption that undermine good governance. Literary works like, The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born – Ayi Kwei Armah, Harvest of Corruption – Frank Ogodo Ogbeche, Money Galore – Amu Djoleto, Ambassadors of Poverty – P. O. C Umeh and The Corrupt Elites: Anatomy of Power and Wealth in Ghana – Kwame Akon Ninsin are written on corruption.
Cultural and moral values: African writers lay emphasis on culture and moral values as essential elements that bind and develop African societies. Culture regulates our behavior in terms of how we think, communicate with others and perceive our environment. African culture for instance suggests humility, patience and hard work as ways of building a positive self-esteem.
Credit to MADAM SITSOFE GANU
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE
S. D. A. COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
ASOKORE – KOFORIDUA.