Introducti

AFRO-ASIAN
on to
LITERATURE
English 8
 Learning
a. understand what is
OBJECTIVE
literature; and
b. describe the notable literary
genres contributed by African
writers.
Picture
Relay
 What is
• Literature is a body of written
literature?
works.
• Literature may be classified
according to a variety of
systems, including language,
national origin, historical period,
genre, and subject matter.
• ‘Literature comes from the Latin
Literary Background of
the African Literature
• The literary tradition of Africa
became richer than ever as it
gained artistic and sophisticated
expressions in different
languages. Traditional languages
became vehicles of cultural
thoughts.
• The most notable literary
Literary Background of
the African Literature
• Poetry, drama, novel, and short
story, flourished as the literary
genres. The people’s struggle to
cope with - or oppose - the
changing atmosphere of their
homelands was dramatically
recorded in what is also known
as African Literature.
Literary Background of
the African Literature
• Literature represents the
breadth and depth of universal
experiences of man. The texts
for the study of African
literatures shed light on
controversial issues such as
racial discrimination, apartheid,
political conflicts, civil wars,
Literary Background of
the African Literature
• In 1930s, black intellectuals from
French colonies living in Paris
initiated a literary movement
called “Negritude“ and this
emerged out of a “sudden grasp
of racial identity and of cultural
values and an awareness” of the
wide discrepancies which existed
 Literary
Oral Literature
Forms:
Also called as “orature”
Written Literature
Written literature
have flourished in Africa
includes, novels,
for many centuries and
take a variety of forms
plays, poems,
including folk tales, hymns, and tales.
myths, epics, funeral
dirges, praise poems,
 Oral
1.Myths - usually explain the interrelationship
Literature
of all things that exist.
2.Epics - a long poem, typically one derived
from ancient oral tradition, narrating the
deeds and adventures of heroic or
legendary figures or the history of a nation.
3.Funeral Dirges - dirges, chanted during
funeral ceremonies, lament the departed,
praise his/her memory, and ask for his/her
 Oral
4. Praise Poems - are epithets called out in reference to
anLiterature
object (a person, a town, an animal, a disease, and so
on) in celebration of its outstanding qualities and
achievements.
5. Chants - In Africa’s oral tradition, chants or songs are a
living testament of how important music is to African’s
daily lives.
• Hunting Chant - one of the African’s chants that they
sing or recite to express their uncontrolled thrill when
hunting for wild game.
• Agricultural Chant - is sung or chanted by the farmers
 Oral
6.Literature
Proverbs - are short, witty or ironic
statements, metaphorical in its formulation
which aim to communicate a response to a
particular situation, to offer advice, or to be
persuasive.
 Written
Literature
The written literatures,
novels, plays, and poems in
the 1950's and 60's have
been described as literatures
 Written
Literature
Novels, plays, poems, hymns,
and tales.
 Famous African
"Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe
Literary Works
(Nigeria)
This novel is one of the most famous
African literary works. It tells the
story of Okonkwo, a leader and local
wrestling champion in a fictional
 Famous African
"Cry, the Beloved Country" by Alan
Literary Works
Paton (South Africa)
Set in South Africa, this novel
addresses racial injustice and social
inequality, focusing on the story of a
black priest, Stephen Kumalo, and his
 Famous African
"SoLiterary Works
Long a Letter" by Mariama Bâ
(Senegal)
Written as a letter, this novel
addresses the struggles and
resilience of women in Senegalese
society, particularly focusing on the
 Famous African
“TheLiterary
Famished Road”
Works By Ben Okri
The novel tells the story of Azaro, a spirit
child (abiku) who exists between the
realms of the living and the spirits. In
Yoruba tradition, an abiku is a child who is
constantly dying and being reborn,
bringing suffering to its family. Azaro
 Famous African
President of
Writers
• Nelson Mandela - Former
South
Africa.
• He authored several
notable works, sharing
his experiences,
thoughts, and vision for
 Famous African
• Chinua
known
Writers
Achebe - Best
for his novel
"Things Fall Apart,"
Achebe is considered the
father of African literature
in English. His works
explore themes of
 Famous African
Writers
• Wole Soyinka - A Nobel
laureate in Literature,
Soyinka is known for his
plays, poetry, and novels.
His notable works include
"Death and the King's
Horseman" and "Ake: The
 Famous African
• Nadine Gordimer (South
Africa) Writers
- Another Nobel
laureate, Gordimer's
works often address
issues of apartheid and
social justice. Her famous
novels include "Burger's
 Famous African
Writers
• Alan Paton (South Africa)
- Best known for his novel
"Cry, the Beloved
Country," Paton's works
focus on the social and
racial issues of South
 Famous African
• Niyi Osundare (Nigeria) -
A renowned poet Writers
and
academic, Osundare's
work often addresses
social and political issues
in Nigeria. His poetry
collections include "The
 Summar
• LITERATURE is a body of written works.
• African y
Literature captures the life and
struggle of the African people.
• African Literature shed light on controversial
issues such as racial discrimination,
apartheid, political conflicts, civil wars,
feminism, gender sensitivity, and human
rights issues.
THE
END