Initially, African literature was a tool for celebrating the heroic grandeur of the African past; later it was used for anti-colonial struggle. African American literature tends to focus on themes of particular interest to Black people, for example, the role of African Americans within the larger American society and issues such as African American culture, racism, religion, slavery, freedom, and equality. Of crucial importance is the environment from which the African literature (in whatever language) emanated. Hurston and Hughes disagreed on the purpose of African American writing in the Harlem Renaissance. You will not only enjoy them but also find them enlightening. The Theme of Bondage and Freedom in African American Literature Shayla Carew Liberty University Author Note: Shayla Carew, Master’s of Teaching and Learning English-program, Liberty University. Therefore, African literature is always Colonialism's Religious Influences Islam Through analyzing the variety of religions brought to Africa by colonizers, one can obtain a better understanding of the impacts these religions have on African literature. Published in 1999, Sosu’s Call is one of the best African books. Where is it practiced? References West Africa East Africa African literature is literature of or from Africa and includes oral literature (or "orature", in the term coined by Ugandan scholar Pio Zirimu).. As George Joseph notes in his chapter on African literature in Understanding Contemporary Africa, whereas European views of literature often stressed a separation of art and content, African awareness is inclusive: The predominant African languages used are Amharic, Zulu, Hausa, and Swahili. From this vast literature, certain key themes emerge. The basic characteristics of African English Literature are:. Books written by Africans about African issues and for the most part set in Africa. 1) Written in both African and European languages. Presently, it is being employed as a veritable weapon for depicting the postcolonial disillusionment in African nations. African literature consists of a body of work in different languages and various genres, ranging from oral literature to literature written in colonial languages (French, Portuguese, and English). African literature - African literature - The influence of oral traditions on modern writers: Themes in the literary traditions of contemporary Africa are worked out frequently within the strictures laid down by the imported religions Christianity and Islam and within the struggle between traditional and modern, between rural and newly urban, between genders, and between generations. For instance, there is often a great emphasis on the history, culture and customs of a group of people when telling their stories. African literature is as diverse as the continent itself, but several characteristics and themes prevail throughout much of the written works emerging from Africa. Though it took many forms of expression, themes of protest began to guide twentieth-century African literature. The first is the diversity of African experiences of European colonialism, but there remains a strong element of what the historian Catherine Coquery-Vidrovitch (2005a:4) has termed a “shared … his-torical rhythm”: the most significant investments in the creation of urbanism on African literature"; it launched African literature into the canon of global literature. The themes in Walker's writing greatly correspond with Hurston's. African literature, literary works of the African continent. African Literature - If you are a lover of literature you will enjoy reading these African books. , African literature ( in whatever language ) emanated African American writing in the Harlem Renaissance is one the. 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