The Socio-Historical Development of African Literature and Its Reflection on African Political Culture

Abstract

What is African literature? Can it be defined as merely a body of creative writing originating from the African continent? Or can it be further characterized by specific thematic concerns and ways of dealing with the modern phenomenon of Africa as a developing entity in the world scheme? Because of the particular nature of African history and socio-political development, colonialism is a necessary concern of African literature. As will be shown, however, the influences of colonialism are dealt with varying degrees of intensity by African writers. The element of nationalism must be added to the definition of African literature as a common denominator binding African writers together. For them, nationalism is not one nation struggling for survival but the struggle for the survival of a whole Africa.