Introduction to African Lit 21st literature pptx

notes and discussion

1. Introduction to African literature

2. What is the importance of literature in shaping  African culture?

3. Literature reminds us of the hard work of people in the past. African literature reminds Africans to continually work on what their predecessors worked hard for. The richness of African literature reminds African people of their sacrifices and their capacity to endure great challenges. African literature also makes them appreciative and proud of their identity as Africans.

4. Vocabulary words savannah (noun) – a flat area with grass and a few trees They put up their base in a savannah . irrigate (verb) – to supply with water Farmers need to irrigate their crops. tremble (verb) – to shake slightly His hands were trembling when he opened the letter.

5. Vocabulary words impetuous (adjective) – done quickly without thought His recent actions were deemed impetuous by his peers. grave (adjective) – low pitch He shared the results of the medical examination with a grave voice.

6. T hink about African literature through the following words and phrases: variety of ethnic groups multicultural  music and ritualistic dances  oral literature storytelling

7. Africa It is the second largest continent at almost 12 million square miles.

8. Africa There are more than a thousand languages. It is a multicultural continent.

9. Africa One of the earliest civilizations is Egypt, which was established more than 5000 years ago and which sprang in Nile River.

10. Africa It has various religious systems, many of which are polytheistic. Ancient Africans believe in and prayed to ancestral spirits.

11. Africa Christianity was brought to Ethiopia in the early fourth century, while Islam came to Northern Africa in the early seventh century.

12. Characteristics of Traditional African Music Polyrhythmic African music featured complex, interlocking, and contrasting rhythms that are achieved by striking bells, clapping hands, beating drums, and stomping feet.

13. Characteristics of Traditional African Music Call and Response This is the act of having a chorus repeat a lead singer’s words in response.

14. African ritualistic dances Primitive African people love to perform ritualistic dances.

15. African ritualistic dances events in the agricultural year rituals that mark rites of passage

16. African ritualistic dances ceremonies of secret societies healing the sick

17. African Literature oral in nature and has to be recited and even performed not accessed through books but through storytellers who pass on epics, poems, and narratives interrelated with dance, music, and other performances

18. Features of Traditional African Storytelling It is a communal experience. Storytelling in Africa is so interactive. Repetition is an important part of the storytelling. The storyteller may repeat stanzas, words, or phrases, and the audience may repeat those words back to the storyteller as well when doing “call and response.” 

19. Features of Traditional African Storytelling Storytelling fulfills purposes beyond being just a form of entertainment. Tone is a vital part of the storytelling.

20. African Prose Writing Prose writing is continuous yet systematic. African prose narratives often center on people, animals, histories, etc. In Africa, prose is often used to narrate social memories, rules, and history. Prose best reflects the organized mind, which is evident in stories and essays.

21. African Prose Writing The plot of animal narratives usually focuses on large animals tricked by smaller ones (trickster stories). Another plot focuses on an attacker that tries to deceive its rescuer or savior but is instead outsmarted by a third character.

22. Empires and Societies that Contributed to the Enrichment of African Prose had a vibrant and strong empire that focused on a polytheistic society Egyptians - influenced African prose by writing myths that honored their gods 1. Egypt hieroglyphics - one of its greatest contributions; an ancient system of writing

23. Empires and Societies that Contributed to the Enrichment of African Prose powerful and affluent kingdom that derives its richness from the trade of salt and gold 2. Old Ghana

24. Empires and Societies that Contributed to the Enrichment of African Prose overtook Old Ghana for supremacy 3. Old Mali

25. Empires and Societies that Contributed to the Enrichment of African Prose the last of the great kingdoms 4. Songhai

26. Empires and Societies that Contributed to the Enrichment of African Prose a city that was part of both the Old Mali and Songhai empires 5. Timbuktu served as a major trading center and was home to libraries with extensive collections of books

27. Empires and Societies that Contributed to the Enrichment of African Prose African territories with notable oral literature 6. Fasa and Aksum civilized societies that became very influential among cultural formations in the northern areas of Africa prominent due to exposure to a variety of cultures both from the East (India) and West (Rome)

28. Two Prominent Oral Traditions in Africa a form of moral tale that does not have a definite ending and invites the audience to share judgment 1. Dilemma Tale intended to start discussions regarding moral issues and may be used as a form of instruction or entertainment

29. Two Prominent Oral Traditions in Africa a formulaic story, which means it has a pattern 2. Chain Tale or Cumulative Tale characters’ dialogue or action repeats plot line tends to be simple contains hilarious messages in the form of jokes and witty statements

30. African Prose features many different literary devices commonly used literary devices are parallelism , personification, metaphor, alliteration, and rhyme

31. African Prose used to describe particular traits or qualities of a character a. Epithet

32. African Prose used to address a character who is not present or a nonliving object b. Apostrophe

33. African Prose a narration method wherein the narrator is aware of all the characters’ thoughts and feelings c. Omniscient point of view

34. Prominent African Authors Ghanaian author who first published African novels written in English Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford wrote a novel entitled Ethiopia Unbound a political activist wrote books that served to convey his opposition to the various laws imposed by the British on land management

35. Prominent African Authors a South African who first published an English language African play entitled The Girl Who Killed to Save Herbert Isaac Ernest Dhlomo founder of the Bantu Dramatic Society, the establishment of which led to the creation of many plays

36. Prominent African Authors Kenyan writer who wrote the first full-length East African play entitled Black Hermit Ngugi wa Thiong’o wrote essays, plays, novels, and short stories; some are political while some are children’s literature

37. Prominent African Authors a Nigerian who wrote the novel Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart - regarded as one of the most influential African novels and has received worldwide critical acclaim