Termonology

Colonization

The action or process of establishing a colony or colonies in a place, typically by a foreign state that seeks to appropriate the area and assert political control over Indigenous inhabitants.

Colonialism

The principle, policy, or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and maintaining colonies.

Anti-colonial

Refers to direct or overt opposition to colonial rule, historically and ongoing.

Postcolonial

Most used in literary and cultural studies, implies a sense of the past regarding direct colonial rule but acknowledges that the effects of colonialism persist.

Decolonial

Exposes underlying colonialism in Western thinking, questions the production of knowledge, and seeks to detach Eurocentrism from discussions of individuals and cultures.

Caine Prize for African Writing

A prestigious award given for the best short story by an African writer in the English language.

Oral Literatures

Literature that is transmitted orally rather than in written form, often significant in precolonial African contexts.

Eurocentrism

A worldview that centers on European culture and history, often disregarding other perspectives and contributing to colonial attitudes.

Resistance

The act of opposing or standing against something, particularly in contexts of oppression or colonialism.

Coalition Building

The process of forming alliances between groups to create stronger collective actions in resistance to oppression.