Comprehensive Study Guide to Senegalese Francophone Literature and Cinema
Geography and Political Context of Senegal
Geographic Profile: Senegal is a country located in West Africa.
Capital City: The capital of Senegal is Dakar.
Maritime Borders: The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (l’Atlantique).
Presidential History and Context: * First President: The first president of Senegal was Léopold Sédar Senghor. * Current Leadership: The curriculum requires knowledge of the full name of the current president (l’actuel) in addition to the first president.
Cultural and Literary Movements
Le Négritude: * Founding Figures: This movement was founded by Léopold Sédar Senghor, Aimé Césaire, and Birago Diop. * Central Philosophy: The movement is centered on the idea of the valorization of Black identity (valorisation de l’identité noire). * Anti-Colonial Stance: It emphasizes the rejection of colonial assimilation (rejet de l’assimilation coloniale).
Postcolonialism (Postcolonialisme): * Scope of Study: This movement involves the analysis of the various effects of colonization. * Core Inquiries: It focuses on specific questions regarding: * Language (Langue) * Power (Pouvoir) * Identity (Identité)
Francophone Literature of Senegal
Ousmane Socé Diop: * Work: Karim (). * Narrative Details: The story focuses on a man named Karim who falls in love with a woman named Marième. The narrative highlights Marième, a dancer whose confidence when she dances is captivating to everyone. Karim describes the atmosphere, the lady herself, and her dancing. * Social Context: The book emphasizes the description of colonial society and the specific roles of women within it. * Key Attributes of Marième: She represents fascination, beauty, and charisma. * Themes: Love (histoire d’amour), the tension between tradition and modernity (tradition vs modernité), and the male gaze (regard masculin).
Birago Diop: * Work: La belle histoire de Leuk-le-lièvre. * Conceptual Framework: This work bridges African folklore with European structural influences to emphasize moral values and wisdom. * Primary Conflict: The story depicts the struggle between intelligence/cleverness (represented by Leuk) and brute force or malevolence (represented by Bouki l’hyène). * Values: It underscores the defense of traditional values and the importance of community welfare over individual selfishness. * Themes of Character: Initiation, ruse (la ruse), and the battle of wits. * Work: Souffles. * Worldview: The poem advocates for an animist, African worldview. * Conceptualization of Death: It posits that the dead are never truly gone; instead, they live on within nature. * Connection to Nature: Listeners are urged to hear the voices of ancestors within the elements of fire, water, wind, and trees.
Léopold Sédar Senghor: * Work: Femme Noire (). * Purpose: The poet presents the beauty and strength of Black women. * Political Stance: The poem serves to oppose racism toward the French. * Symbolism: Women are utilized as symbols and personifications of Africa. The work blends sensuality with maternal imagery to create a lasting image of pride and beauty. * Themes: Black beauty (Beauté noire), cultural pride (Fierté culturelle), and identity (Identité).
Aminata Sow Fall: * Work: Le fête gâchée. * Social Commentary: Focuses on poverty (pauvreté), inequalities (inégalités), and social norms (normes sociales).
Francophone Cinema of Senegal
Ousmane Sembène: * Status: Known as the "Father of African Cinema." * Work: La Noire de… (). * Focus: Explores identity, decolonization, economic power, and economic exploitation. * Work: Xala (). * Focus: Deals with decolonization, the role of the youth, identity, corruption, and the behavior of African elites.
Documentary Works: * Sembène!: A documentary film focused on the life and legacy of Ousmane Sembène. * Bakary Diallo, Mémoires peules: A documentary about Bakary Diallo, an author who wrote long poems about nature. It highlights the importance of the oral tradition and the natural world.
Mati Diop: * Work: Atlantique. * Thematic Core: The film explores power and exploitation alongside the concept of impossible love. * Supernatural/Societal Elements: It focuses on migration, the youth, and the "return" (specifically the return of spirits).
Comprehensive Curricular Themes
Studies in Senegalese literature and cinema consistently reference the following major themes:
Power Dynamics: Examined through linguistic power, political power, and economic power.
The Return: The physical or spiritual return to the native country or city of birth.
Migration: The movement of people and the consequences thereof.
Era of Transition: Colonization and the subsequent process of decolonization.
Social Identity: The exploration of identity and the perspectives of the youth.
Human Emotion: Specifically the concept of impossible love (l’amour impossible).