Termonology

Timeline(s) for Thinking About African Literature

Periods of Literature

• Precolonial: ~2000 BCE – 1415 CE

• Colonial: 1415 – 2002 CE

  • Height of colonialism largely during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant powers such as Britain, France, and Portugal establishing control over vast territories in Africa.

• Height: 1870 – 1914 CE

• Postcolonial: 1956/7 CE* – Present

  • Marked by the independence movements across Africa leading to the decolonization of nations.

Subcategories of Periods

• Ancient: ~2000 BCE – 700 CE

• Medieval: 700 – 1500 CE

• Early Modern: 1500 – 1800 CE

  • This period saw significant European exploration and early attempts at colonization, especially by the Portuguese and Spanish.

• Modern: 1800 – 1950s CE

  • Characterized by intensified colonization and the birth of modern African literature amidst colonial rule.

• Contemporary: 1950s CE – Today

  • Features a resurgence of African voices and narratives reflecting on postcolonial identity and challenges.

Influences and Languages

• Oral Literatures: Indigenous storytelling traditions that were the primary means of cultural expression before colonization.

• European Contact: Introduction of colonialism led to profound changes in societal structures and cultural expressions.

• Islamic Arab Influence and Christian European Influence: Both played significant roles in shaping African literature and societal norms.

• Languages: Hieroglyphics, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Berber, Ge'ez, and Coptic were foundational languages, with colonization introducing European languages that dominated literary production.

• First English Novel: 1911, showcasing the integration of English literary forms into African contexts.

• Language Debates: Ongoing discussions about the impact of both colonized and colonizers' languages in publishing and writing, reflecting issues of identity and cultural integrity.

Terminology (from the Oxford English Dictionary)Definitions

• Colony: A human settlement or territory controlled by a foreign power, often leading to the imposition of new cultural norms and governments.

• Colonization: Process of establishing a colony in a place, usually by foreign states for appropriation and control of the area, resulting in significant cultural exchanges but also conflicts.

• Colonialism: Acquiring political control over another country, often involving occupation by settlers. Also refers to the cultural superiority mindset of colonialists, which justified oppression and exploitation.

• Colonial: Of, relating to, or characteristic of colonialism, often negatively reflecting oppression and exploitation, as colonial powers asserted dominance.

Theoretical Responses: The “Afterlives” of Colonialism

Similarities of Terms

• Anti-colonial, Postcolonial, Decolonial: All terms oppose colonialism in language and practice, sharing a spirit of resistance and defiance against colonial domination.

• They relate closely to themes of liberation, activism, and coalition-building among formerly colonized communities.

Differences of Terms

Definitions and Implications

• Anti-colonial: Direct opposition to colonial rule, includes historical and ongoing resistance; often associated with revolutionary movements aimed at ending colonial powers.

• Postcolonial: Mostly used in literary studies; acknowledges a historical colonization phase but stresses ongoing effects and the need to address lingering colonial legacies.

• Decolonial: Critiques colonial thinking and knowledge production; seeks to separate Eurocentrism from understanding cultures, representing a radical, continuous opposition to the remaining influences of colonial thought.