Celebrating the Diversity of African Literature

Abstract

Diversity within the context of African literature is identified in this paper as one of the reasons for the world-wide appeal and acceptance of the literature beyond the shores of the continent. This is explored, especially as it relates to written African literature which evolved as a consequence of the introduction of western education which came on the heels of the African experience of colonialism. Varied as the themes handled by African writers are in their works across the periods dating from the colonial epoch to the postcolonial period, because the literature has largely been anti-establishment, pitted as it has been against reactionary forces, whether white or African, protest, pessimism and resistance are the predominant markers shored up by the literature. This invariably makes social criticism the epicenter or major area of attention of majority of African writings since the beginning of written African literature, thus emphasizing its claustrophobic character. However, there is great diversity in the critical responses to African literature, the different styles showcased by the writers and in the many national literatures that have evolved in Africa. These are indices of great developments worth celebrating.