Eng8-AfroAsian: January 2011

Egyptian Literature

Egyptian literature traces its beginnings to ancient Egypt and is some of the earliest known literature. Indeed, the Egyptians were the first culture to develop literature as we know it today, that is, the book.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Arab world experienced a al-Nahda, a Renaissance-esque movement which touched nearly all areas of life, including literature. One of the most important figures from this time was Naguib Mahfouz, the first Egyptian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. In 1914 Muhammad Husayn Haykal wrote Zaynab, considered the first modern Egyptian as well as Islamic novel.

Africa by David Diop

David Diop. France (1927-1960).

David Diop was born in Bordeaux France to a Senegalese father and Cameroonean mother. Despite his French upbringing and education, he spent his life longing for Africa and empathizing with the African plight against French colonialism. His work reflects his hatred of colonial rulers and his hope for an independent Africa. He employed a colloquial style as a tool of popular protest. In 1960, Diop and his wife were killed in a plane crash returning from France to Dakar. Most of his work was destroyed with him in the crash; only the 22 poems that were published before his death remain.

Reflections on Colonialism:

Africa, lines 12-24

Africa tell me Africa
Is this your back that is bent
This back that breaks under the weight of humiliation
This back trembling with red scars
And saying yes to the whip under the midday sun
But a grave voice answer me
Impetuous child that tree young and strong
That tree over there
Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers
That is your Africa springing up anew
Springing up patiently obstinately
Whose fruits bit by bit acquire
The bitter taste of liberty.

Vultures, lines 1-5

In those days
When civilization kicked us in the face
When holy water slapped our cringing brows
The vultures build in the shadow of their talons
The bloodstained monument of tutelage

Yearning for Africa

Your Presence, lines 1-6

In your presence I rediscovered my name
My name that was hidden under the pain of separation
I rediscovered the eyes no longer veiled with fever
And your laughter like a flame piercing the shadows
Has revealed Africa to me beyond the snows of yesterday
Ten years my love

The Renegade, lines 8-17

We pity you
Your country's burning sun is nothing but a shadow
On your serene 'civilized' brow
And the thought of your grandmother's hut
Brings blushes to your face that is bleached
By years of humiliation and bad conscience
And while you trample on the bitter red soil of Africa
Let these words of anguish keep time with your
restless step-
Oh I am lonely so lonely here.

African Literature

African literature refers to literature of and from Africa. As George Joseph notes while the European perception of literature generally refers to written letters, the African concept includes oral literature.

As George Joseph continues, while European views of literature often stressed a separation of art and content, African awareness is inclusive:

"Literature" can also imply an artistic use of words for the sake of art alone. ... traditionally, Africans do not radically separate art from teaching. Rather than write or sing for beauty in itself, African writers, taking their cue from oral literature, use beauty to help communicate important truths and information to society. Indeed, an object is considered beautiful because of the truths it reveals and the communities it helps to build.

Modern Asian Literature

The polymath Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet, dramatist, and writer who was an Indian, became in 1913 the first Asian Nobel laureate. He won his Nobel Prize in Literature for notable impact his prose works and poetic thought had on English, French, and other national literatures of Europe and the Americas.He also wrote the Indian anthem Later, other Asian writers won Nobel Prizes in literature, including Yasunari Kawabata (Japan, 1966), and Kenzaburo Oe (Japan, 1994). In Pakistani literature, Saadat Hasan Manto (Urdu: ‏‏سعادت حسن منٹو) was a Punjab (Pakistan)-born Kashmiri short story writer who was notable for confronting controversial topics — including incest and social injustice — with wit, humor, and satire.

African Poets and Writers

Here you will find links to famous African-American poets such as Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, etc... At each Poet site, you will be able to read over their Biography, Poems, and even check out their picture....

Saturday, January 15, 2011