Search

While African literature in European languages is well-studied, 'ajamī and its significance in the intellectual history of Africa remains one of the least investigated areas in African studies. Yet 'ajamī is one of the oldest and most widespread forms of literature in Africa. This article draws scholars' attention to this unmapped terrain of knowledge. First, it provides a survey of major West African 'ajamī literary traditions and examines the nexus between the pedagogy of Aḥmadu Bamba and the development of Wolofal (Wolof'ajamī). Then, with reference to excerpts from Sēriñ Masoxna Ló's 1954 eulogy, it discusses the role of Wolofal in the diffusion of the Murīd ethos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impending fiftieth anniversary of the African Studies Association offers the occasion for a historian to reflect on the maturation of the field as a historical process. The essay employs metaphors from human development to highlight the inevitably incremental, always partial, steps by which people—including professional Africanists—accomplish significant change. For African studies these steps have moved from an initial social-science orientation and reliance on the abstractions of the high modernity of the mid-twentieth century to more experiential ways of understanding that have opened the door to new epistemologically African sensibilities. Africanists based in the United States are already moving beyond the limits of the external and objectifying tendencies inherent in ‘studying’ anything and instead are listening to and learning from their full partners and collaborators in and from Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Studies Review is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Focuses on the role of African literary theory in the understanding and reinvention of the African woman. Influence of the West on the African woman; Representation of the contemporary African woman; Issues on slavery and physical abuse of African women; Social conditions of African women.

Discusses the cultural distinctiveness inherent in modern African literature. Worldwide recognition; Ethical and moral nature of African civilization; Utilitarian function of African literature; Social cohesion; Defense of African culture; African mystical life, with emphasis on land, order and justice; African folklore; African time and space in literary form and vision; Universality.