• African literature consists of a

body of work in different

languages and various genres,

ranging from oral literature to

literature written in colonial

languages (French,

Portuguese, and English).

HISTORY• The first African literature is circa 2300- 2100,

when ancient Egyptians begin using burial texts

to accompany their dead. These include the

first written accounts of creation - the

Memphite Declaration of Deities. Not only that,

but 'papyrus', from which we originate our

word for paper, was invented by the Egyptians,

and writing flourished. In contrast, Sub-Saharan

Africa feature a vibrant and varied oral culture.

• They provide useful knowledge, historical

knowledge, ethical wisdom, and creative

motivation in a direct fashion. Oral culture

takes many forms: proverbs and riddles, epic

narratives, oration and personal testimony,

praise poetry and songs, chants and rituals,

stories, legends and folk tales. This is present

in the many proverbs told in Things Fall Apart,

and the rich cultural emphasis of that book

also is typically African.

PERIOD OF COLONIZATION• With the period of Colonization, African

oral traditions and written works came

under a serious outside threat.

Europeans, justifying themselves with

the Christian ethics, tried to destroy the

"pagan" and "primitive" culture of the

Africans, to make them more pliable

slaves.

THEMES OF AFRICAN LITERARY WORKS• Oral literature, including stories, dramas,

riddles, histories, myths, songs, proverbs, and

other expressions, is frequently employed to

educate and entertain children.

• Oral histories, myths, and proverbs

additionally serve to remind whole

communities of their ancestors' heroic deeds,

their past, and the precedents for their

customs and traditions.

• Born at Qunu, Africa on July 18, 1918.• When his father died, he was trained for

becoming the chief of his local tribe.

• While at the university he was being aware of

the unfair nature of South African Society.

• He involved in politics with his friend Oliver

Tambo.

• He finished his degree and become a Lawyer.

• In 1952 they opened the first Black Law firm on

South Africa.

• In 1960, the Sharpville massacre of 63

black South African’s changed the whole

political climate.

• 1962, Nelson Mandela had been arrested

and sentenced to life imprisonment.

• 1990, he was released on the prison.

• May 10, 1994, he was inaugurated as the

first democratically elected State

President of South Africa.

• Mandela led over the transition from

minority rule and apartheid.

• Despite the initial joy of winning the

election the ANC faced a difficult

challenge to improve the lives of the

black population.

• His eldest son died because of the

HIV.

• June 1999, he was retired as

President but he continued to

be a international figure of

great stature.

• In 1993, Nelson Mandela was

awarded the Nobel Peace

Prize.