scholarly journals Understanding Currents and Theories in Indian and African Postcolonial Literature: Themes, Tropes and Discourse in the Wider Context of Postcolonialism

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-393
Author(s):  
Shivani Ekkanath
Keyword(s):  
Postcolonial Studies ◽  
Postcolonial Literature ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Colonial Literature ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Diasporic Identity ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Diaspora And Transnationalism

The postcolonial narratives we see today are a study in contrast and tell a different tale from their colonial predecessors as minorities and individuals finally have found the voice and position to tell their stories. Histories written about our culture and societies have now found a new purpose and voice. The stories we have passed down from generation to generation through both oral and written histories, continue to morph and change with the tide of time as they re-centre our cultural narratives and shared experiences. As a result, the study of diaspora and transnationalism have altered the way in which we view identity in different forms of multimedia and literature. In this paper, the primary question which will be examined is, how and to what extent does Indian post-colonial literature figure in the formation of identity in contemporary art and literature in the context of ongoing postcolonial ideas and currents? by means of famous and notable postcolonial literary works and theories of Indian authors and theoreticians, with a special focus on the question and notion of identity. This paper works on drawing parallels between themes in Indian and African postcolonial literary works, especially themes such as power, hegemony, east meets west, among others. In this paper, European transnationalism will also be analysed as a case study to better understand postcolonialism in different contexts. The paper will seek to explore some of the gaps in the study of diasporic identity and postcolonial studies and explore some of the changes and key milestones in the evolution of the discourse over the decades.

scholarly journals Pós-colonialismo e tradução: uma análise do romance Half a Life e sua tradução para o português

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-320
Author(s):  
Mirian Ruffini ◽  
Gabriel Both Borella
Keyword(s):  
Original Work ◽  
Postcolonial Studies ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Brazilian Portuguese ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Postcolonial Discourse

The publication of translations of postcolonial literary works is increasingly gaining space in the Brazilian publishing market. In this article, the articulation between Translation Studies and Postcolonial Studies is sought through the analysis of the post-colonial novel Half a Life, by V.S. Naipaul, and its translation to Brazilian Portuguese, entitled Meia Vida. Discussions of ideological aspects in the translation of postcolonial texts and the very choice of what is translated and by whom are questions raised by the text, as well as the challenges of translating postcolonial literary texts. Finally, it is discussed how the postcolonial discourse of the original work is transmitted through translation, ascertaining possible suppression or maintenance of the postcolonial tone of the original work in the translated work.

scholarly journals Bollywood Dreams? The Rise of the Asian Mela as a Global Cultural Phenomenon

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Smith ◽  
Elizabeth Carnegie
Keyword(s):  
Identity Construction ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Cultural Continuity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ethnic Communities ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Diasporic Identity ◽  
Cultural Forms ◽  
Artistic Directors

This article will examine some of the complexities inherent in the development of Asian Mela festivals from small-scale community-based events in India, to national celebrations of Diasporic culture in Western countries. Like Caribbean Carnivals, Melas are becoming more popular as a global cultural tourism phenomenon and are increasingly being promoted to white and tourist audiences. This similarly engenders fears of cultural dilution, distortion, and ‘Othering’. The programming of Melas is apparently keeping pace with the exporting, re-packaging and hybridisation of other forms of Asian culture, such as cuisine, music, fashion, and cinema. But does this symbolise a Bollywood dream or just another post-colonial appropriation of indigenous or Disaporic cultures? Cultural protectionism is certainly a contentious issue within Diasporic communities, where inter-generational differences of opinion can lead to conflict and confusion. Identity construction is complex and worthy of further examination in the context of Melas, which traditionally served to celebrate ethnic community and folk cultures and identities, but are increasingly becoming a showcase for global and hybridised cultural forms. The article will examine these issues, as well as providing an analysis of the factors and mechanisms that are driving the development of Melas forward. This will include the role and vision of artistic directors of Melas, the contribution of ethnic communities to cultural continuity, and issues relating to audience and tourism development. A case study of the Edinburgh Mela will be presented, which exemplifies a number of the aforementioned issues, focusing in particular on national and Diasporic identity construction, and the tensions between popular and traditional cultural forms.

scholarly journals Le Griot Dans La Litterature Postcoloniale: Une Etude De Guelwaar De Sembene Ousmane

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-77
Author(s):  
Ifeoma Mabel Onyemelukwe ◽  
Abubakar Dauda Adamu ◽  
Chukwunonso Hyacinth Muotoo
Keyword(s):  
Postcolonial Literature ◽  
African Society ◽  
Colonial Literature ◽  
The Real ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Literary Character ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Feminist Theories ◽  
African Writer ◽  
African Writers

Le griot dans la société traditionnelle africaine de l’ère précoloniale est un personnage complexe chargé d’une myriade de fonctions. Il est bien respecté et honoré. La présente étude se donne l’objectif d’examiner profondément la peinture du griot dans la littérature africaine postcoloniale utilisant Guelwaar de Sembène Ousmane comme texte de base tout en établissant ses fonctions et ses portraits. L’étude privilégie quelques théories critiques comme le postcolonialisme, les théories marxiste et féministe. De plus, l’examen s’effectue à la lumière de l’image du griot d’antan et des sept catégories de nouveaux griots postulés par Ifeoma Mabel Onyemelukwe. Nous découvrons deux types de griot dépeints par Ousmane dans Guelwaar : le griot personnage littéraire nommé Guelwaar et le griot écrivain contemporain africain, Sembène Ousmane lui-même. Ces deux griots entretiennent des rapports de similitude et de divergence avec le vrai griot. Mais le griot écrivain contemporain africain ressemble beaucoup plus au griot d’antan en dépit des points de divergence. Nous finissons par déceler dix-huit fonctions du griot et par-là arriver aux dix-huit portraits du griot dans Guelwaar dont le griot bibliothèque publique bien documentée et le griot détenteur de la littérature écrite africaine postcoloniale. Nous parvenons à la conclusion que la littérature postcoloniale, comme l’atteste Guelwaar de Sembène Ousmane, se caractérise par une revalorisation des valeurs authentiques, honorables et louables du griot de caste. Ceci est symbolisé par l’apparition du griot personnage littéraire dans certaines oeuvres de la littérature écrite postcoloniale africaine comme Guelwaar et surtout la prééminence accordée aux griots écrivains contemporains africains tel Sembène Ousmane.   The griot, in the traditional African society is a complex personality charged with multiple functions. He is well respected and honoured. The objective of the present research is to make an in-depth study of the depiction of the griot in post-colonial literature using Guelwaar as study text while establishing his functions and portraits. Postcolonialism, Marxist and Feminist theories constitute the theoretical framework. Furthermore, the examination is carried out in the light of the image of the real griot and the seven categories of new griots promulgated by Ifeoma Mabel Onyemelukwe. It is found that Sembène Ousmane depicts two types of griots in Guelwaar, namely: the griot as literary character named Guelwaar and the griot as contemporary African writer, Sembène Ousmane, himself. These two griots have certain similarities and differences with the real griot. But the findings show that the griot as contemporary African writer resembles more the real griot, their points of disparity notwithstanding. Eighteen functions and eighteen portraits of the griot are established, among which are: the griot as well documented library and the griot as custodian of written postcolonial African Literature. A firm conclusion is reached, that postcolonial literature, as reflected in Sembène Ousmane’s Guelwaar, is characterized by the revalorization of the real griot’s authentic, honorable and praise-worthy values. This is symbolized in the projection of the griot as literary character in some literary works like Guelwaar and in particular, the preeminence given to griots as Contemporary African writers as typified by Sembène Ousmane.

scholarly journals The relation between nostalgia and vitalism in 'Afscheid van Congo: met Jef Geeraerts terug naar de evenaar' by Erwin Mortier

Afrika Focus ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Bolle
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Postcolonial Literature ◽  
Colonial Literature ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
The Future

This essay elaborates on my presentation on nostalgia and postcolonial literature, as presented at the 8th symposium of the Ghent Africa Platform held in autumn 2014. During this presentation I made a short analysis of how Svetlana Boym’s ideas on nostalgia, as expressed in her book Nostalgia for the Future, can be used to analyse Erwin Mortier’s memories of traveling, as noted in his book Afscheid van Congo: met Jef Geeraerts terug naar de evenaar (Goodbye to Congo: back to the equator with Jef Geeraerts). During my presentation I also introduced the relation between nostalgia and (aesthetic) vitalism. In this paper I will elaborate on the relation between nostalgia and vitalism as a phenomenon within (post)colonial literature. Key words: Svetlana Boym, Erwin Mortier, Jef Geeraerts, vitalism, nostalgia 

scholarly journals Women Writers and the Images of Women Representation in the Post-Colonial Literature. Case Study of Zuwaira Isa Jos and Her Struggles.

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Balbasatu Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Women Writers ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Colonial Literature ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Back Ward ◽  
Images Of Women

Women in Northern Nigeria although seemed and portrayed by many as naïve and back ward educationally, economically and politically, are blessed with talents and determination . These qualities make them able to struggle and overcome most of the cultural inhibitions; of gender discriminations and religious misconceptions that hinder them from participating in decision making and accessing other basic necessities for human development. They manage to break the silence and raise their voices through oral and written literature, where they lament and admonish the society against some cultural practices that are usually targeted at women folks.  In this paper one of such women writers; Zuwaira Isa Jos, and her works are discussed.   

scholarly journals Islamic Literature Discourse in the Postcolonial Era: The Transcendental Literature of Indonesia and Genuine Literature of Malaysia

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-74
Author(s):  
Mohd. Faizal Musa ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Colonial Discourse ◽  
Colonial Literature ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
The Core ◽  
Prophetic Literature ◽  
Western Discourse ◽  
Early Discussion ◽  
Islamic Literature

This article discusses the idea of Prophetic Literature or Sufi Literature that developed along the same lines as Transcendental Literature, founded by Kuntowijoyo. The core philosophies behind Transcendental Literature are the teachings of Sufism and mysticism. With Islam Kejawen (Javanese Sufism) as a background, Transcendental Literature emphasizes the spiritual experience and effort by humans to seek the love of Allah. It also emphasizes on traditional elements such as the “return to the roots of local culture”, including Kejawen (Javanese Sufism) as a source to respond to the post-colonial literary discourse. In comparison, in Malaysia, Genuine Literature, pioneered by Mohd. Affandi Hassan, attempts to differentiate between the term and concept of kesusasteraan (literature), which is linked to Western fiction, and persuratan (writing), Mohd. Affandi Hassan’s ambitious venture was to liberate Muslim authors from Western colonization. Genuine (Islamic) Literature focuses on ‘ ilm or knowledge, hence excluding aspects of superstition and imagination in literary works. Also, in Genuine Literature, the real beauty in literary works lies in the “combination of aesthetics and intellect”. Genuine Literature also rejects absolute freedom for authors, with creativity no longer taken to be a measure of creativity. As an early discussion, this paper will highlight aspects of the Transcendental Literature of Indonesia and Genuine Literature of Malaysia and how they were presented as a response to the Western discourse. Both clearly try to provide “Islamic Literature” with distinctive features to create a more meaningful post-colonial discourse. Keywords: Islamic Literature, Transcendental Literature, Genuine Literature, Javanese Sufism, Post Colonial Literature

scholarly journals Interface of Linguistics, Literature, and Culture in Translating Singapore and Sri Lanka Postcolonial Poetry

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Novita Dewi
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Postcolonial Theory ◽  
Postcolonial Literature ◽  
Language Game ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Textual Strategies

The interface of linguistics, literature, and culture was clear in translation. English Studies in Indonesia had undergone revision by the inclusion of postcolonial literature in its curriculum. Literary works from Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India and other Asian countries were introduced and translated. Given that language game was central in postcolonial writing, equitable knowledge and grasps of linguistics, literature, and culture were significant in translation. Through the lens of re-placing language as textual strategies in post-colonial writing, this paper explored the application of this reading method and gave practical examples of translating English poems written in, respectively, Singapore and Sri Lankan postcolonial contexts into Indonesian. The discussion showed that in order to preserve the postcolonial strategies of writing back to the colonial ideology, the translation took into account the reconceptualization and reconstruction of people, language, and culture, instead of literal rendering from the source language to the target language. Adoption of postcolonial theory as the translating method shown in this study is important to add to the theory and practice of translation. This trajectory can be used to translate other literary works written in varieties of English into Indonesian, using as they do, different translation strategies to make the translation products accurate, appropriate, and acceptable.

scholarly journals The relation between nostalgia and vitalism in ‘Afscheid van Congo: met Jef Geeraerts terug naar de evenaar’ by Erwin Mortier

Afrika Focus ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Clara Bolle
Keyword(s):  
Postcolonial Literature ◽  
Colonial Literature ◽  
Post Colonial ◽  
The Future

This essay elaborates on my presentation on nostalgia and postcolonial literature, as presented at the 8th symposium of the Ghent Africa Platform held in autumn 2014. During this presentation I made a short analysis of how Svetlana Boym’s ideas on nostalgia, as expressed in her book Nostalgia for the Future, can be used to analyse Erwin Mortier’s memories of traveling, as noted in his book Afscheid van Congo: met Jef Geeraerts terug naar de evenaar (Goodbye to Congo: back to the equator with Jef Geeraerts). During my presentation I also introduced the relation between nostalgia and (aesthetic) vitalism. In this paper I will elaborate on the relation between nostalgia and vitalism as a phenomenon within (post)colonial literature.

Possessing the Iconic Book

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 309-329
Author(s):  
Claudia V. Camp
Keyword(s):  
Second Century ◽  
Religious Literature ◽  
Ben Sira ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Iconic Status ◽  
The Voice ◽  
Woman Wisdom ◽  
Martin Marty

I propose that the notion of possession adds an important ideological nuance to the analyses of iconic books set forth by Martin Marty (1980) and, more recently, by James Watts (2006). Using the early second century BCE book of Sirach as a case study, I tease out some of the symbolic dynamics through which the Bible achieved iconic status in the first place, that is, the conditions in which significance was attached to its material, finite shape. For Ben Sira, this symbolism was deeply tied to his honor-shame ethos in which women posed a threat to the honor of his eternal name, a threat resolved through his possession of Torah figured as the Woman Wisdom. What my analysis suggests is that the conflicted perceptions of gender in Ben Sira’s text is fundamental to his appropriation of, and attempt to produce, authoritative religious literature, and thus essential for understanding his relationship to this emerging canon. Torah, conceived as female, was the core of this canon, but Ben Sira adds his own literary production to this female “body” (or feminized corpus, if you will), becoming the voice of both through the experience of perfect possession.

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