AFRC594 - POST-COLONIALISM LIT: AFRICAN/CARIBBEAN POETRY

Writing in 2001, literary critic Jahan Ramazani introduced his study The Hybrid Muse by noting that unlike authors of fiction, the achievements of postcolonial poets have been strangely neglected. In this course we ll consider whether and why that may be changing, focusing on Africana poets from the Caribbean and Africa. We will begin by considering Isidore Okpewho s influential study of oral poetry and myth in Africa, and then move chronologically through a set of weekly readings likely to include Nicolas Guillen (Cuba), Aime Cesaire (Martinique), Leopold Senghor (Senegal), Okpot Bitek (Uganda), Chris Okigbo (Nigeria), Kofi Awoonor (Ghana), Kamau Braithwaite (Trinidad), Derek Walcott (St. Lucia), David Dabydeen (Guyana/UK), Dionne Brand (Trinidad/Canada), Julia de Burgos (Puerto Rico), M. NourbeSe Philip (Tobago/Canada) and Chris Abani (Nigeria/US). Among the broad questions we ll consider are why women s voices appear to be underrepresented, how oral poetic traditions and translation inflect this body of work, the grounds of comparison across African and Caribbean spaces, and the particular contributions of poets who are also critics. The reading list may be adjusted to address interests of seminar members, and prospective students are welcome to send suggestions for particular authors, readings, or units to Tsitsi Jaji.


This is an introductory-level graduate class, open to advanced undergraduate majors by permission. No particular background knowledge is expected. Assignments will consist of weekly response papers, an in-class presentation, and a choice of a final conference-style paper (10-12pp) or syllabus.