" P o l i t i c s , Culture And African Poetry: An Examination Of The Poetry ofAgostinho Neto Okot : p ' B i t ek And Sipho Sepamla-"
" P o l i t i c s , Culture And African Poetry: An Examination Of The Poetry ofAgostinho Neto Okot : p ' B i t ek And Sipho Sepamla-"
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Date
1989-09
Authors
GARBAI, Kashim Umar
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Abstract
The thesis examines the relationship in politics,
poetry and culture, thus establishing the criteria for an
appreciation of African poetry. The general cultural and
political trends are considered and treated as themes
and motifs. The study further illuminates the African
condition and the achievements of poetry as a vehicle for
cultural and political emancipation. The thesis also
judges the commitment of the three poets from the perspective
of the large theories apparent in their regions in
relation to Africa in general. The extent to which the
poets identify with cultural and political movements is
sometimes left to the judgement of the reader. From the
analyses of literary scholarship, the concepts of poetry,
politics and culture are shown as merging in African poetry.
in this way, a fairly 'acceptable' definition of African
poetry is premised.
This is achieved through applying the method of
critical realism which is considered more independent but
not without relying on some of the methodologies applied
by established scholars. in this way, the researcher
hazards accepting some of the views achieved through such
methodologies. The research, however, tries to use
African scholars for the interpretations and care is taken
not to use European tools for the analysis; i.e. viewing
the poetry from European poetic conceptions and
classifications.
vii
The first chapter is a review of critical
literature relating to the thesis. it examines the
trends in the interpretation of the three poets and
establishes the researcher's views over such trends.
The general- view is often subjected to further scrutiny
in order to concretize the appeal it may have. The
trends in Neto's criticism are shown mostly as glossy,
in p'Bitek's poetry as cyclical, because the earlier trend
has re-emerged, and in sepamla as consistent on the
thematic level but there is variance in the style of the
poetry.
Chapter two is on the early poetry of Neto with a
background information which captures the dominant
Negritudinal mood and the darkness of colonial oppression
with strained hope.
Chapter three analyses the audacious and revolutionary
Neto who has experienced jail life and tasted the
insensitivity of the Portuguese which disillusions him to
join the struggle.
Chapter four is an examination of okot p'Bitek's
poetry from the context of Africa's new political and
cultural dilemma, with the freshness of the song genre
he introduces and its achievements.
Chapter five considers the poetry of sipho sepemla
within the context of the New Generation poets after the
bans in south Africa who comes with a new form, influenced
by the ideals of the Black consciousness Movement.
viii
Chapter six is the conclusion which establishes
the achievement of the thesis in examining African
poetry through these poets and the common grounds
on which they have been subjected to censorship and
banning.
i x
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
AHHADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN AFRICAN LITERATURE
Keywords
" P o l i t i c s ,, Culture, African Poetry:, Examination, Poetry ofAgostinho Neto Okot : p ' B i t ek, Sipho Sepamla-"