Exploring of African Identity in the Post-colonial period as Portrayed in some Selected African Novels

Abstract

This study aims at exploring the oral and written literature produced on the African continent has a long literary tradition, although very little of this literature was written down until the 20th century. the absence of widespread literacy, African literature was primarily oral and passed from one generation to the next through memorization and recitation. The study has set out to examine such themes as relating to African literature by drawing on certain literary texts by African writers. The first work selected for the present study is by the Gambian novelist Aye Qui Armah, The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, while the second by the Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiangu Weep Not Child. The two novels have in common the fact that they address the sociocultural issues in post-colonial Africa. Another important issue is of the fact of introducing such texts into our classroom setting for the purpose of raising the standards of our students both culturally as they become well acquainted with their cultural realities and language wise. Knowledge of culture will help students to come to grips with good knowledge of the textual language. The study adopts descriptive and analytical method of the questionnaire presented for the teachers. SPPS package was used to provide the statistical rendering required for the study. The study has come up with new insights into the area of English Language Teaching ( African identity in the classroom). Tight conclusions have been made in addition further studies as well as suggestions and recommendations.