My literary journey began with fairytales that, in retrospect, were predominantly white, a common experience for many Nigerian children. In secondary school, I was introduced to the works of writers like Chinua Achebe, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, Leopold Senghor, Wole Soyinka, and others in the African Writers series. This exposure sparked a re-evaluation of my own identity as a black person. The themes of slavery, colonisation, and apartheid, which had previously seemed distant, became vivid and real to me through these works.
Literature has always been a powerful medium for social change, cultural expression, and the exploration of identity. Storytelling is the most basic form of this expression and makes us human. Over the years, as I delved into more literature and political commentary, I believe that the term Black writers often creates a dichotomy between writers on the African continent and those in the diaspora, raising questions about whose voices carry more significant influence. The experiences of Black writers in Africa and the diaspora are influenced by colonialism, identity, and post-colonial struggles. Diaspora writers have historically had more visibility due to access to global platforms, while local writers have traditionally struggled with access. This has led to many influential voices in Africa being lost and not getting international attention. I believe all black experiences matter when it comes to literature. Be it the stories of people around the River Niger or the struggles of slaves on the plantations in the Americas, they all form a sacred treasury of black literature. I want to avoid elevating one group over the other.
My top pick is Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (1958), considered the first major African novel in English. It has been translated into over 60 languages, making it one of the most widely translated African novels. Its global reach has allowed readers from diverse cultures and backgrounds to engage with Achebe’s exploration of colonialism, tradition, and change in Nigeria. The novel’s universal themes and cultural significance have made it a cornerstone of African literature worldwide. A TV series was created based on the book in 1987; Idris Elba is executive producing a new series also based on this book. It tells the story of Okonkwo, a proud Igbo leader, and his resistance to British colonialism and Christian missionaries in Nigeria. One thing that stands out in this work is how it shows that the Igbo society and, by extension, many black communities had organised institutions and economic systems that worked for them before the transatlantic slave trade and colonisation.
Other powerful narratives by black authors that address injustice and celebrate the richness of Black culture across continents include A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid (1988), African Origins of Civilization by Cheikh Anta Diop (1981), Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987), Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin (1955) and Uncle Tom’s Children (1938) by Richard Wright. These novels remain as relevant and impactful today as when they were first published. They serve as an important reminder of the power of literature to shape our perspectives and inspire us to strive for a more equitable world.
Contemporary voices include Chimamanda Adichie, Abubakar Adam, Vamba Sheriff, Nnedi Okorafor, Taiye Selas, Zeinab Badawi, Chigozie Obioma, NoViolet Bulawayo, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, Leila Aboulela, Petina Gappah. Their works intersect through their deep exploration of identity, culture, race, and the legacy of colonialism, offering nuanced perspectives on the African experience and its global context. Their literature adds rich layers to Black literature by incorporating themes such as migration, gender, and postcolonial struggles.