English 301D. African Poetry

DR M. Z. Malaba

The aim of this course is to introduce students to certain forms of African Poetry. The course would start off with a study of oral poetry based on the formative genres of "traditional" poetry. This would be followed by a study of Okot p'Bitek's Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol, which show the versatily of oral art forms, and their relevance to "contemporary" issues. The second part of the course would focus on regional particolarities, based on the Modern Poetry from Africa anthology, culminating in an in-dept study of one of Africa's leading poets, Leopold Sedar Sengher.

Suggested Booklist

Mapanje & White (eds). Oral Poetry from Africa. Longan

p'Bitek, O. Song of Lawino, College Press

Moore & Beier (eds). Modern Poetry from Africa. Penguin