African Children's Literature

[olufemi_baina_ayo]

African Children's Literature

by Lillian Temu Osaki



Introduction

What do we mean by "African children's literature"? A quick definition is "literature written for African children by African authors either in the vernacular or in a foreign language" (Meniru 1992:43). This simple definition failed me as I began researching the biographies of authors whose books I had selected, read, and appreciated as suitable for African children. Some of these books (e.g. Who's in Rabbit's House? A Maasai tale retold; Why Mosquitoes buzz in peoples ears: A West African tale retold; Tales of Temba; and Kyekyekulee, Grandmothers tales) were written by non-African authors. Verna Aardema, Peggy Appiah, and Kathleen Arnott are not Africans, but does the ethnic origin of an author disqualify her books as culturally African?

The purpose of this web page is to introduce scholars interested in African children's literature to a variety of material that is available for research in this area. I hope that what I have gathered here will serve as a useful starting point to anyone else interested in studying or doing research in African children's literature.*
Pre-colonial literature

African children's literature may be categorized as pre-colonial, colonial or post-colonial. Pre-colonial literature was basically oral. It was valued as "one of the major means by which societies educated, instructed, and socialised their younger members" (Odaga 1985:1). With the introduction of formal education, most of that which previously would have been considered oral literature--proverbs, riddles, tales, taboos, legends--is now available in print. Despite this, oral literature is not a thing of the past. In many African societies it is still alive and active. Much of it is still created daily, it is constantly being adjusted to new developments and continues to take on new dimensions.
Colonial period

During the colonial period African children in government and missionary schools were introduced to children's literature that was alien to their experience. Books like Black Beauty, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves are a few examples. These books have a western background and are based on western values. While some of them present moral teachings, I would argue that African children would have benefited more if they had read these books alongside books that had an African background with African cultural values. Those who regard oral and written literature as having equal values might argue that this was achieved because the African child despite being introduced to western literature was at the same time still listening to stories and proverbs at home. This was not the case. The introduction of formal education emphasized written literature as mature, civilized, and conscious of its art, and considered oral literature as primitive and lacking in technique.
Post-colonial literature

The books by the authors that I selected for this web page represent the literature produced for African children after colonialism. This material is now available to children in African schools and around the world. Despite having an African background it can be and is read by children from many different backgrounds.

*Note also that the African Studies Association announces a children's book award at its annual meetings. Another resource is the Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin (Ginny Moore Kruse, Librarian).
Children's authors treated on this web site

Verna Aardema. United States (1911-)
Peggy Appiah. Ghana/Britain (1921-)
Kathleen Arnott. Britain (1914-)
Meshack Asare. Ghana (1945-)
Barbara Kimenye. Uganda (1940-)
Teresa Meniru. Nigeria (19 ? )
Tololwa Mollel. Tanzania (1952-)
Asenath Bole Odaga. Kenya (1938- )
Kola Onadipe. Nigeria (1922- )
A few links to other web pages on African children's literature

Africa Access includes information on African children's book awards and "contains reviews and annotations of over 900 materials on Africa."

The Centre for International Research in Childhood at the University of Reading provides a good starting point.

The Africa Access Review Of Children's Materials on Africa, edited by Brenda Randolph.

The University of South Africa Children's Literature Research Unit (CLRU) includes academic publications, children's book awards, a bio-bibliography of Joan Rankin and the CLRU archives/book collection.

The South African Children's Literature Collection at UCT [see the same page for their historical Children's Literature Collection]: "Books published in South Africa from 1989 and exhibited annually by the Children's Book Forum of the Western Cape make up the core of this collection, apparently the only one of its kind in the country. The Children's Book Forum was founded in 1987, its aim being to encourage the writing, illustration, publishing and reading of, and research into, children's books in South Africa. The National Library of South Africa's Centre for the Book in Cape Town refers researchers to this collection. The Centre's mission is to "contribute toward the development of reading, especially among children...", most appropriate, in this, "Masifunde sonke" the Year of the Reader." N.B.

The Centre for the Book hosts an active e-group on South African Children's Literature. To find out more see http://www.centreforthebook.org.za

"The collection contains many useful texts used in the study of South Africa's languages. It is consulted by researchers in a number of disciplines such as English, Afrikaans, African Languages and Education, others researching the sociology of South African childhood as portrayed in children's books, as well as educators, book illustrators, writers and publishers. The University Libraries' Manuscripts & Archives Department holds original artwork by South Africa's premier children's book illustrator, Niki Daly, whose books are housed in this collection."

Jacaranda Designs "offers a unique blend of images from Africa's past and present. They continue to publish international award-winning children's books as well as adding a wider pan-African list to express optimism about Africa." One of their many bilingual (English and Swahili) publications for children is Mchesi goes to school.

"Started seven years ago by the Foundation for the Promotion of Children's Science Publications in Africa (CHISCI), the Pan-African Children's Book Fair (PACBF) is a fair with a difference. At the core of CHISCI's concern in initiating this activity was the African child and the need to stimulate a learning environment that captures and nurtures the child's inherent qualities of imagination, curiosity and creativity. The PACBF therefore is not merely an exhibition of books but has a dynamic atmosphere built around it deliberately to enhance the precious centre that books occupy in the learning life of a child" (Bellagio Publishing Newsletter, Number 23. October, 1998).
Works cited

Odaga, Asenath Bole. Literature for children and young people in Kenya. Nairobi: Kenya literature Bureau, 1985.

Meniru, Teresa. "Children's Literature: Progress and Problems." in Children and Literature in Africa. Ed. Ernest N. Emenyonu. Ibadan: Heinemann, 1992.
Select Research Bibliography from the University of Florida Libraries

Odiase, J. O. U. African Books for Children and Young Adults (A select Bibliography and check list). Benin: Nationwide Publication, 1986.

Heale, Jay. SACBIP 95 : All South African Children's Books in print 1995. Grabow: Bookchat, 1995.

Johnson, James P. Africana for Children and Young people. A Current Guide for Teachers and Librarians. Westport: Greenwood Periodicals, 1971.

Jones, Eldred D. And Marjorie Jones (eds.) Childhood in African literature : a review. Trenton, N.J. : Africa World Press, 1998. (African literature today ; 21).

Khoran, Meena. Africa in Literature for Children and Young Adults: An Annotated Bibliography of English-Language Books. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Mills, Joyce White. The Black World in Literature for Children: A Bibliography of Print and Non-Print Materials. Vol 2. Atlanta: Atlanta University School of Library, 1976.

Proceeding, Papers, and Summaries of discussions of the Seminar on Creative Writing and Publishing for Children in Africa today 12th- 14th January 1983. Freetown: Sierra Leone Central Library, 1983.

Schmidt, Nancy J. Children's Books on Africa and their authors: An Annotated Bibliography. New York: Africana Publishing Co, 1975.

-----. Supplement to Children's Books on Africa and their authors. An Annotated Bibliography. New York: Africana Publishing Co, 1979.

Yenika-Agbaw, Vivian. 1998. "Images of West Africa in children's books: Replacing old stereotypes with new ones?" New Advocate 11:3 (203-218). [Reprinted with permission in Alternative library literature : a biennial anthology 1998/99].
Other African Children's Literature Authors Available At UF Libraries
Author Title Place and publishing information
Appe, James Stories from Uganda Nairobi, Kenya: East African Educational, 1994
----- More stories from Uganda Nairobi, Kenya: East African Educational, 1994
Achebe, Chinua The drum Enugu, Nigeria: Fourth Dimension, 1979
----- The flute Enugu, Nigeria: Fourth Dimension, 1979
Annoh, G. Kwesi Island of no return Accra, Ghana: Educational Press, 1993
Darmani, Lawrence Stories from Africa Achimota, Ghana: Africa Christian Press, 1994
Enwonwu, Chio Tortoise goes to town Ibadan, Nigeria: Heinemann, 1992
Koloko, Leonard Pinto and the magic flute Lusaka: Zambia Educational Publishing House, 1994
Kuforiji, J.A. Best Nigerian folk tales Ibadan, Nigeria: J. Kuforiji, 1990
Mhlophe Gcina Snake with seven heads Braamfontein, South Africa: Skotaville Publishers, 1989
----- The singing dog Johannesburg, South Africa: Skotaville, 1992
Ngugi Wa Thion'go Njamba Nene's pistol Nairobi, Kenya: Heinemann, 1986
Oloro, Nancy Golden bangle Kampala, Uganda: Fountain Publishers, 199-
----- Mother eats her son Kampala, Uganda: Fountain Publishers, 1993
Orchardson-Mazrui, Elizabeth The adventures of Mekatilili Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers, 1999.
Tumusiime, James The ungrateful mother Kampala, Uganda: Fountain Publishers, 199-
Yemitan, Oladipo Bearded story teller Akure, Nigeria: Fagbamigbe, 1980