S2 E15: African Literature and its triple heritage

S2 E15: African Literature and its triple heritage

Author: Dr Teju Baba August 13, 2019 Duration: 7:16

My African cliche of the day is an answer to Thomas Jefferson.

To you who thought that blacks are a people without poetry, I would have liked to be there in 1784 to tell you that black Ethiopians wrote poems before your ancestors, in the British islands, learned from the Romans the Latin alphabet. And poetic tradition is so deeply rooted today among Kiswahili-speaking peoples in East Africa that newspapers receive letters and poems from readers almost daily.

You need to know Mr. Jefferson, that there is more than sadness and joy in African literature, more than tragedy and comedy. To paraphrase and complete the words of the excellent Sierra Leonese poet and diplomat, Davidson Abioseh Nicol:

You are not a country, Africa You are a concept [...]

You are not a concept, Africa You are a glimpse of the infinite.


Dr. Teju Baba hosts My African Cliches (English), a podcast that moves through time much like the Sankofa bird-looking thoughtfully at the past while steadily progressing forward. Each episode is a journey into the layers of African history, culture, and society, designed to challenge oversimplified narratives and uncover the continent's profound complexity. You’ll hear detailed explorations of specific events, figures, and cultural movements that are often glossed over or misunderstood, connecting historical roots to contemporary realities. This isn't just a recounting of dates and names; it's an engaging conversation about how centuries of rich, diverse experiences shape modern life across Africa. By unpacking these deep histories, the podcast provides essential context, helping listeners move beyond superficial stereotypes. Tune in for a nuanced and enlightening perspective that honors Africa's glorious past and its dynamic present, all within a single, thoughtfully produced podcast. Dr. Baba’s expertise guides you through these stories, making each episode a step toward a more informed and respectful understanding of a continent whose story is still being written.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

My African Cliches (English)
Podcast Episodes
S7 E13: Are you aware of the Fashoda Complex? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:35
Hello friends, I am back again, finally, after more than 5 months of a forced absence. Thank you to those who have taken news! don't worry, my prolonged absence is not due to a lack of inspiration, of topics to share wit…
S7 E 12: Searching for Mary: African Queen of Copenhagen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:15
This woman, Mary Thomas, a courageous 19th-century slave from St. Croix (now part of the U.S. Virgin Islands), rebelled against indignity, along with two other women leaders, Agnes and Mathilda, "the three queens," to sp…
S7 E11: The Nana Benz story: the harder they fall... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:32
Join us in Part 2 to learn how the reign of the Nana Benz ended and the efforts of their daughters, ( the Nanettes) who actually went to business schools in the US and Europe to try and keep the sun shining! Enjoy!
S7 E10: The Nana Benz: The quicker they rise... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:25
The Nana Benz is first and foremost a collective adventure that refers to the economic mutations of an entire continent, from the early days of the colonial age to the arrival in force of China. To understand their story…
S7 E5: Sierra Leone, 1961: Birth of a Nation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:38
If you too are SL, then tell me about the cotton tree, Bunce island, Dublin in Banana island, York, St John's Maroon Church, Old Fourah Bay College, the Martello tower, the 3 old city boundaries guns, the Wharf steps, an…
S7 E4: Sierra Leone,1789: the rise and fall of a British colony! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:01
It's a country whose recent history was overshadowed by a brutal civil war, but with a rich history, with one of the largest natural deep-water harbor in the world; it's the first country to appoint a woman as a cabinet…