THE IMPACT OF COLONIALISM ON AFRICAN LITERATURE

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The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the impact of colonialism on African literature. Colonialism profoundly shaped African literature, influencing its themes, forms, and expressions. The arrival of European powers in Africa disrupted indigenous cultures and introduced new languages, ideas, and systems of governance. This encounter led to a rich interplay between traditional oral traditions and Western literary forms, resulting in a unique body of literature that reflects the complexities of identity, resistance, and cultural hybridity. Writers such as Chinua Achebe, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, and Wole Soyinka utilized their works to critique colonial oppression and explore the repercussions of colonial rule on African societies. Through narratives that often blend myth, history, and personal experience, these authors articulate a diverse range of voices, highlighting the struggle for autonomy and the reclamation of cultural identity.