Le sacre et ses variations dans trois romans africains d'expression francaise: "L'Homme-dieu de Bisso", "Elonga" et "L'Initie".
Item
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Title
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Le sacre et ses variations dans trois romans africains d'expression francaise: "L'Homme-dieu de Bisso", "Elonga" et "L'Initie".
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Identifier
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AAI9807945
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identifier
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9807945
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Creator
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Hukportie, Paul K.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Francesca Canade Sautman
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Date
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1997
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Language
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French
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Literature, African | Language, Modern | Anthropology, Cultural
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Abstract
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It is a common belief that Africa is losing its traditional religions and cultures, that Africans are irreversibly influenced by the West. Since the independence movements of the 60s and particularly in the 70s, writers and intellectuals have tried to redefine the sacred in an African perspective and the concept of religion in Africa.;This dissertation addresses the revalorization and the future of traditional religions as they are viewed by writers. This analysis focused on three novels, L'Homme-dieu de Bisso (1974) by Etienne Yanou (Cameroon), L'Initie (1979) by Olympe Bhely-Quenum (Benin) and Elonga (1986) by Nyugwentondo Rawiri (Gabon). These novels emphasize the theme's transformations in African literature by presenting their vision of African neo-traditional beliefs in a contemporary society.;In this study, I have analysed each novel in depth in order to illuminate its particular perspective in relation to the sacred. L'Homme-dieu de Bisso stresses the importance of the sacred in African traditional religions and also the rapport between Christianity and traditional practices, and the influences they have on each other. Elonga introduces the theme of witchcraft and its impact, mostly negative, on Africans and their daily life. L'Initie puts an emphasis on the necessity to promote traditional medicine and pharmacopea in combination with Western medicine, to better advance the well being of Africans and the development of medicine in general. It shows the tight symbiosis between the traditional African medical practices and initiation into a religion where sacred mysteries are carefully safeguarded.;The conclusion outlines the role African intellectuals and writers can play in the survival of African beliefs, rituals and practices in the contemporary world; these are seen not as mere folklore, nor mere residues of African cultures and civilizations, but as a viable solution to the grave social, economic and intellectual problems of the waning 20th century.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
