African writers advocate for joyful narratives at Dibrugarh Literary Festival

Dibrugarh, Feb 8: African writers participating in the Dibrugarh International Literary Festival in Assam have challenged the stereotypical portrayal of Africa as a continent solely defined by pain and struggle. Instead, they emphasized the joy and resilience that also characterize African narratives.

The festival, which featured Africa as its central theme this year, brought together over 200 writers, including prominent authors from various African countries. These writers played a significant role in more than 50 sessions, including a panel titled “African Literature: Of Fear, Pain, Memories, and Troubled History.”

While the panelists did not take offense, they suggested renaming the session to better reflect the joy that emerges from African struggles.

South African author Siphiwo Mahala, known for his work The House of Truth, questioned whether fear, pain, and historical trauma truly define African literature. “Yes, these elements exist, but there is also joy and happiness in our literature,” he remarked, urging a broader perspective on African storytelling.

Dibrugarh University — African-Italian singer-writer Karima 2G in a spontaneous moment at the festival

Cape Verdean author Joaquim Arena, author of Under Our Skin, echoed similar sentiments. He highlighted Africa’s rich storytelling heritage, remarking, “Africa has the earliest stories of mankind.” Arena expressed frustration over the distortion of African oral folklore during European colonization, emphasizing, “Literature is food for the soul.”

Guinea-Bissauan engineer-author Abdulai Sila stressed the need to shift the focus from historical challenges to themes of peace and solidarity. “It’s necessary to move beyond fear and pain and highlight positivity,” he said, calling for a future-oriented approach to African literature.

Singer and writer Karima 2G, who shared her experiences growing up as the only Black girl in a predominantly White community, credited her exposure to African literature for making her feel connected to her roots. “When I visited Africa for the first time ten years ago, I didn’t feel like a stranger,” she said, adding that her works seek to celebrate joy and happiness within the African community.

The festival, organized by the Foundation for Culture, Arts, and Literature (FOCAL) and Dibrugarh University, concluded on Saturday. The African writers expressed gratitude for the platform to showcase diverse African literary perspectives.

An exhilarating dance performance by African students studying at the university marked the inauguration of the four-day event, captivating the audience with vibrant energy.

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