Canons of indigenous traditions and Western values: the voice of African women writers
Kwasha, Linda Loretta
The study is aimed at analyzing the Canons of lndigenous Traditions and Western Values: The
Voices of African Women Writers focusing in different genres written by African women
writers with the exception of one book which is entitled lkamva Lethu which is written by
a male author. This study examines critically the way African women writers approach the
issues that affect their lives, socially, emotionally, psychologicalJy, politically, culturally and
personally. This thesis attempts to delve into the reality of the concerns of women in our
societies. Our analysis is based on different genres in which every topic is first and foremost
being introduced by the responses from different interviewees to prove the relationship
between written work and what is happening in our society.
Literature review of other works researching on related issues are given consideration.
Biographical details of some African women writers are provided where their background of
writing is being pointed out. The term African literature is also given consideration since this
study is based on the works of African women writers. A brief account of field research and
how the data was collected including the conditions on which the interviews were conducted
is also a part of the study.
The theoretical framework where the whole study will be based has been discussed. An
acclectical approach has been employed where more than one theory has been dissected. These
are the theories that are going to form the base of the study; psychoanalysis where different
views from different psychoanalists such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Lacan, Julliet Mitchell
will be tested, womanism, which aimed at the unity of blacks everywhere under the
enlightened control of men and women, feminism will also form part of our theoretical
framework.
The African traditional canons are examined where women writers are voicing out their
concerns about African tradition and how women are sometimes being disadvantaged by the
tradition. Western values will discuss women as individual rather than as dependent people
who cannot reason about their own values instead seeing themselves being forced to accept
patriarchy imposed on them. The voice of African women writers will be tested where they
show their commitment in their womanhood and they wilJ tell the truth of being a woman.
Beyond gender inequality explores the way in which these inequalities are being implemented
and how do people and characters respond to them. This leads to the concluding remarks
where the assessment of the general overview of the study will be made. The applaud is being
given to the women writers who portray the courage of seeing the necessity of putting forward
their feelings and how they want the world to view them as women
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