NIGERIA: ART AND LITERATURE

Nigeria’s art traditions go back thousands of years. And while some of it was tied to religious purposes, there are many objects that are used for everyday purposes. Different tribes in Nigeria excelled at different arts, although there are many traditions that span the entire region.

 

Archaeologists have found evidence of pottery dating back to 100BC and terra cotta wares from about 800AD. Many of these pots have complicated carvings on them. In many cultures, the potters were women. Terra cotta was also used to make sculptures, but these statues and figurines were also made from other materials such as bronze, brass, and ceramic. The Nigerians also made masks out of bronze and copper as well.

Masks were also an important part of Nigerian culture. Most of these masks were made from wood and painted in a variety of styles. The Yoruba masks are probably the most well known (or at least the most well preserved). It’s thought that if you wear these masks at funerals or other ceremonies, then it appeases the gods. (Or at least your introvert soul.)

Nigerians are also known for their brightly colored cloths. The dyes are made from a number of natural plants in order to get the color they are looking for. There are differences in the dying and weaving techniques among different tribes. Of course, there are other smaller carvings and handicrafts that are also created by Nigerian artists: woodcarving, ivory carving, and woven baskets are also commonly found in the home.

by Emeka Okereke

There are many Nigerian artists who are quite known for their work in a variety of mediums. A few of the more prominent ones today include Victoria Udondian (painter, fashion designer), Emeka Okereke (painter, photographer), Adamu Waziri (animator for Bino & Fino), Karl Ohiri (photographer), Wura-Natasha Ogunji (performance artist), Lucy Azubuike (photographer, performance artist), Marcia Kure (painter), Adaku Utah (performance artist), Otobong Nkanga (photographer, painter, performance artist), and Nnenna Okore (sculptor).

by Nnenna Okore

Literature in Nigeria is mainly written in English, but there are many writers who write in a number of other regional languages like Hausa, Urhodo, Igbo, and Yoruba. Scholars have divided Nigerian literature into four periods. The earliest is known as the 14 Kingdoms (from about 10^th­­­­–19^th century), followed by the Sokoto Period (19^th–20^th centuries), Colonial Period (early part of the 20^th century), and the Post-Independence Period (latter part of 20^th century to today).

There were many writers who emerged from the earliest period who laid the groundwork for writers for centuries to come. Some of the most important writers to emerge from this period include Ibn Furtu (late 1500s), Muhammad ibn Masani (1600s), Abdullahi Suka (1600s), and Sheikh Jibril ibn Umar (1700s). 

Today, there have been many 20^th and 21^st century writers who have had a tremendous impact on not on Nigerian and Anglophone literature in and of itself but on an international level as well. Probably one of the most well-known authors from Nigeria is Chinua Achebe. I (and probably most college English majors) had to read his famous novel Things Fall Apart. And while I tried to fake my way through the book at the time (that’s what you get when you double major in English and Music), I went back years later and re-read it for real. And I ended up reading No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God after that. He’s sometimes referred to as the Father of Modern African Literature. In 2007, he was awarded the Man Booker prize for his lifetime achievement and influences to African literature. 

Another Nigerian author worth mentioning is Wole Soyinka. He has written many plays but also several memoirs, poetry collections, essays, and a couple of novels. Although he mainly writes in English, he is a Yoruba speaker. Soyinka was recognized for his contributions to literature in 1986 as he accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature. This made him the first African to be awarded this prize.

Up next: music and dance

THE GAMBIA: ART AND LITERATURE

There isn’t a lot of specific information on the art traditions of The Gambia. Many of its traditions are similar in nature to a lot of other West African countries. I’m trying not to say that there really isn’t any outstandingly noteworthy about their art, because I think there is probably a significant amount of art created there. It’s just that there really isn’t much that has been written and expounded upon in comparison to other countries. Like other West African countries, each ethnic group has its own set of masks for various ceremonies and functions. They are mostly made out of wood and painted with plant and other natural-based dyes.

by Edrisa Jobe

by Baboucarr Etu Ndow

Gambians are also skilled in arts and crafts and a variety of other art medium. Sculptures, dolls portraying traditional wear, and jewelry are often displayed. When it comes to functional art, Gambians make a variety of sandals, handbags, woven mats and material, and tie-dyed clothes. They also have a lot of traditional European-style paintings, mostly of African landscapes and people depicting typical Gambian life. Artists' styles vary from modern, abstract doused in surrealism but with touches of  primitivism. Watercolors seem to be a common medium. Some of the most renowned artists coming out of The Gambia are Baboucarr Etu Ndow, Bubacarr Badgie, Edrisa Jobe, Momodou Ceesay, Moulaye Sarr, Njogu Touray, and Toyimbo. Several cities have art museums and galleries showcasing traditional and modern Gambian art for both locals and tourists to admire.

Literature in The Gambia is either in English or in Arabic. Although English is the official language of the country, many Muslim Gambians are also starting to learn the Arabic language to better understand the Qur’anic verses they recite.  Literacy still remains a difficult feat, mostly because The Gambia still has a large portion of its people living in rural areas.  This makes it difficult for the access of schools and supplies. There are a growing number of elementary schools, but not as much access to higher education. Attendance is not required nor is it free. This is one reason why many have difficulty continuing their education. However, in most cases, it’s not for lack of interest. Most parents of school-aged children see the value in having both their boys and girls educated. Despite all of this, literacy is on the rise, although many of the older generations remain among the least literate.

University of The Gambia

Since the 1970s, there has been an increase in the number of people attending university and going on into educational fields and writing. Gambian schools often use textbooks and literature from other areas of Africa and Europe.  With this surge of college graduates, there is a push to create Gambian textbooks written by Gambian educators.

Janet Badjan-Young

And there have actually been many Gambian writers contributing to English-language literature (as well as some Arabic-language literature). Some of the English-language Gambian writers you might come across are Janet Badjan-Young (considered one of the best playwrights in the country), William Conton (educator and novelist, born in The Gambia, but of Sierra Leone Creole roots in the Caribbean, did most of his work in Sierra Leone and Ghana), Ebou Dibba (educator and novelist, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire), Hassan Bubacar Jallow (lawyer, Attorney General for Gambia, writer, member of several International Criminal Tribunals),  Hanna Augusta Darling Jawara (nurse, playwright, fighter for women’s rights), Alh. A.E. Cham Joof (historian, author, radio program director, lecturer, known for his Pan-Africanism), Lenrie Peters (surgeon, novelist, poet, educator), and Tijan Sallah (economist, short story writer, poet).

Up next: music and dance