African literature, literary works of the African continent.

African literature consists of a body of

work in different languages and various genres, ranging from oral literature to literature written in
colonial languages (French, Portuguese, and English). It preserves the rich culture and traditions of the
African nations. African literature is defined as literary works created by authors living in countries on
the African continent, mainly lives in Sahara. For Africans, literature is art. It is full of beauty, untold
mysteries and improve the relation between communities.

The most notable literary selections are those that capture the life and struggle of the African
people. There have been significant struggles that could have been left untouched, but writers choose to
face courageous task of answering the call of pen, and begin the process of social healing though
literature. Perhaps, it is the brilliant characteristics of African literature that enables it to shine and fulfill
one universal function of literature.

The literary tradition of Africa became richer than ever as it gained artistic and sophisticated
expression in different languages. Traditional languages became vehicles of cultural thoughts. Poetry,
drama, novel and short story flourished as the literary genres. The people’s struggle to cope with or
oppose the changing atmosphere of their homelands was dramatically recorder in what is known as
African literature.

Literature represents the breadth and depth of universal experiences of man. The texts for the
study of African literature shed light on controversial issues such as racial discrimination, apartheid,
political conflicts, civil wars, feminism and gender sensitivity, and human right issues. These have given
the selections the flavor of relevance and universality, which are outstanding themes of a meaningful
literary study.