Francophone Cultures I

The course aims to investigate the polyhedric vision of Africa by Alain Mabanckou, professor of literature, essayist, poet, novelist and author of a documentary film, signer of the Manifeste des 44, one of the most mediatic voices of the Francophonie, famous for having refused Macron's invitation to join the work on the Francophonie in 2018. In order to better understand his conception of the complex African world, we will start with some historical data related to colonisation and decolonisation so that it will be possible to discuss the cultural influence of the European and, specifically, French model in the difficult process of identity definition that affects the younger generations. Passages from Bleu-Blanc-Rouge will be read in which emerges the dichotomy between African sociability and the Parisian model of reference. We will then analyse passages from Huit leçons sur l'Afrique, to highlight the ways of cultural emancipation from the colonial heritage, the burden of African responsibility in the face of History and the inevitable political commitment in the field of non-fiction-literature. We will also read passages from Le sanglot de l'Homme noir, in which Mabanckou proposes a vision of Africa beyond its national borders to better redefine the concept of African identity and nationality. The course will be concluded with a reading of the author's latest novel Le commerce des allongés: Mabanckou takes up the imaginary linked to traditional oral tales and thus restoresvery important cultural features for understanding the African worldview (witchcraft, animist rituals, life after death). He highlights above all factors of strong crisis in today's African societies in order to carry out an open denunciation of the abuse of power by political leaders.