Issue
2 - Emergence: The Indelible Face of Artistic Creativity in the Struggle for Self-Determination in Africa
Corresponding Author(s) : Penina Mlama
Africa Development,
Vol. 42 No. 4 (2017): Africa Development: Special Issue on: ‘Emergence’ on Screen and on Stage
Abstract
Emergence has characterized artistic creativity throughout history due to art’s proven efficacy as a vehicle for expression and self-determination. This article critically examines emergence in artistic creativity in Africa. The discussion starts with emergence and artistic creativity under feudal systems where despite the attempt to domesticate art by kings through hiring court artists, the common citizenry vented their anger or dissatisfaction against the social injustices meted out to them by the feudal systems. This is followed by a critical discussion of the use of emergence in artistic creativity to respond to slavery and colonialism, as well as the brutal systems that shook the socio-economic foundations of African societies following independence. Emergence in artistic creativity prevailed beyond colonialism as Africans became victims of exploitation by the nationalist leaders who took over leadership in post-independent Africa. A key question addressed is whether Africa’s bondage to capitalism signals the end of emergence in artistic creativity, the age long indelible face of self-determination.
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- Askew, K. M., 2002, Performing the Nation: Swahili Music and Cultural Politics in Tanzania, Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Boal, A., 2000, The Theater of the Oppressed, London: Pluto Press.
- Boon, R., & Plastow, J. Eds. 2004, Theatre and Empowerment: Community Drama on the World Stage, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Banham Ed., 1994, A History of Theatre in Africa, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, (pp. 247-264).
- Cabral, A., 1980, Unity and Struggle. London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd. Eyoh, H. N., (Ed.), 2000, The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre, Africa, London & New York: Routledge, (pp. 17-29).
- Epskamp, K., 2006, Theatre for Development: An Introduction to Context, Applications and Training, London & New York: Zed Books.
- Etherton, M., 1982, The Development of African Drama, Essex: The Anchor Press Ltd. Eyoh, H. N., 1984, Hammocks to Bridges: An Experience in Theatre for Development. Yaounde: Yaounde University Research Publication.
- Ibbot, R., 2014, Ujamaa, The Hidden Story of Tanzania’s Socialist Villages, London: Crossroads Books.
- Kerr, D., 1995, African Popular Theatre: From Pre-Colonial Times to the Present Day, London: James Currey Ltd.
- Lange, S., 2002, “Managing Modernity, Gender, State and Nation in the Popular Drama of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania”, Ph.D. diss., University of Bergen.
- Lihamba, A., 1985, Politics and Theatre After the Arusha Declaration, 1967-1984. PhD Thesis: University of Leeds.
- Lihamba, A., 2004, “Tanzania”, In M. Banham (Ed.), A History of Theatre in Africa, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (pp. 233-246).
- Materego, G. R., 2008, Sanaa kwa Maendeleo: Stadi, Mbinu na Mazoezi, Moshi: Viva Productions.
- Maxine Haven, 2010, Privatizing Creativity: The Ruse of Creative Capitalism, http://artthreat.net, retrieved: 10 October 2010.
- Mlama, P. O., 1985, Tanzania’s Cultural Policy and Its Implications for the Contribution of the Arts to Socialist Development, Utafiti Vol. 7 (1), 9-19.
- Mlama, P., 1991, Culture and Development: The Popular Theatre Approach to Africa, Uppsala: Scandnavian Institute of African Studies.
- Morton, E., 2014, “The controversial Senegalese Monument built by North Korean Propaganda Artists”, Atlas Obscura, New York: Atlas Obscura.
- Mulokozi, M., 2002, The African Epic Controversy: Historical, Philosophical and Aesthetic Perspectives on Epic Poetry and Performance, Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota Publishers.
- Korean Propaganda Artists, http//www.Slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura Ranger, T., 1975, Dance and Society in Eastern Africa 1890-1970, Nairobi: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd.
- Ricard, A., 2000, Ebrahim Hussein: Swahili Theatre and Individualism, Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota Publication.
- Riccio, T., 2001, “Tanzanian Theatre: From Marx to Marketplace”, The Drama Review 45,1 (T169) , 128-152.
- Rodney, W., 1972, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Dar es Salaam: Tanzania Publishing House.
- Semzaba, E., 1983, Trends in Modern Theatre Movement, MA Thesis: University of Dar es Salaam.
- Sherrif, A., et al., 2016, Transition from Slavery in Zanzibar and Mauritius, Dakar: CODESRIA.
- Shule,V., 2010, “Beyond Socialism: Tanzanian Theatre, Neoliberalism and Foreign Aid Complexity”, Phd Thesis: Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz.
- Nyerere Resource Center, 2015, “Kunakucha Kulichele na Kulala Kukomele”, Kavazi Occassional Papers, Dar es Salaam.
- Songoyi, E., 1990, The Artist and the State in Tanzania: A Study of Two Singers; Kalikali and Mwinamila, MA (Literature) Thesis: University of Dar es Salaam.
- Real life Histories – http://www.realhistories.org.uk Wedgwood Manufactory, 1787, The Anti-slavery Medallion, Staffordshire.
References
Askew, K. M., 2002, Performing the Nation: Swahili Music and Cultural Politics in Tanzania, Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Boal, A., 2000, The Theater of the Oppressed, London: Pluto Press.
Boon, R., & Plastow, J. Eds. 2004, Theatre and Empowerment: Community Drama on the World Stage, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Banham Ed., 1994, A History of Theatre in Africa, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, (pp. 247-264).
Cabral, A., 1980, Unity and Struggle. London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd. Eyoh, H. N., (Ed.), 2000, The World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre, Africa, London & New York: Routledge, (pp. 17-29).
Epskamp, K., 2006, Theatre for Development: An Introduction to Context, Applications and Training, London & New York: Zed Books.
Etherton, M., 1982, The Development of African Drama, Essex: The Anchor Press Ltd. Eyoh, H. N., 1984, Hammocks to Bridges: An Experience in Theatre for Development. Yaounde: Yaounde University Research Publication.
Ibbot, R., 2014, Ujamaa, The Hidden Story of Tanzania’s Socialist Villages, London: Crossroads Books.
Kerr, D., 1995, African Popular Theatre: From Pre-Colonial Times to the Present Day, London: James Currey Ltd.
Lange, S., 2002, “Managing Modernity, Gender, State and Nation in the Popular Drama of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania”, Ph.D. diss., University of Bergen.
Lihamba, A., 1985, Politics and Theatre After the Arusha Declaration, 1967-1984. PhD Thesis: University of Leeds.
Lihamba, A., 2004, “Tanzania”, In M. Banham (Ed.), A History of Theatre in Africa, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (pp. 233-246).
Materego, G. R., 2008, Sanaa kwa Maendeleo: Stadi, Mbinu na Mazoezi, Moshi: Viva Productions.
Maxine Haven, 2010, Privatizing Creativity: The Ruse of Creative Capitalism, http://artthreat.net, retrieved: 10 October 2010.
Mlama, P. O., 1985, Tanzania’s Cultural Policy and Its Implications for the Contribution of the Arts to Socialist Development, Utafiti Vol. 7 (1), 9-19.
Mlama, P., 1991, Culture and Development: The Popular Theatre Approach to Africa, Uppsala: Scandnavian Institute of African Studies.
Morton, E., 2014, “The controversial Senegalese Monument built by North Korean Propaganda Artists”, Atlas Obscura, New York: Atlas Obscura.
Mulokozi, M., 2002, The African Epic Controversy: Historical, Philosophical and Aesthetic Perspectives on Epic Poetry and Performance, Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota Publishers.
Korean Propaganda Artists, http//www.Slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura Ranger, T., 1975, Dance and Society in Eastern Africa 1890-1970, Nairobi: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd.
Ricard, A., 2000, Ebrahim Hussein: Swahili Theatre and Individualism, Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota Publication.
Riccio, T., 2001, “Tanzanian Theatre: From Marx to Marketplace”, The Drama Review 45,1 (T169) , 128-152.
Rodney, W., 1972, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Dar es Salaam: Tanzania Publishing House.
Semzaba, E., 1983, Trends in Modern Theatre Movement, MA Thesis: University of Dar es Salaam.
Sherrif, A., et al., 2016, Transition from Slavery in Zanzibar and Mauritius, Dakar: CODESRIA.
Shule,V., 2010, “Beyond Socialism: Tanzanian Theatre, Neoliberalism and Foreign Aid Complexity”, Phd Thesis: Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz.
Nyerere Resource Center, 2015, “Kunakucha Kulichele na Kulala Kukomele”, Kavazi Occassional Papers, Dar es Salaam.
Songoyi, E., 1990, The Artist and the State in Tanzania: A Study of Two Singers; Kalikali and Mwinamila, MA (Literature) Thesis: University of Dar es Salaam.
Real life Histories – http://www.realhistories.org.uk Wedgwood Manufactory, 1787, The Anti-slavery Medallion, Staffordshire.