Final answer:
Literature written in African languages gained popularity with the rise of African nationalism in the 20th century, bolstered by authors like Chinua Achebe and Camara Laye. Scholarship has revealed a deeper historical presence of African thought, seen in ancient writing systems and the evolution of indigenous African scripts. This expression of cultural identity is part of a broader historical narrative that intertwines with the continent’s complex social and political history.
Step-by-step explanation:
Development of African Literature
The growth of literature written in African languages can be traced back to various periods, with some ancient writing systems, such as Egyptian hieroglyphics, emerging as early as the fourth millennium BCE. However, the popularity of literature written in indigenous African languages saw a notable increase in the 20th century, particularly with the rise of African nationalism and the work of authors such as Chinua Achebe and Camara Laye.
These writers brought African narratives and philosophies to the forefront, showcasing the continent’s rich literary legacy. Amendments in the perception of African literature were also paralleled by the rediscovery and translation of historical texts and increased scholarship of indigenous philosophies and oral traditions.
Further research into ethnophilosophy suggests a rich tapestry of thought and literary expression across Africa, often not available or studied widely due to colonialism and the subsequent loss of historical records. Indigenous African scripts, analyzed in scholarly works, reveal an intellectual heritage with evidence of writings like the indigenous scripts of West Africa, which date back to early centuries, and even the 19th century with newer scripts being developed.
The influence of African slaves on language in the Americas continued until the Civil War, while free African Americans often became literate and integrated European customs into their lives. Literary expression in African languages, entwined with social and cultural identity, continues to emerge from a complex historical context marked by both internal developments and external influences.