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{{Short description|none}}
{{Culture of Cameroon}}
{{Culture of Cameroon}}
[[Cameroon]]ian literature has concentrated on both European and African themes.
[[Cameroon]]ian literature includes literature in French, English and indigenous languages.


==Overview==
==Overview==


Colonial-era writers such as [[Louis-Marie Pouka]] and [[Sankie Maimo]] were educated by European missionary societies and advocated [[cultural assimilation|assimilation]] into European culture as the means to bring Cameroon into the modern world.<ref>[[#Mbaku|Mbaku]] 80–1</ref> After [[World War II]], writers such as [[Mongo Beti]] and [[Ferdinand Oyono]] analysed and criticised colonialism and rejected assimilation.<ref>Fitzpatrick, Mary (2002). "Cameroon." Lonely Planet West Africa, 5th ed. China: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd., p. 38</ref> <ref>[[#Mbaku|Mbaku]] 77, 83–4</ref> <ref>Volet, Jean-Marie (10 November 2006). "Cameroon Literature at a glance". Reading women writers and African literatures. Accessed 6 April 2007.</ref> Other older generation writers include [[Guillaume Oyônô Mbia]], [[Mbella Sonne Dipoko]],[[Francis Bebey]], [[René Philombé]] and [[kenjo Jumbam]].
Colonial-era writers such as [[Louis-Marie Pouka]] and [[Sankie Maimo]] were educated by European missionary societies and advocated [[cultural assimilation|assimilation]] into European culture as the means to bring Cameroon into the modern world.<ref>[[#Mbaku|Mbaku]] 80–1</ref> [[Jean-Louis Njemba Medu]] was a pioneering writer who published the science fiction novel ''[[Nnanga Kon]]'' in the [[Bulu language]] as early as 1932. After [[World War II]], writers such as [[Mongo Beti]] and [[Ferdinand Oyono]] analysed and criticised colonialism and rejected assimilation.<ref>Fitzpatrick, Mary (2002). "Cameroon." Lonely Planet West Africa, 5th ed. China: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd., p. 38</ref><ref>[[#Mbaku|Mbaku]] 77, 83–4</ref><ref>Volet, Jean-Marie (10 November 2006). "Cameroon Literature at a glance". Reading women writers and African literatures. Accessed 6 April 2007.</ref> Other older generation writers include [[Guillaume Oyônô Mbia]], [[Mbella Sonne Dipoko]], [[Francis Bebey]], [[René Philombé]] and [[kenjo Jumbam]].


Some critically acclaimed writers include [[Patrice Nganang]], [[Calixthe Beyala]], [[Bate Besong]], [[Gaston-Paul Effa]], [[Werewere Liking]], [[Babila Mutia]], [[John Nkemngong Nkengasong]], [[Bole Butake]], [[Leonora Miano]], [[Francis B Nyamnjoh]], [[Linus Asong]], <ref>https://library.osu.edu/literary-map-of-africa/countries/cameroon</ref> <ref>http://bakwamagazine.com/2012/03/07/commentary-anglophone-cameroon-literature-the-travails-of-a-minority-literature/</ref>
Some critically acclaimed writers include [[Marcien Towa]], [[Imbolo Mbue]], [[Patrice Nganang]], [[Calixthe Beyala]], [[Bate Besong]], [[Gaston-Paul Effa]], [[Werewere Liking]], [[Ba'bila Mutia]], [[John Nkemngong Nkengasong]], [[Bole Butake]], [[Leonora Miano]], [[Francis B Nyamnjoh]] and [[Linus T. Asong]].<ref>[https://library.osu.edu/literary-map-of-africa/countries/cameroon Library.osu.edu]</ref><ref>[http://bakwamagazine.com/2012/03/07/commentary-anglophone-cameroon-literature-the-travails-of-a-minority-literature/ Bakwamagazine.com]</ref>


In 2014, [[Imbolo Mbue]] signed a million dollar deal with [[Random House]] for her debut manuscript. The novel titled [[Behold the Dreamers]] follows the travails of a Cameroonian immigrant and a [[Lehman Brothers]] executive during the 2008 financial crisis.<ref>http://bakwamagazine.com/2015/11/26/wall-street-journal-unveils-the-face-behind-africas-most-anticipated-novel/</ref> <ref>http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/Frankfurt-Book-Fair/article/64277-frankfurt-book-fair-2014-in-pre-fair-deals-two-debuts-draw-seven-figures.html</ref>
In 2014, [[Imbolo Mbue]] signed a million dollar deal with [[Random House]] for her debut manuscript. The novel titled ''[[Behold the Dreamers]]'' follows the travails of a Cameroonian immigrant and a [[Lehman Brothers]] executive during the 2008 financial crisis.<ref>[http://bakwamagazine.com/2015/11/26/wall-street-journal-unveils-the-face-behind-africas-most-anticipated-novel/ Bakwamagazine.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/Frankfurt-Book-Fair/article/64277-frankfurt-book-fair-2014-in-pre-fair-deals-two-debuts-draw-seven-figures.html Publishers Weekly]</ref>

==Literary awards==
International and bilingual English-and-French literary prizes, [[Grand Prix of Literary Associations]] (GPLA), were launched in Cameroon in 2013,<ref>Source: [https://www.bellanaija.com/2017/03/grand-prix-of-literary-associations-2016-d-day-coming-closer/ Bellanaija.com]</ref> and are to date the main literary awards in Cameroon. They have already contributed to unveil or confirm many gifted authors, such as [[Eric Mendi]], twice winner in the Belles-Lettres Category,<ref>Source: [http://bamendaonline.net/blog/eric-mendi-twice-winner-of-the-grand-of-prix-of-literary-associations/ Bamendaonline]</ref> [[:fr:Charles Salé|Charles Salé]], [[Fiston Mwanza Mujila]],<ref>Source: [https://editions-metailie.com/prix/grands-prix-des-associations-litteraires-gpal-dans-la-categorie-belles-lettres/ Métailié.com]</ref> [[Felwine Sarr]],<ref>Source: [https://www.senenews.com/2017/03/15/felwine-sarr-et-eric-mendi-laureats-des-grands-prix-des-associations-litteraires-2016_184015.html Senenews.com]</ref> to name a few. The GPLA also pay tribute to deceased authors through the ''Grand prix de la mémoire'', which was awarded to late Cameroonian author [[Sankie Maimo]] in the last edition (GPLA 2016).<ref>Source: [http://bamendaonline.net/blog/gpla-2016-pays-tribute-to-sankie-maimo-and-other-contemporary-authors/ Bamendaonline]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Literature}}
{{Portal|Literature}}
* [[Grand Prix of Literary Associations]]
* [[List of Cameroonian writers]]
* [[List of Cameroonian writers]]
* [[Media of Cameroon]]


==External links==
==Footnotes==
⚫
{{Reflist}}


⚫
==References and further reading==
* Pierre Fandio, ''La littérature camerounaise dans le champ social : grandeurs, misères et défis'', l'Harmattan, Paris, Budapest, Kinshasa, 2006, 244 p.
* Pierre Fandio, ''Les lieux incertains du champ littéraire camerounais : la postcolonie à partir de la marge'', l'Harmattan, Paris, 2012, 273 p.
*Shadrack Ambanasom, ''Education of the Deprived: A Study of Four Cameroonian Playwrights''. Yaounde: Yaounde University Press, 2003.
*Shadrack Ambanasom, ''The Cameroon Novel of English Expression: An Introduction''. Bamenda; Agwecam, 2007.
*Hilarious Ambe, ''Change Aesthetics in Anglophone Cameroon Drama and Theatre''.Bayreuth African Studies 2007.
*Joyce B Ashuntantang, ''Landscaping Postcoloniality:The Dissemination of Cameroon Anglophone Literature''. Bamenda; Langaa RPCIG, 2009.
*Oscar C Labang, ''ImagiNation:Theorizing the Nation in Postcolonial Anglophone Cameroon Poetry''. Yaounde; Miraclaire Academic Publications, 2012.


==External links==

*[http://www.dibussi.com/2009/03/cameroon-literature-in-english-vibrant-but-invisible.html Cameroon Literature in English – Vibrant but Invisible]
⚫
==References==
*[http://www.dibussi.com/2012/05/an-overview-cameroon-prison-literature-.html An Overview of Cameroon Prison Literature from Albert Mukong to Titus Edzoa]
⚫
{{Reflist}}



{{Cameroon topics}}
{{Cameroon topics}}
{{African topic|| literature}}
{{African topic|| literature}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Cameroonian literature| ]]
[[Category:Cameroonian literature| ]]

{{Cameroon-stub}}
{{Africa-lit-stub}}

Latest revision as of 08:52, 20 February 2024

Part of a series on the
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Cameroonian literature includes literature in French, English and indigenous languages.

Overview

[edit]

Colonial-era writers such as Louis-Marie Pouka and Sankie Maimo were educated by European missionary societies and advocated assimilation into European culture as the means to bring Cameroon into the modern world.[1] Jean-Louis Njemba Medu was a pioneering writer who published the science fiction novel Nnanga Kon in the Bulu language as early as 1932. After World War II, writers such as Mongo Beti and Ferdinand Oyono analysed and criticised colonialism and rejected assimilation.[2][3][4] Other older generation writers include Guillaume Oyônô Mbia, Mbella Sonne Dipoko, Francis Bebey, René Philombé and kenjo Jumbam.

Some critically acclaimed writers include Marcien Towa, Imbolo Mbue, Patrice Nganang, Calixthe Beyala, Bate Besong, Gaston-Paul Effa, Werewere Liking, Ba'bila Mutia, John Nkemngong Nkengasong, Bole Butake, Leonora Miano, Francis B Nyamnjoh and Linus T. Asong.[5][6]

In 2014, Imbolo Mbue signed a million dollar deal with Random House for her debut manuscript. The novel titled Behold the Dreamers follows the travails of a Cameroonian immigrant and a Lehman Brothers executive during the 2008 financial crisis.[7][8]

Literary awards

[edit]

International and bilingual English-and-French literary prizes, Grand Prix of Literary Associations (GPLA), were launched in Cameroon in 2013,[9] and are to date the main literary awards in Cameroon. They have already contributed to unveil or confirm many gifted authors, such as Eric Mendi, twice winner in the Belles-Lettres Category,[10] Charles Salé, Fiston Mwanza Mujila,[11] Felwine Sarr,[12] to name a few. The GPLA also pay tribute to deceased authors through the Grand prix de la mémoire, which was awarded to late Cameroonian author Sankie Maimo in the last edition (GPLA 2016).[13]

See also

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ Mbaku 80–1
  2. ^ Fitzpatrick, Mary (2002). "Cameroon." Lonely Planet West Africa, 5th ed. China: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd., p. 38
  3. ^ Mbaku 77, 83–4
  4. ^ Volet, Jean-Marie (10 November 2006). "Cameroon Literature at a glance". Reading women writers and African literatures. Accessed 6 April 2007.
  5. ^ Library.osu.edu
  6. ^ Bakwamagazine.com
  7. ^ Bakwamagazine.com
  8. ^ Publishers Weekly
  9. ^ Source: Bellanaija.com
  10. ^ Source: Bamendaonline
  11. ^ Source: Métailié.com
  12. ^ Source: Senenews.com
  13. ^ Source: Bamendaonline

References and further reading

[edit]
  • Pierre Fandio, La littérature camerounaise dans le champ social : grandeurs, misères et défis, l'Harmattan, Paris, Budapest, Kinshasa, 2006, 244 p.
  • Pierre Fandio, Les lieux incertains du champ littéraire camerounais : la postcolonie à partir de la marge, l'Harmattan, Paris, 2012, 273 p.
  • Shadrack Ambanasom, Education of the Deprived: A Study of Four Cameroonian Playwrights. Yaounde: Yaounde University Press, 2003.
  • Shadrack Ambanasom, The Cameroon Novel of English Expression: An Introduction. Bamenda; Agwecam, 2007.
  • Hilarious Ambe, Change Aesthetics in Anglophone Cameroon Drama and Theatre.Bayreuth African Studies 2007.
  • Joyce B Ashuntantang, Landscaping Postcoloniality:The Dissemination of Cameroon Anglophone Literature. Bamenda; Langaa RPCIG, 2009.
  • Oscar C Labang, ImagiNation:Theorizing the Nation in Postcolonial Anglophone Cameroon Poetry. Yaounde; Miraclaire Academic Publications, 2012.
[edit]
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