Yaounde, 15-17 April 2009
Co-organised by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Buea, the Department of African Literature of the University of Yaoundé I and the Research Group on African & Diaspora Consciousness (GRIAD) of the University of Buea.
In collaboration with the Réseau Discours d'Afrique & LASELDI (Laboratory), Université de Franche-Comté, France.
Background Information
By the turn of the 90s, Cameroon’s printing industry could already compare with that of some Western countries. Today, as a result of this development, the country is witnessing the booming of a print media which has been proving its worth since the 80s. Meanwhile, from the national capital city to divisional and provincial headquarters, a network of well-stocked libraries has developed, providing potential readers access to a wide variety of books.
With the percentage of school-attending children peaking at around 85% in some regions as well as a pretty balanced distribution of schools and higher education institutions over the national territory, the number of potential readers and writers has increased significantly; thus confirming Escarpit’s (1967) argument that in every country, there is a correlation of quantity between the population of book producers and that of book consumers. As a matter of general observation, a more conducive environment has been set up since 1990, with the enactment of new legal instruments which put an end to emergency laws that had governed social communication in Cameroon since the early 60s.
Yet, quite paradoxically, the local production and effective consumption of literary works have hardly ever been so low.
Furthermore, – second paradox – writers of the Diaspora continue to hold the lead in the quality and quantity of works published, as authoritative bodies (notably the Académie Française and the French language promotion agency, ADLF) continue to honour many of Mongo Beti’s compatriots with literary distinctions. In the shadow of this production, which is essentially in French, a local Anglophone literature has been forging ahead with relative success, even though – third paradox? – the English-speaking Diaspora seems to be caught in a deafening silence.
Objectives and Expectations
The general objective of the Conference is to revisit Cameroon literature from the 90s onwards. Specifically, it seeks to:
- Foster an understanding of the paradoxes in Cameroon Literature;
- Define the scope of observed shifts, their characteristics and, subsequently, the scope of the “new literature”;
- Question the concept of “national literature” in the face of a production which essentially comes from abroad and in foreign languages;
- Map out the impact of the common national history on past and present literary productions from the two sides of the Mungo River;
- Examine the relation between English and French creative writings;
And also to answer specific questions such as:
- How is this “new literature” perceived/received here and there?
- Who are the (new?) legitimising authorities?
- What is the role of women in the production, reception and spread of this “new literature”?
- What is the place of national languages in the “new” literature?
- What are the contributions of popular art, history and orality to this “new literature”?
Half-page abstracts, bearing the title of the paper and the name(s) and affiliation of the author(s), should be preferably submitted by 30 September 2008 at the latest to:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Or to:
- Prof. Nalova Lyonga, DVC/TP, University of Buea, Box. 63, Buea, Cameroon
- Prof. Marceline Nnomo, CT/Minésup, FALSH, Box 755, University of Yaoundé 1
- Prof. Pierre Fandio, GRIAD, Faculty of Arts, University of Buea, Box 63, Buea
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