Literature of Chad
Encyclopedia
Chadian literature has suffered greatly from the turmoil which has engulfed the country
, economical
and political
. As with many cultures, literature in Chad began with folk tales and legend
s. While French
is the dominant language, Arabic
is also used by some Chadian writers. Chadian literature is more prevalent in France
than in Chad itself, due to market demand and the repressive culture present in Chad.
Chad's only literary critic, Ahmat Taboye
, wrote Anthologie de la littérature tchadienne in 2003 to spread knowledge of Chadian literature. Though there are not very many well-known Chadian writers, there are a few, including Joseph Brahim Seïd
, Baba Moustapha
, Antoine Bangui
and Koulsy Lamko
.
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
, economical
Economy of Chad
Landlocked Chads economic development suffers from its geographic remoteness, drought, lack of infrastructure, and political turmoil. About 85% of the population depends on agriculture, including the herding of livestock. Of Africa's Francophone countries, Chad benefited least from the 50%...
and political
Politics of Chad
Politics of Chad takes place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Chad is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament...
. As with many cultures, literature in Chad began with folk tales and legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
s. While French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
is the dominant language, Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
is also used by some Chadian writers. Chadian literature is more prevalent in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
than in Chad itself, due to market demand and the repressive culture present in Chad.
Chad's only literary critic, Ahmat Taboye
Ahmat Taboye
Ahmat Taboye is a literary critic from Chad. As head of the Department of Letters at the University of N'Djamena, he published Anthologie de la littérature tchadienne in 2003, which covers 40 years of Chadian literature. In May 2007, the Ministry of Cultural and Artistic Development named him a...
, wrote Anthologie de la littérature tchadienne in 2003 to spread knowledge of Chadian literature. Though there are not very many well-known Chadian writers, there are a few, including Joseph Brahim Seïd
Joseph Brahim Seid
Joseph Brahim Seid was a Chadian writer and politician. He served as Minister of Justice from 1966 to 1975. As a writer he is known for the works Au Tchad sous les étoiles and Un enfant du Tchad , based on his own life.-References:* http://www.cp-pc.ca/english/chad/arts.html*...
, Baba Moustapha
Baba Moustapha
Mahamat "Baba" Moustapha was a Chadian playwright writing in French. His plays include Le Maitre des Djinns, Le Souffle de l'Harmattan and Makarie aux Épines. His posthumously published play Commandant Chaka , a denunciation of military dictatorships, is considered to be his finest work...
, Antoine Bangui
Antoine Bangui
Antoine Bangui-Rombaye is a Chadian political figure and author. Between 1962 and 1972, Bangui was a member of the cabinet, including as foreign minister. However, he fell out of the favor of with President François Tombalbaye and was imprisoned from 1972 to 1975. He released his account of his...
and Koulsy Lamko
Koulsy Lamko
Koulsy Lamko is a Chadian-born playwright, poet, novelist and university lecturer. Born in Dadouar, Lamko left his country for Burkina Faso in 1979 due to the beginning of the civil war. There, he became acquainted with Thomas Sankara and involved with the Institute of Black Peoples in Ouagadougou...
.