Swahili literature 3600-3-AF3-WLS1
The course presents a brief history of the Swahili literature and a description of classical and contemporary literary genres. It covers the following topics:
Traditional literature: genres and their role in Swahili culture
Oral folk literature (hadithi, vitendawili, mafumbo, methali, nyimbo)
Classical literature
epic poetry (e.g Utendi wa Tambuka, Al Inkishafi, Utenzi wa Fumo Liongo)
didactic literature (e.g. Utendi wa Mwana Kupona)
religious literature (e.g. Kishamia, Maulidi)
lyrics (e.g. mashairi, nyimbo)
Contemporary traditional poetry
genres (utenzi, shairi, utumbuizo etc.)
outstanding poets (e.g. Shaaban Robert, Pambo ya lugha, Masomo yenye adili, Abdilatif Abdalla, Utenzi wa maisha ya Adamu na Hawa)
Modern genres (shairi guni, K. Kahigi & M. Mulokozi, ngonjera, M. Mnyampala)
The beginnings of Swahili prose
utopian novel (Sh. Robert, Kusadikika, Adili na nduguze)
biography (Siti Binti Saad, Maisha yangu, Tippu Tip)
ethnographic novel (M. Mnyampala, Historia, mila na desturi za Wagogo wa Tanganyika)
detective novel (M. S. Abdulla Mzimu wa watu wa kale)
Contemporary novel and short stories
Contemporary drama
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
The student has basic knowledge of the written classical Swahili literature and oral folk literature as to their content as well as prominent authors and works. He/she knows typical literary genres and poetic forms; recognizes dialects specific to classical poetry; is capable of reading simple texts of the manuscripts written in the ajami Arabic script.
Assessment criteria
A written examination comprising a test and an essay referring to the material presented during lectures.
Bibliography
Bertoncini-Zúbková, E., Gromov, M., Khamis S., Wamitila, K. 2009. Outline of Swahili Literature. Leiden: Brill.
Andrzejewski, B.W, Piłaszewicz, S., Tyloch, W., (red.). 1985. Literatures in African Languages. Warszawa: Wiedza Powszechna.
Harries, L. 1962. Swahili Poetry. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Knappert, J. 1979. Four Centuries of Swahili Verse: A Literary History and Anthology. London: Heinemann.
Knappert, J. 1983. Epic Poetry in Swahili and other African Languages. Leiden: E. J. Brill.
Krzywicki J. 2002. Wprowadzenie do imaginarium literatury afrykańskiej Dialog, Warszawa.
Ohly, R. 1972. Literatura suahili. Warszawa: Wydawnictwa UW.
Ohly, R. 1981. Agressive prose. Dar es Salaam: Institute of Kiswahili Research.
Rzewuski, E. Azania zamani: Mity, legendy i tradycje ludów Afryki Wschodniej. Warszawa: Iskry.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: