Birthplace Revisited – a look at Humanity in Nnedi Okorafor

Abstract

As the ultimate birthplace of Humanity, Africa is fertile ground for writings and rewritings of human history. The tragedies and atrocities in its historical path add to the relevance of reflecting on humankind through Africa. Thus, AfroSciFi is playing a pivotal role in 21st century utopian and dystopian thinking. Nigeria in particular has always been at the forefront of African literature, with remarkable contributions including Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The second decade of the 21st century welcomed the work of Nigerian-American Nnedi Okorafor as a cosmo/afropolitan, afrofuturistic voice. All three share a highly politicized type of writing and a stern opposition to reductive, dogmatic readings of the world, and of Africa in particular. In fact, all three, in various ways, embrace a hybrid tradition of western(ized) education applied to African exceptionality and often seasoned by the bitter experience of the oppressed. Rejecting “the single story” and all stereotypes, whether friend or foe, is a constant concern in contemporary African fiction. When Nigeria comes to witness the literary work of young Nnedi Okorafor, the possibilities are almost limitless and bringing together African past and future is both feasible and challenging.