This research aims to connect Africans from the continent to Africans dwelling in the diaspora through ripples of retention. This thesis examines the role of water and African water divinities as markers of cultural and spiritual retention in African communities abroad and on the continent of Africa. Drawing mostly from secondary sources for the investigation, this work revisits texts already documented to uncover the role of water in the survival and lived reality of Africans. The investigation starts by the Nile in Kemet (Egypt in antiquity) and travels through time and space. By beginning at the source of African civilization, this study solidifies the role of water in the ontology and cosmology of African people that is found in antiquity, in a number of ethnic groups along the west coast of Africa, and in the diaspora. Analysis of figures like Oshun, Yemaya, and Mami Wata reveals that external factors, one’s lived reality, and one’s social and physical environment is reflected in the characteristics and attributes of the water divinity abroad. For water spirits must reflect the African people; thus, the tremendous social and geographical changes African people undergo throughout the centuries can be noted as variations in a collective African culture. While this work is conducted in three chapters, future investigation is needed to explore the emancipatory features of water to Africans that are still burdened by the effects of colonialism, assimilation, imperialism, and slavery. Yet, this research in its present state adds to the collection of works in the field of Africana Studies and Africology by reestablishing the strong link among Africans from around the globe. / African American Studies

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of this dissertation is the examination of the relationship between space and identity in recent narratives of migration, in contemporary African literature. Migrant narratives suggest that there is a correlation between identity formation and the types of boundaries and borders migrants engage with in their various attempts to find new homes away from their old ones. Be it voluntary or involuntary, the process of migrating from a familial place transforms the individual who has to negotiate new social formations; and tensions often accrue from the confrontation between one’s culture and the culture of the receiving society. Return migration to the supposed country of origin is an equally important trajectory dealt with in African migrant literature. The reverse narrative stipulates similar tensions between one’s diasporic culture – the culture of the diasporic space – and the culture of the homeland. Thus, intra- and inter-continental migrations and diaspora is a bifurcated inquiry that examines both outward and return migrations. These movements reveal the ways in which Africans make sense of their Africanity and their place in the world. The concepts of “border”, “boundary” and “borderland” are useful to examine notions of difference and separation both within the nation-state and in relation to transnational, intra-African as well as inter-continental exchanges. I focus more fully on these notions in the texts that examine migrations within Africa, both outward and return movements. This study is not only interested in the physical features of borders, boundaries or borderlands, but also on their consequences for the processes of identity formation and translation, and how they can help to reveal the social and historical characteristics of diasporic formations. What undergirds much of the analysis is the assumption that the negotiation of belonging and space cannot be separated from the crossing or breaching of borders and boundaries; and that these negotiations entail attempts to enter the borderland, which is a zone of exchange, crisscrossing networks, dissolution of notions of singularity and exclusive identities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van hierdie proefskrif is ‘n ondersoek na die verhouding tussen ruimte en identiteit in onlangse migrasie-narratiewe in kontemporêre Afrika-literatuur. Migrasienarratiewe dui op ’n korrelasie tussen identiteitsvorming en die soorte skeidings en grense waarmee migrante gemoeid raak in hulle onderskeie pogings om nuwe tuistes weg van die oues te vind. Hetsy willekeurig of gedwonge, die migrasieproses weg van ’n familiale plek verander die individu wat nuwe sosiale formasies moet oorkom, en spanning neem dikwels toe weens die konfrontasie tussen die eie kultuur en dié van die ontvangersamelewing. Migrasie terug na die sogenaamde land van herkoms is net so ’n belangrike onderwerp in Afrika-migrasieliteratuur. Die terugkeernarratief stipuleer dat daar ooreenkomstige spanning heers tussen ’n persoon se diasporiese kultuur – die kultuur van die diaspora-ruimte – en die kultuur van die land van oorsprong. Die ondersoek na intra- en interkontinentale migrasies en diasporas is dus ’n tweeledige proses wat uitwaartse sowel as terugkerende migrasies beskou. Hierdie bewegings openbaar die ware maniere waarop Afrikane sin maak uit hulle Afrikaniteit en hulle plek in die wêreld. Die konsepte van “grens”, “grenslyn” en “grensgebied” is nuttig wanneer die begrippe van verskil en verwydering ondersoek word binne die nasiestaat asook in verhouding tot transnasionale, intra-Afrika en interkontinentale wisseling. Ek fokus meer volledig op hierdie begrippe in die tekste wat ondersoek instel na migrasie binne Afrika, beide uitwaartse en terugkerende bewegings. Hierdie studie gaan nie net oor die fisiese kenmerke van grense, grenslyne en grensgebiede nie, maar bestudeer ook die gevolge daarvan op die prosesse van identiteitsvorming en vertaling, en die manier waarop hulle kan help om die sosiale en historiese eienskappe van diasporiese formasies te openbaar. ’n Groot deel van die analise word ondersteun deur die aanname dat die onderhandeling tussen tuishoort en ruimte nie geskei kan word van die oorsteek of deurbreek van grense en grenslyne nie, en dat hierdie onderhandelinge lei tot pogings om die grensgebied te betree, waar die grensgebied gekenmerk word deur wisseling, kruising van netwerke en die verwording van begrippe soos sonderlingheid en eksklusiewe identiteite.

La Guadeloupe s’est construite avec la colonisation européenne à partir de la traite négrière, aux dépens des populations africaines, et de multiples vagues de travailleurs migrants (Indiens, Syriens, etc.). Certains auteurs conceptualisent les dynamiques identitaires et ethniques de ces populations soit par une construction identitaire mixte, la créolisation, en rupture avec « l’Ancien Monde » (Glissant, 1997 ; Bonniol, 2006, etc.), soit par une conception essentialiste, l’afrocentricité, en continuité avec l’Afrique, où l’aliénation des anciens empires coloniaux est dénoncée (Asante, 2007; Mazama, 1997). Comment les jeunes Guadeloupéens urbains d’aujourd’hui se représentent-ils leurs identités ? Participent-ils à ce débat idéologique ? Cette étude analyse treize entretiens semi-dirigés de jeunes d’une vingtaine d’années, résidant à Pointe-à-Pitre et ses périphéries urbaines et majoritairement issus de la culture hip-hop, ainsi qu’une série d’observations participantes réalisées dans les studios d’enregistrement de certains répondants (été 2014). À travers leurs discours, l’ethnicité guadeloupéenne est représentée par une vision pluriethnique et parfois mixte, à une vision d’ascendance africaine. Les représentations créoles ou afrocentriques sont rares. Certains jeunes mettent en avant leur africanité et d’autres s’en éloignent en s’identifiant à des ancêtres esclaves ou à une mixité ethnique. La culture hip-hop a également une place importante dans leurs représentations identitaires. Finalement, il est difficile de faire ressortir une tendance générale dans leurs discours, tant leurs dynamiques identitaires sont variées. Ce mémoire démontre l’intérêt de mettre en valeur la diversité des représentations identitaires et l’importance de considérer les discours identitaires individuels plutôt que ceux collectifs présents notamment dans la créolisation ou l’afrocentricité. / Guadeloupe was built around the slave trade of African people, European colonization, and multiple waves of migrant workers (Indians, Syrians, etc.). Some scholars conceptualize the ethnicities and identities of these populations as mixed and “new”; Creolization, where a link to the "Old World" is no longer relevant (Glissant, 1997: Bonniol 2006, etc.). Others see an essentialist notion of African identity, Afrocentricity, while old colonial empires’ cultural alienations are denounced (Asante, 2007: Mazama, 1997). How do young urban Guadeloupeans represent their own identities today ? Do they participate in this ideological debate through their identifications? This thesis is based on thirteen semi-structured interviews of youths in their twenties living in Pointe-à-Pitre and peripheral urban areas who mainly associate themselves with hip-hop culture, and a series of participant observations made in the recording studios of the project participants (summer 2014). Based on this research, I have concluded that Guadeloupe's collective identity can be represented as multiethnic, sometime comprised of a notion of mixed ethnicity, and often of African ancestry. However, representation of creole or afrocentric is rare. Moreover, some young people put forward their africanity, while others identify themselves with slave ancestors or mixed ethnicity. Hip-hop culture is also an important part of their identity representations. It is difficult to point out speech patterns because their identity dynamics are diversified. This study highlights the diversity of identity representations and the importance of considering individual identity dynamics rather than collective identity discourses present in particular in Creolisation or Afrocentricity

O presente estudo analisa, numa perspectiva comparativa, as narrativas Ponciá Vicêncio, de Conceição Evaristo e Um rio chamado tempo, uma casa chamada terra de Mia Couto( António Emílio Leite Couto). A hipótese principal da pesquisa é a de que nos textos, cada qual ao seu modo, e compreendidos na esteira das produções culturais da diáspora negra, a morte e ancestralidade, motivos de nossas análises, figuram como temas emergentes de um contexto de ação transnacional da diáspora negra de tal modo que evidenciam as relações conflituosas e encenam os desejos utópicos dos racialmente sujeitados pela modernidade que voluntariamente adulteram, inclusive, os modos de representação literários. Para que se tornasse possível a realização do estudo contamos com os subsídios dos seguintes autores: Stuart Hall, Paul Gilroy, e Èdouard Glissant. / The present study analyzed, in a comparative perspective, the narratives Ponciá Vicêncio, from Conceição Evaristo and A river called time, a house called earth from Mia Couto (António Emílio Leite Couto). The research main hypothesis is that inside the texts, each one in your own way, and understood in the course of cultural productions from black diaspora, the death and ancestry, the reason of ours analyses, figure as emergent themes from a context of transnational action due black diaspora, in such way of making evident conflicting relationships and showing the utopian desires from modernity racially subjected that spontaneously, falsify, included, the literary representation ways. In order to realize the task the possibility of this study we count on the following authors assistance: Stuart Hall, Paul Gylroy, e Èdourd Glissant.

O presente estudo analisa, numa perspectiva comparativa, as narrativas Ponciá Vicêncio, de Conceição Evaristo e Um rio chamado tempo, uma casa chamada terra de Mia Couto( António Emílio Leite Couto). A hipótese principal da pesquisa é a de que nos textos, cada qual ao seu modo, e compreendidos na esteira das produções culturais da diáspora negra, a morte e ancestralidade, motivos de nossas análises, figuram como temas emergentes de um contexto de ação transnacional da diáspora negra de tal modo que evidenciam as relações conflituosas e encenam os desejos utópicos dos racialmente sujeitados pela modernidade que voluntariamente adulteram, inclusive, os modos de representação literários. Para que se tornasse possível a realização do estudo contamos com os subsídios dos seguintes autores: Stuart Hall, Paul Gilroy, e Èdouard Glissant. / The present study analyzed, in a comparative perspective, the narratives Ponciá Vicêncio, from Conceição Evaristo and A river called time, a house called earth from Mia Couto (António Emílio Leite Couto). The research main hypothesis is that inside the texts, each one in your own way, and understood in the course of cultural productions from black diaspora, the death and ancestry, the reason of ours analyses, figure as emergent themes from a context of transnational action due black diaspora, in such way of making evident conflicting relationships and showing the utopian desires from modernity racially subjected that spontaneously, falsify, included, the literary representation ways. In order to realize the task the possibility of this study we count on the following authors assistance: Stuart Hall, Paul Gylroy, e Èdourd Glissant.

Orientador: Humberto Perinelli Neto / Resumo: Trata-se de pesquisa destinada a compreender a representação do negro contida no material didático oficial adotado na rede estadual de ensino de São Paulo, mais especificamente nos Anos Finais do Ensino Fundamental (7º e 8º anos). A pesquisa é qualitativa, pois a partir da descrição, será aprofundada a descrição e a interpretação do material analisado, à medida que a complexidade também se acentuará, pois o objeto está relacionado ao social, ao mundo macro. Para tanto, são empregados como materiais as “Situações de Aprendizagem” contidas nos Cadernos do 7º e 8° anos da rede estadual de ensino paulista (“Projeto São Faz Escola”). O aporte teórico da pesquisa envolve estudos da imagem, combinados com a Análise de Conteúdo dos textos, segundo autores que se dedicaram ao estudo do negro no Brasil e de acordo com a perspectiva do paradigma indiciário. Conclui-se que há um abismo entre o conteúdo do Caderno do Aluno (e também do Professor) e as recomendações presentes na legislação dedicada às Africanidades. É claro o limite deste material se observarmos os direcionamentos dos documentos oficiais da Educação para Relações Étnico-Raciais. / Abstract: This research is about understanding black representation contained in the teaching material from the São Paulo State public educational system, specifically in the last two years of teaching cycle (i.e. 7th and 8th years). It is a qualitative research where we will deeply describe and interpret the material, which is a complex subject since it is related to the practical aspects of society and can lead to different thoughts and conclusions. To do so, we will use the section "Situações de Aprendizagem" from the 7th and 8th years teaching material from the São Paulo state educational system (“Projeto São Faz Escola”). The theoretical back ground is related to the study of image combined with content analysis, follow in go ther authors who studied black people in Brazilan dunder the perspective of the indicial paradigm. It is concluded that there is a gulf between the contents of the student notebook (and also the teacher) and the recommendations in the legislation dedicated to africanities. The boundary of this material is clear if we look at the guidelines of the official documents of Education for Ethnic-Racial Relations. / Resumen: Esta es una investigación dirigida a comprender la representación de las personas negras contenida en el material de enseñanza oficial adoptado en el sistema escolar estatal de São Paulo, más específicamente en los últimos años de la escuela primaria (7º y 8º años). La investigación es cualitativa, porque a partir de la descripción se profundizará la descripción e interpretación del material analizado, ya que la complejidad también se acentuará, porque el objeto está relacionado con lo social, con el mundo macro. Con este fin, las "Situaciones de aprendizaje" contenidas en los cuadernos de séptimo y octavo grado del sistema escolar estatal de São Paulo ("Proyecto São Faz Escola") se utilizan como materiales. El soporte teórico de la investigación involucra estudios de imagen, combinados con el Análisis de Contenido de los textos, según autores que se dedicaron al estudio de los negros en Brasil y de acuerdo con la perspectiva del paradigma evidencial. Se concluye que existe un abismo entre el contenido del Cuaderno del estudiante (y también el del Maestro) y las recomendaciones de la legislación dedicada a las africanidades. El límite de este material es claro si miramos las pautas de los documentos oficiales de Educación para las Relaciones Étnico-Raciales. / Mestre

This thesis examines the political thought of Achille Mbembe. It deploys decolonial critical analysis to unmask traces of coloniality with regard to the African existential conditions foregrounded in the conception of the African subject, its subjection, and subjectivity. The theoretical foundation of this thesis is decolonial epistemic perspective—the epistemic intervention that serves as a lens to understand Mbembe’s work and—that is the theoretical foundation outside the Euro-North American “mainstream” canon foregrounded in coloniality. Decolonial epistemic perspective in this thesis is deployed to expose three kinds of coloniality in Mbembe’s work, namely: coloniality of power, coloniality of knowledge and coloniality of being. The thrust of this thesis is that Mbembe’s political thought is inadequate for the understanding of the African existential condition in that it does not fully take coloniality into account. In order to acknowledge the existence of coloniality through decolonial critical analysis, the political thought of Mbembe is examined in relation to modes of self-writing, power in the postcolony, the politics of violence in Africa, Frantz Fanon’s political thought, and the idea of South Africa as major themes undertaken in this thesis. Decolonial critical analysis deals with foundational questions that have relevance to the existential condition of the African subject and the manner in which such an existential crisis can be brought to an end. These foundational questions confront issues like—who is speaking or writing, from where, for whom and why? This thesis reveals that Mbembe is writing and thinking Africa from outside the problematic ontology of the African subject and, as such, Mbembe precludes any form of African subjectivity that challenges the Euro-North American canon. This then reveals that Mbembe is not critical of coloniality and this has the implications in that subjection is left on the wayside and not accounted for. Having explored the genealogy, trajectory and horisons of decolonial critical analysis to understand the political thought of Mbembe, this thesis highlights that it is essential to take a detour through the shifting of the geography of reason. Herein lies the originality of this thesis, and it is here that Africa is thought from within a standpoint of decolonial critical analysis and not Africa that is thought from the Euro-North American canon. Therefore, the shifting of the geography of reason is necessary for the authorisation of the subjectivity of the African subject in order to combat subjection. / Political Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Politics)

This thesis examines the political thought of Achille Mbembe. It deploys decolonial critical analysis to unmask traces of coloniality with regard to the African existential conditions foregrounded in the conception of the African subject, its subjection, and subjectivity. The theoretical foundation of this thesis is decolonial epistemic perspective—the epistemic intervention that serves as a lens to understand Mbembe’s work and—that is the theoretical foundation outside the Euro-North American “mainstream” canon foregrounded in coloniality. Decolonial epistemic perspective in this thesis is deployed to expose three kinds of coloniality in Mbembe’s work, namely: coloniality of power, coloniality of knowledge and coloniality of being. The thrust of this thesis is that Mbembe’s political thought is inadequate for the understanding of the African existential condition in that it does not fully take coloniality into account. In order to acknowledge the existence of coloniality through decolonial critical analysis, the political thought of Mbembe is examined in relation to modes of self-writing, power in the postcolony, the politics of violence in Africa, Frantz Fanon’s political thought, and the idea of South Africa as major themes undertaken in this thesis. Decolonial critical analysis deals with foundational questions that have relevance to the existential condition of the African subject and the manner in which such an existential crisis can be brought to an end. These foundational questions confront issues like—who is speaking or writing, from where, for whom and why? This thesis reveals that Mbembe is writing and thinking Africa from outside the problematic ontology of the African subject and, as such, Mbembe precludes any form of African subjectivity that challenges the Euro-North American canon. This then reveals that Mbembe is not critical of coloniality and this has the implications in that subjection is left on the wayside and not accounted for. Having explored the genealogy, trajectory and horisons of decolonial critical analysis to understand the political thought of Mbembe, this thesis highlights that it is essential to take a detour through the shifting of the geography of reason. Herein lies the originality of this thesis, and it is here that Africa is thought from within a standpoint of decolonial critical analysis and not Africa that is thought from the Euro-North American canon. Therefore, the shifting of the geography of reason is necessary for the authorisation of the subjectivity of the African subject in order to combat subjection. / Political Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Politics)