Abstract
African feminisms comprise the differing brands of equalist theories and efforts geared towards enhancing the condition of woman. However, the meaning and application of the word ‘feminism’ poses several problems for African women writers and critics many of whom distance themselves from the movement. Their indifference stems from the anti-men/anti-religion status accorded feminism in recent times. Thus, several women writers have sought to re-theorize feminism in a manner that fittingly captures their socio-cultural beliefs, leading to multiple feminisms in African literature. This study critically analyzes the mainstream theories of feminisms in Africa with a view to unravelling the contradictions inherent in the ongoing efforts at conceptualizing African feminisms. The paper further argues for workable ways of practicing African feminisms to serve practical benefits for African man and woman, and to also function as an appropriate tool for assessing works by literary writers in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.
Highlights
TO AFRICAN FEMINISMSAfrican feminisms encapsulate the differing brands of equalist theories and efforts geared towards enhancing the condition of the African woman
In presenting the theory of Africana Womanism as a viable alternative for Feminism, Womanism and African Feminism, Hudson-Weems contests African Feminism on two grounds: feminism, according to her, is not different from all other white establishments such as Communist Party and National Organization for Women (N.O.W.) which only legitimizes the interests of white people and perpetuates the subjugation of blacks in general
Even though the present researcher privileges the harmonization of efforts towards creating a practicable theory on African feminism, it is remarkable to note that women writers and critics in the continent have continued to make tremendous efforts in seeking ways of understanding and enhancing their conditions in Africa which is a stronghold of patriarchal tenets
Summary
African feminisms encapsulate the differing brands of equalist theories and efforts geared towards enhancing the condition of the African woman. The feminist movement has been marked by rebellion, beginning with the white woman’s rejection of domination by her male counterpart It is this mainstream feminism that Alice Walker revolts against, citing the white woman’s negligence of the intersection between racism and femaleness which yields a double oppression for Afro-American women. In substantiation of this view, Elaine Showalter argues that the black woman, in relation to her white counterpart, is «the Other Woman, the silenced partner» who must equip herself with a voice against «the sexism of black literary history» and against «the racism of feminist literary history» [214]. The rest of this article will be devoted to examining the various strands of feminisms in Africa, Nigeria, and their deficiencies as well as suggestions on ways-out
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