Navigating the Labyrinth of Otherness: A Postcolonial Intervention and Identity Formation in Hailu’s Novel, The Conscript

Abstract

This article examines the intricate interplay of Otherness and identity in Hailu’s novel, The Conscript, focusing on the relationships among various colonized cultural groups and the internal struggles of the protagonist, Tuquabo. Through a postcolonial lens, the study reveals how Otherness manifests within the black community in Port-Sudan, as Ethiopians and Eritreans perceive the Sudanese as inferior, while the Sudanese view the Askaris as slaves. The analysis also explores the complexities of self and ‘Other’ within the conscripted Askaris’ experiences as they journey from Eritrea to Libya, encountering different cultures, landscapes, and religious beliefs. Furthermore, the article investigates the role of external factors such as colonization, climate, and cultural differences in shaping perceptions of self and ‘Other’. Drawing on Homi Bhabha’s concept of identity as a constructed image, the study highlights the transformations and evolving understandings of self and ‘Other’ among the conscripted Askaris. This exploration of Otherness and identity in The Conscript deepens our understanding of the impacts of colonialism, the fluid nature of identity, and the need for empathy in bridging divides between self and ‘Other’.