The Cynque Syndrome: Tracing the Germs of a Hereditary Disease in Armah’s Osiris Rising

Abstract

The following article discusses the attitude of one of Armah’s major characters in Osiris Rising: Ras Jomo Cynque. It seeks to uncover how an appeal to a glorious African past can divert present generations in Africa from understanding their history, facing their present and building their future. Using the concepts of romantic Gloriana and romantic primitivism from Ali Mazrui and Fanon’s analysis of mental alienation, it investigates the rationale behind Cynque’s conduct and his determination to lead a life reminiscent of African kingdoms into a modern Africa after he decides to leave America, where his life was strained by racism and disappointment, and to establish himself in Africa, in the fictitious state of Hapa. Cynque’s attitude, as that of Seth Spencer, another character working for the repressive machine of the Hapa regime, is at odds from the dedication and commitment of characters such as Ast, an American from African descent, who returns to the continent in order to help into its rebuilding under the efforts of the Manda group led by the revolutionary Asar.