Oedipus, Ogbanje, and the Sons of Independence

Kortenaar, Neil ten

doi:10.2979/ral.2007.38.2.181

“…As Neil Kortenaar (2007) points out, the motific 'sons of independence' and oedipal discourses were initial theoretical and conceptual readings of postcolonialism related to the theme of childhood. Kambili actively problematises such genealogies by her earnest attempt at unpacking the father figure.…”

Section: The Father Figurementioning

confidence: 98%

Childhood(s) inPurple Hibiscus

Ouma

¹

2009

English Academy Review

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“…There is already a large body of literature on ogbanjes iii /abikus (See for example Aji and Ellsworth, 1992;Bryce, 2008;Hawley, 1995;Kortenaar, 2007;Douglas McCabe, 2002;Merlo, 1975;Mobolade, 1973;Ngugi, 2009;Okonkwo, 2004Okonkwo, , 2008Okri, 1992; F o r P e e r R e v i e w 3 Specht, 2013;Ouma, 2014;Smalligan, 2011;Vambe, 2012). Several African writers and poets have incorporated ogbanjes in their works and have inspired critical-reflexive reviews by academics (see Achebe, 1986;Morrison, 1987;Soyinka, 1994;cf.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The ogbanje who wanted to stay, The occult, belonging, family and therapy in Sierra Leone

Schneider

¹

2021

Preprint

0

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Although prominent in literature on West Africa and especially Nigeria, the phenomenon of ogbanjes in Sierra Leone is little discussed. By following the story of one ogbanje, this paper unravels their significance for social life, for local epistemologies and cosmologies in Freetown. The paper discusses personhood and morality, conceptions of femininity and motherhood as well as the search for culprits. It argues that ogbanjes have to be understood as avengers, who, in the name of society, penalize those deeds of women which meet with the disapproval of the community. Ogbanjes embody a breakdown of accepted social concepts as they are able to openly articulate criticism towards their parents and elders and thus serve as a way to negotiate the coming of age. The negotiations over appropriate treatment of ogbanjes highlight the interplay between different forms of belief. In addition, ogbanjes provide coping mechanisms and explanatory tools for untimely deaths.

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“…There is already a large body of literature on ogbanjes/abikus 3 (see, for example, Aji and Ellsworth, 1992; Bryce, 2008; Hawley, 1995; Kortenaar, 2007; McCabe, 2002; Merlo, 1975; Mobolade, 1973; Ngugi, 2009; Okonkwo, 2004, 2008; Okri, 1992; Specht, 2013; Ouma, 2014; Smalligan, 2011; Vambe, 2012). Several African writers and poets have incorporated ogbanjes in their works and have inspired critical-reflexive reviews by academics (see Achebe, 1986; Morrison, 1987; Soyinka, 1994; cf.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The ogbanje who wanted to stay: The occult, belonging, family and therapy in Sierra Leone

Schneider

¹

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although prominent in literature on West Africa and especially Nigeria, the phenomenon of ogbanjes in Sierra Leone is little discussed. By following the story of one ogbanje, this paper unravels their significance for social life, for local epistemologies and cosmologies in Freetown. The paper discusses personhood and morality, conceptions of femininity and motherhood as well as the search for culprits. It argues that ogbanjes have to be understood as avengers, who, in the name of society, penalize those deeds of women which meet with the disapproval of the community. Ogbanjes embody a breakdown of accepted social concepts as they are able to openly articulate criticism towards their parents and elders and thus serve as a way to negotiate the coming of age. The negotiations over appropriate treatment of ogbanjes highlight the interplay between different forms of belief. In addition, ogbanjes provide coping mechanisms and explanatory tools for untimely deaths.

show abstract

Oedipus, Ogbanje, and the Sons of Independence

Cited by 13 publications

References 23 publications

Childhood(s) inPurple Hibiscus

Childhood(s) inPurple Hibiscus

The ogbanje who wanted to stay, The occult, belonging, family and therapy in Sierra Leone

The ogbanje who wanted to stay: The occult, belonging, family and therapy in Sierra Leone

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