This volume of essays covers all phases and geographical areas of African Literature, including lesser known areas such oral literature, literature written in African language and Lusophone writing. The more studied Francophone and Anglophone literatures are well presented, as are North Africa and the Caribbean. The newest developments in South African theater are described and commented. Two articles on African film are included.

Several writers receive special attention: Chinua Achebe, Maryse Conde, Wole Soyinka, Calizthe Beyala, Nugugi wa Thiong'o, Niyi Osundare and Hampate Ba. This volume also contains the keynote addresses by Achebe, Conde, Ngugi and Osundare. In addition there a re articles introducing a number of younger and newer writers such as Bandele Thomas, Joel Matlou, Marie Chauvet, J. J. Dominique, Patrick Chamoiseau and Caryl Phillips.

The 1998 conference held in Austin, Texas was the biggest conference ever held by the ALA, and this volume reflects the excitement at the conference.

ABOUT THE EDITORS
HAL WYLIE teaches Caribbean and African literatures at the University of Texas at Austin, was founding editor of the journal, Research in African Literatures, and a founding member of the African Literature Association.

CATEGORY
Literature, Literary Criticism/AFRICA