Renowned Nigerian author and award-winning writer, Chimamanda Adichie, has emphasized the importance of promoting African stories to preserve the continent’s heritage, history, and development.
Adichie made this call during the launch of CANEX Book Factory and Prize for Publishing in Africa at the Creative Africa Nexus Summit on Thursday.
At the hybrid Intra African Trade Fair 2023 in Cairo, Egypt, Adichie underscored the significance of stories in shaping the essence of a people and their worldview, impacting psychology, education, politics, and more.
“We need more stories on this continent because we need to reclaim our histories. We need stories because stories are very much part of development,” Adichie asserted.
She addressed the historical sidelining and misrepresentation of Africa, stating, “Our continent has so often been sidelined and maligned, and while there has been some change, there is still altogether too much patronizing and too much pity directed at this continent.”
Adichie urged the importance of reclaiming histories to instill confidence in the people.
She emphasized that African children often learn about Greek mythology in elite boarding schools worldwide but may not be exposed to the rich mythology of their own cultures.
Adichie highlighted the psychological impact of storytelling on development, asserting, “Stories can take away dignity, and stories can also restore dignity. Stories shape politics and perception.”
The acclaimed author shared her experiences of readers expressing a transformed view of Nigeria after engaging with her novels.
She stressed the need for early exposure to African literature for children, as it enhances cognitive abilities and communication skills.
“We need more African literature because no matter what your discipline is, reading well-written imaginative writing will teach you how to think in creative and complex ways, and we need to start early with our children,” she remarked.
Adichie encouraged Africans to embrace storytelling proactively, stating, “Stories can give us the confidence to own our own aspirations and to become more confident in our storytelling.”
She also emphasized the role of stories in defining a nation, stating, “A nation is not geography. A nation is psychology. A continent is psychology. And so we need stories to know ourselves.”
