An Exploration Of Afropolitanism In Taiye Selasi’s Ghana Must Go And Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah

ABSTRACT

This study is an exploration of the representation of Afropolitanism in Taiye Selasi’s debut novel Ghana must go (2013), and Chimamanda Adichie’s novel Americanah (2013). The purpose of the study was to explore Afropolitanism using Selasi’s (2005) essay Who is an Afropolitan? as a benchmark. Selasi blends the words Africa and cosmopolitan in her essay, Who is an Afropolitan? which discusses the fashion, dance style, and nationality of the Afropolitan, but not themes in literature. She coined the term because she was never satisfied with the answers she gave when she was questioned about her identity. In the exploration of Afropolitanism in the two novels, the researcher used the content analysis method. The study used the diaspora and transnationalism theory which addresses the concerns of people that have moved from their home countries in search of self-development through work or studies as well as the hybridity as creolisation theory which addresses the concerns of people born in Europe or the West to purely African ancestors or one of the parents are of a different race. The study revealed the following themes that pertain to Afropolitanism in Ghana must go (2013) and Americanah (2013): cultural hybridity, careers, identity formation and an African bond. The theme of self-expression was explored only in Americanah (2013). For example, in Ghana must go (2013) the twin boy struggles with his identity because of his Scottish heritage which gives him a skin complexion that is neither black nor white and he does not know what nationality to consider himself. In Americanah (2013) the main character’s cultural hybridity is highlighted when she finds herself missing America while at the same time loving being in Nigeria. The study concluded that Afropolitanism does not only relate to fashion, dance style and art, but its exploration is also relevant in literature. This study

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contributes to knowledge of the world as a global village, but more specifically the international integration of cultures as expressed in literature, not only in the African diaspora, but in Africa as well.