Analysis Of Kamau Brathwaite And The Gift Of Ancestral Memory

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Kamau Brathwaite and the Gift of Ancestral Memory Philosopher, Edmund Burke once said, “… People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors” (www.brainyquote.com). In regards to Caribbean writers, one writer who it can be said is apt in the intricacies and also perpetuation of African ancestralism is Kamau Brathwaite. Kofi Anyidoho, presently a literature professor at the University of Ghana, in his article “Kamau Brathwaite and the Gift of Ancestral Memory” highlights in great details how Brathwaite’s looking back to the motherland greatly influences his work. In making his points Anyidoho uses inter-textual evidence and also views of persons with specialty in the same area. Structurally, the article is divided in three sections simplifying and zeroing on specific aspects that Anyidoho wants to highlight with great success. Additionally, his diction is indicative of a high academic standard and also of knowledge of African language and culture hence, in the end, one is forced to agree with him that the works of Brathwaite is heavily influenced by his time spent throughout the motherland and also areas of the Caribbean. In a nutshell, one can say that the article is like an explanatory essay in …show more content…

In doing so he mimics to a great extent the writing style of Brathwaite and also draws many references to sources of quality. In the end, one understands the awesomeness of Brathwaite’s journey through the motherland and the way it is express in his work and so can conclude with Anyihodo that he seems to have gotten the gift of ancestral memory i.e. an understanding of who we are made alive through

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