Africa’s reactions to colonial oppression: Canice Nwosu’s Hopes of the Living and Ebrahim Hussein’s Kinjeketile

Abstract

rule in Africa especially Nigeria and Tanganyikain
particular is characterized with oppression and dehumanization.
The Europeans enslaved and killed Africans; moreover slaves
obtained from Africa were completely dehumanized and forced to
work against their will, while the slave Masters raped the females
at will. Thus, the researcher argues that colonialism is the root
cause of oppression and dehumanization in Nigeria; it came in
disguise of bringing development but ended up exploiting,
dehumanizing, subjugating and implanting into Nigerians wrong
notion of putting personal interest before National interest.
Therefore, it is pertinent for Africans, especially Nigerians to
reflect deeply on their history as it relates to their present life
conditions and their future. Although, the paper is on Africa, it is
narrowed down to Nigeria and Tanganyika as African countries.
Nigeria and Tanganyika have been experiencing lots of
oppression and dehumanization which have deterred the integral
development of these great countries. Therefore, the paper
explores the link between the present predicaments and
colonialism. Furthermore, the advent of colonialism in Nigeria
and Africa’s reactions to colonial and post-colonial oppressions
and dehumanization are analysed from the perspective of the
Revolutionist and Loyalists theories. The researcher adopted the
qualitative research method while analyzing the plays of Canice
Nwosu’s Hopes of the Living and Ebrahim Hussein’s Kinjeketile. Other sources of data include journal articles and internet
sources. The paper suggests that education and conscientization
of the citizenry is the best solution to put an end to oppression
and dehumanization. It calls for serious revolution via policy
formulation like the legal profession, Human Rights activist and
NGO’s to fight the perpetrators of all forms of oppression and
dehumanization. The paper concludes that Nigerians should rise
and fight for their freedom which in turn could liberate them from
all forms of oppression and dehumanization inherent in the
country.