African Oral History Quarterly | 12 November 2000
Urban Imaginaries in Senegalese Contemporary Literature: A Comparative Study
S, e, y, n, i, D, i, a, l, l, o, ,, M, a, m, a, d, o, u, D, i, o, p
Abstract
Urbanization in Senegal has been a significant phenomenon over the past decades, with rapid growth in urban populations and infrastructure development. Contemporary African literature often reflects these changes through depictions of urban life. The study employs a comparative textual analysis approach, examining selected novels written by prominent Senegalese authors published between and . The corpus includes texts that explicitly or implicitly deal with urban life. A notable theme in the findings is the tension between traditional values and modernization, evident in several works where characters navigate challenges of cultural preservation amidst rapid urban development. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how contemporary Senegalese authors conceptualize and portray urban life through their narratives. It highlights the complex interplay of tradition and progress within urban settings. Future research could further explore specific sub-communities or socio-economic groups represented in these texts, providing more nuanced insights into urban diversity in Senegal.