Book: THOUGHTS ON FS WRITING (Literary Essays)
Author: Omoseye Bolaji
First published in
2002
Review by: Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
It is a popular belief that literacy is one of the important
objectives for African people to achieve and in the process there are very
interesting African people who are making extraordinary effort to fulfill this
goal. By now there are many prolific
African writers who have made wonderful impression in the world of literature. Others are dead and others are still alive: they include Achebe, Eskia Mphahlele, Simon L Bojaji, Obi
Egbuna, Bessie Head, Sol Plaatjie, Mariam Mba, Ousmane Sembene, Lewis Nkosi,
Zakes Mda, Ngungi, Vera, Mariam Tlali etc.
However, these pioneers of African literature have laid an absolute
literary foundation for the generation that follow.
In looking at the book Thoughts on Free State writing,
written by Omoseye Bolaji, surely one will be filled with great enthusiasm - so
to speak. The book definitely defined
many aspects of literature that are not ubiquitous. Those who are familiar with reading books
will only think that literature is all about fictitious novels that
specifically speak about romance. Or
certain writers who believes that literature can only exist during their times
and without them there can be no literature.
But the book Thoughts on Free State Writing dismiss all this self
recognize writers and substantially furnish a clear understanding of
literature. Following are some (essentially) excerpts from the book, Thoughts on Free State writers:
Literary Criticism
Many times I am asked by the people: “How do you feel when your work is
criticized? It make us feel bad to read
some people finding fault with what you’ve written.”
Literary criticism is an integral part of the world of
writing. If you are not criticized it
means you are not being read, at least by those who know something about
literature.
Imagination
In those days when Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart was first
published the book made a great impression around the world as the author
re-created an elegant, dignified, ostensibly civilized past of (the Ibo)
people.
Mangaung Poets
Who is the “greatest” poet from the (Mangaung)
townships? Of course the question is
invidious, even unscholarly. How do you decide who the “best”, the “greatest”
is? Comparisons they say, are odious,
but we do so all the same. In the end it
all boils down to subjectivity, personal preferences.
Auto Biographies
In fact a large number of readers prefer to read biographies
alone. In fact Durrell wrote many books
that millions of readers found very amusing.
‘Wole Soyinka’s polished, elevated prose has also found expression in
auto-biographical books like The man died,’ Ake: years of childhood; and Isara:
A voyage around Essay.
Letters to a Poet
I have heard many people, including local
journalist/writers, saying: “How can a book
be written, based on letters?”
But it is nothing strange, really. For centuries, literature has incorporated
letters/correspondence. Epistolary
writing, based on letters, was the forte of Richardson, centuries ago, e.g.
Clarissa.
Biographies
Not everybody can write their life stories themselves, hence
a biographer can come in useful.
Books for Children
It is said that writing for children is the most difficult
genre of writing because the author has to somehow strike the right
balance. He or she must view the events
through the eyes to the very young and still manage to keep the material
interesting; the writer must not be patronizing and sort of look down on the
children, etc
Education
We might as well remember that centuries ago in many parts
of Africa, Islamic education was regarded as the ultimate-with Islamic scholars
exerting great influence on the continent.
In fact we know a lot about old Africa.
Thanks to the writings of the likes of Ibn Batuta, Leo Africanus
(Islamic scholars who visited Africa many centuries ago).
I am writing this in an attempt to point out that formal
education is not a pre-requisite for being a good writer. Once the rudiments, the foundation is there,
a potential writer need not have much formal education.
Humour
Charles Dickens had an extraordinary gift for wit and
humour, and created so many fantastic characters.
Reading
Most people have read a few books (literature) while in
school. Prescribed books. This should provide a foundation for further
reading.
-----------------
Omoseye Bolaji on the very same book has also reviewed
African Renaissance. To this end the late but still very much cherished Pule Lebuso
has published two books on this theme:
African Renaissance anti-clockwise: and Africanism in
contradiction. In both books he
unashamedly and unreservedly advocates a return to the past where morality held
sway and men were men and women were proud of it- as it were.
Pule Lebuso has moreover add a tremendous input in the book
and explain the fiction of Omoseye Bolaji.
The suave Bolaji enthralls us by making an awe-inspiring reflection on
Free State writers: Gilbert Modise,
Flaxman Qoopane, Lebohang Thaisi, Pule Lebuso, Alitta Moleboheng Mokhuoa,
France Nthejane, Teboho Mohanoe, Job Mzamo
Thoughts on Free State
writing though a bit dated now (many
other younger writers have emerged on the pertinent scene over the years) for
me is still one of the great books produced by black African author. Is the
guide for those who struggle to understand what really literature is? There are so many people in the world in
particular in Africa who has the potential to become writers and they do not know
where to begin. Others have attempted to
write but along the way they have been discouraged simply because they can’t
have inspiration to try their ability.
There are thousands of people who attended schools and
procure many academic certificates but yet nothing they can produce
literary. Similarly with those who knows
the class room but didn’t necessary gain university qualification. Africa can have multitude of writers but the
only thing is the lack of ability to test our potential and our literary flair.
Thoughts on Free
State writing will remain one of the best books in Africa and it must be used
as an inspiration for the purpose of introduction of literature among the
African people. The important people who
play the pivotal role in our society such as teachers, parents and apparently
academics themselves have to familiarize themselves with the book and at the
same time propagate its central mammoth meaning. If the book can be properly known especially
in the grassroots and in schools many people who are dubious about their
literary aptitude will be strongly motivated and will start to write and write…
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Review by
Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga (pix below)
