What is Literature?

As man started to walk the

earth, he developed a system of
recording down things around
him and interpreting them
according to his own perception.
This act of documenting may have
been the start of the medium.
Not all written material may be
considered literature. Only those
that closely emulate the human
experience, emotion and thought
are regarded as literature.
South Korea North Korea Japan Saudi Arabia

Vietnam China

Indonesia India

Egypt
Malaysia

Israel
Africa Thailand Philippines
Afro-Asian Literature is a term
for writing;
written by people from mixed
African-Arab ethnicity, or
African-Asian ethnicity.
• Why do we always
• need to consider
• the culture of the people
• when we study
• literature?
• Afro-Asian Literature mirrors
not only
the customs and traditions of
African and Asian countries but also their
philosophy of life which on the whole
are deeply and predominantly contemplative
and hauntingly sweet.
• Afro-Asian Literature is the reflection of
the storm and the stress of
developing nations seeking a place
under the sun which every student must
understand so he may know how this
literature affects the history and culture of a
nation.
Many of the literary works are handed down by
oral tradition. In Africa, the lack of literacy did
not make it possible to write literature down.
Histories, myths, legends, including stories,
dramas, riddles, songs, proverbs and other literary
works were handed by mouth from generation to
generation to entertain, educate and remind the
people about their past, heroic deeds of their
people, ancestry and culture.
The importance comes from the fact that Afro-Asian
literature is a sign of new and modern times.
• the other importance is that this writing is able to teach
people and allow them to learn about different
experiences and cultures from all over the world.
History Of Afro-Asian
Literature
- Told of the unique struggles
and successes of Afro-Asian
people.
In most cultures, oral histories marked
the beginning of teaching history.
Later, when more people were able to
read and write, history
became recorded in prose, plays,
and textbooks.
 Poetry/Songs - about the history and culture of the
Afro-Asian people were written and performed,
and then passed down.
Genres
Today, Afro-Asians still express their creativity, and
honour their culture, by crafting beautiful
poems, such as haikus, ballads, or sonnets.
Freeform poems with
specific structures or
meters are also prevalent -
these have a free-spirited,
stream of consciousness
feeling...
Genres
Plays - Playwrights use
dialogue and monologue to Plays, when performed,
will feature backdrops,
reinforce ideas, emotions costumes, and jargon that
and themes. reflects the culture and
unique spirit of Afro-Asian
Many playwrights celebrate people.
their own culture and
ancestry by setting plays in
the past, and
referencing historical
events in their storylines.
 references
• www.afroasianliterature.wordpress.com
• www.katsandogz.com
• www.broadcaster.org.uk