1 Introduction

In 2021, African literature received international recognition, with multiple authors winning awards. In November 2022, the Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities and the Africa School of Beijing Foreign Studies University held a seminar focusing on African literature. Experts and scholars from multiple countries participated in bilingual communication in Chinese and English to explore hot topics in African language and cultural research.

African Literary Themes from a Historical Perspective

Professor Zhu Zhenwu emphasized the importance of African literature in understanding African countries and suggested that Chinese scholars conduct field investigations to construct a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary study of African literature. Professor Olagak Alamu analyzed the changes in African literature before and after colonization, pointing out that modern African literature was influenced by both the literary system of the suzerain countries and the oral traditions of Africa. Associate Researcher Jiang Hui questions the current definition of African literary history and proposes a reflection on the hegemonic paradigm of postcolonial studies. Yu Jingyuan introduced the development of African feminism, pointing out its differences and controversies with Western feminism. Ma Xiujie and Liu Yizhong sorted out the history of Zulu oral and written literature, showcasing its challenges and development during the colonial and post apartheid periods.

3 African Indigenous Language and Literature Themes

Professor Russell Kashura conducted a comparative analysis of oral literature in Afrikaans and Xhosa languages, revealing similarities in literary genres, themes, and creative techniques between the two. Professor Rosaline Enligisana conducted in-depth research on traditional Tswana songs, emphasizing their importance as a record of national history and culture. Mtuli Butelez shared his experience of using Python to write a Zulu dictionary and demonstrated the application of technology in language research. Liu Li analyzed the literary works of Abubakar Yimang and explored the influence of British colonial rule on indigenous African literature. Ao Manyun and Yan Ziyi introduced the development of Tarabu music in Zanzibar and its value in social history. Ma Jun analyzed the political influence of Swahili translations of Shakespeare's works and explored the role of translation in the development of local culture. Ding Ruilin explored the value and limitations of Swahili translation in the colonial context. Liu Qinglai interpreted the works of Chabani Robert and analyzed his imagery in the construction of post colonial Africanization. Liu Qin'anqi sorted out the information dissemination methods of Somalia's traditional oral society and pointed out the important role of poetry in it.

4 African English Literature Themes

In depth analysis of multiple themes in African English literature. Zuo Gouji and Associate Professor Li Chunguang discussed the father's nostalgia for his daughter in "Your Cradle, My Kibra" and the memory writing dilemma in Nigeria's multilingual and religious background. Associate Professor Zhang Feng placed Gulner's works in the context of postcolonial literature research, analyzing his criticism of memory writing, historical reshaping, and African cultural nationalism. Dr. Gao Tian, a graduate student, studied the spatial construction and ethical choices in Gurna's novel "Heaven", revealing the living conditions of indigenous residents in East Africa in the early 20th century. Associate Professor Qin Pengju introduced Achebe's realistic literary creations, refuting the portrayal of African history and civilization from a Western centric perspective, and opening a new chapter in objectively writing about Africa. Lecturer Yuan Junqing explored the issue of identity narrative in Adichi's works, outlining the process of identity transformation among African diaspora. Lecturer Dai Xuetian introduced Soyinka's landscape description strategy and cultural perspective in his autobiography, reflecting his dialectical attitude towards colonial history, traditional African culture, and modern European culture.

5 African French Literature Themes

Associate Professor Liu Tiannan discussed the creation of Malian writer Ulog and his controversy over plagiarism, and proposed a reevaluation of Ulog's literary value. Associate Professor Zhou Xueli analyzed the realistic poetry of Senegalese poet Diope, revealing his criticism of colonialism and exploration of the African spiritual homeland. Associate Professor Tiannina introduced the new features of 21st century African French literature, emphasizing the focus on individual experiences and the portrayal of individual living conditions. Lecturer Zhou Yana studied the works of Cameroonian female writer Miano and analyzed the identity crisis and resilience traits of African women in the post colonial era.

6 Themes of Portuguese Language Literature in Africa

Contemporary Portuguese historical novels in Africa have undergone innovations in genre, content, and ideology. Professor Wang Yuan reevaluates their position in world literature from four aspects. Researcher Shang Jingge explored the creative techniques of Angolan novelist Luciano Vieira, who combined traditional African languages with Portuguese to create new vocabulary and sentence structures, using rhetorical devices to accuse colonial society of discrimination. Lecturer Sang Dapeng deeply interpreted the novel of Angolan Portuguese author Jaimilia Pereira de Almeida, analyzing the spatial power relations and the postcolonial marginalization of the characters in the novel. Master's student Jie Dongyue conducted a detailed textual analysis of the works of Portuguese Angolan author Petra, analyzing the meaning, reasons, and impact of "tribalism", and exploring the practical difficulties in solving this problem.

7 Conclusion

This seminar is jointly organized by the Global Alliance of Foreign Language Universities and the School of North Africa Studies to celebrate the 80th anniversary of modern non lingua franca higher education in China. The Africa College of Beijing Foreign Studies University has held three consecutive "International Symposium on African Language and Culture Studies", which has received enthusiastic response and support from scholars at home and abroad, promoting academic exchanges and cooperation. The seminar focuses on African literature, discussing its history and reality, theory and innovation, covering the writing techniques and creative concepts of representative African writers, indigenous African languages and literature, English, French, Portuguese literature in colonial contexts, and the impact of their translations on African literary traditions, as well as African feminism. The literature of Tswana, Xhosa, and Somali languages first appeared in the study of Chinese and African literature. The development of African literature demonstrates the process of Africa gradually mastering historical initiative in its development. The academic community should present the real image of China and Africa to the world through literary research, promote mutual learning of world civilizations, the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, and the deepening of China Africa cooperation.