A vibrant meditation and poetic call for an African utopian philosophy of self-reinvention for the twenty-first century
In the recent aftermath of colonialism, civil wars, and the AIDS crisis, a new day finally seems to be shining on the African continent. Africa has once again become a site of creative potential and a vibrant center of economic growth and production. No longer stigmatized by stereotypes or encumbered by the traumas of the past-yet unsure of the future-Africa has other options than simply to follow paths already carved out by the global economy. Instead, the philosopher Felwine Sarr urges the continent to set out on its own renewal and self-discovery-an active utopia that requires a deep historical reflection on the continent's vast mythological universe and ancient traditions, nourishes a cultural reinvention, and embraces green technologies for tackling climate change and demographic challenges.
Through a reflection on contemporary African writers, artists, intellectuals, and musicians, Sarr elaborates Africa's unique philosophies and notions of communal value and economy deeply rooted in its ancient traditions and landscape-concepts such as ubuntu, the life force in Dogon culture; the Rwandan imihigo; and the Senegalese teranga. Sarr takes the reader on a philosophical journey that is as much inward as outward, demanding an elevation of the collective consciousness.
Along the way, one sees the contours of an africanity, a contemporary Africa united as a continent through the creolization of its cultural traditions. This is Felwine Sarr's Afrotopia.
| ISBN: | 9781517906917 |
| Publication date: | 17th March 2020 |
| Author: | Felwine Sarr |
| Publisher: | University of Minnesota Press an imprint of University Of Minnesota Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 128 pages |
| Series: | A Univocal Book |
| Genres: |
History of art Ethnic studies Western philosophy from c 1800 African history |
A vibrant meditation and poetic call for an African utopian philosophy of self-reinvention for the twenty-first century
In the recent aftermath of colonialism, civil wars, and the AIDS crisis, a new day finally seems to be shining on the African continent. Africa has once again become a site of creative potential and a vibrant center of economic growth and production. No longer stigmatized by stereotypes or encumbered by the traumas of the past-yet unsure of the future-Africa has other options than simply to follow paths already carved out by the global economy. Instead, the philosopher Felwine Sarr urges the continent to set out on its own renewal and self-discovery-an active utopia that requires a deep historical reflection on the continent's vast mythological universe and ancient traditions, nourishes a cultural reinvention, and embraces green technologies for tackling climate change and demographic challenges.
Through a reflection on contemporary African writers, artists, intellectuals, and musicians, Sarr elaborates Africa's unique philosophies and notions of communal value and economy deeply rooted in its ancient traditions and landscape-concepts such as ubuntu, the life force in Dogon culture; the Rwandan imihigo; and the Senegalese teranga. Sarr takes the reader on a philosophical journey that is as much inward as outward, demanding an elevation of the collective consciousness.
Along the way, one sees the contours of an africanity, a contemporary Africa united as a continent through the creolization of its cultural traditions. This is Felwine Sarr's Afrotopia.
Afrotopia features in the following genres: History of art, Ethnic studies, Western philosophy from c 1800, African history
Afrotopia is available in Paperback
Afrotopia was written by Felwine Sarr and published by University of Minnesota Press an imprint of University Of Minnesota Press
Afrotopia has 128 pages
Yes it is part of A Univocal Book series
£17.99