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The Empire Writes Back:

Theory and Contexts

Page Index

Click these links to go to the major sub-sections.

Theory I -- terms, definitions
Theory II -- scholarly studies
Contexts--historical, cultural

Post-Colonial Theory: Terms and Definitions

Introduction to Postcolonial Studies
Some Issues in Postcolonial Theory good starting point on the subject for beginners
Myths of the Native-- helpful essay.
The Empire Writes Back to and from the Centre: An Introductory Lecture by Zabus--helpful introduction.
Mimicry, Ambivalence, and Hybridityand Orientalism--two more issues in Post-Colonial Studies
A Very Brief Guide to Postcolonial Theory--helpful summary of five theoretical approaches; good section on the concept of the "other."
Frantz Fanon-- good summary of Fanon's influential writings.
Homi Bhabha--definitions of post-colonial terms.
Representation-- overview of the problems with this term, particularly applied to the representation of the "subaltern."
Négritude-- an important concept developed by Aimé Césaire and others.
Postcolonialism, Nation, and Gender--definitions
Post-colonial Feminism--good introduction and overview of several key issues.
Magic Realism: A Problem
Magic Realism --good definitions linking magic realism to hybridity and the carnivalesque.
Post-colonial Literature: Problems with the Term--an issue in Post-Colonial Studies
The Magic Realism Page
Selected Examples of Scientific Racism
Political Discourse: Theories of Colonialism and Post-Colonialism(Landow site)--links to a number of sources.

Post-Colonial Theory: Scholarly Studies

"Introduction," The Empire Writes Back: Theory and Practice in Post-colonial Literatures--introductory chapter from a well-known scholarly book on post-colonial studies by Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths, Helen Tiffin. (Here is an alternate source).
Post-Colonialism or Post-Imperialism?--scholarly article
The Quarrel with History--by Glissant, a leading post-colonial theorist.
Of Mimicry and Man: The Ambivalence of Colonial Discourse--by Homi Bhabha, an important post-colonial theorist.
"Introduction" to Anancy in the Great House--selection from Jonas' scholarly book.
Post-Colonial Sampler--essays by Senghor, Said, Achebe, Bhabha, and others.
Négritude: A Humanism of the Twentieth Century--by Senghor, a leading post-colonial theorist.
Caribbean Theory and Criticism--good scholarly survey, but may be challenging for beginners.
The Dyer Straits of Whiteness--book review of Dyer's White, 1977
Black Skin, White Masks --by Frantz Fanon, a leading post-colonial theorist.
Veiled and Revealed--book review of Yegenoglu's Colonial Fantasies: Towards a Feminist Reading of Orientalism.
African Women and Literature--book review of the problem of western critics' views (including western feminist critics) being imposed on African literature/women.
Western Representation of Arabo-Islamic Women--Degabriele's conference paper on the important issue of viewing other cultures through Euro-American perspectives.
Women, Native, Other: Writing Postcoloniality and Feminism--by Trinh T. Minh-ha, a leading post-colonial theorist.
A State of Perpetual Wandering: Diasporia and Black British Writers --Williams' scholarly article on the where is home in a post-colonial world.
The Politics of Exposure and Concealment in Post-colonial Discourse --Awadalla and Valassapoulos' scholarly study of the gaze at/of the Veiled Woman.
The Rhetoric of Empire--quotations of Spurr's definitions of important post-colonial terms.
Charting the Black Atlantic--Baucom's scholarly article.
Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses--Mohanty's important scholarly article.
Postcolonial Studies and Transnational Feminist Practices--scholarly article by Grewal and Kaplan.
Decolonizing the Mind --Thiong'o's argument for use of native languages.
The Battle with Language-- the creole vs standard English issue, by Caribbean writer Grace Nichols.
The Repeating Island --chapter excerpt from Benitez-Rojo's scholarly book on the Caribbean and postmodernism.
Binarisms and Duality: Magic Realism and Postcolonialism --Baker's scholarly article; good definitions.
Post-Colonial Fictions(Span 36)--links to many conference papers on many aspects of Postcolonial writing
"Prologue" to The Kingdom of This World--Carpentier's key statement about 'marvellous realism.'

Historical and Cultural Contexts

Island Natives and the Slave Trade

A Slave Ship Speaks: The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie--a 9-part essay (click on the links at the bottom of the page); well-illustrated
History of Caribbean --brief outline survey of each Caribbean island.
Importance of History in Caribbean Writing
Mapping Africa: Africa and the Diaspora Movement
Europeans Come to West Africa and African Slave Trade and the Middle Passage--helpful history with many supporting links.
Moyd Okidiji, 'The Dutchman'--see also this larger image; Yoruban painting of the "Middle Passage" inspired by Robert Hayden's poem by that name (see Hayden's poem).
Arawak/Taino Indians --summary of these Caribbean natives. More information here: Taino Indians Culture
The 'Carib' Story--short history of Carib Indians
Pre-Columbian Caribbean Archaelogy and Ethnohistory--short history of various Caribbean Indians, including the Taino and the Caribs.
Aboriginal Cannibalism--scholarly study.
A Note on Tainos: Whither Progress? --long scholarly history.
History of Barbadoes--short history.
Puerto Rico: Its Land, History, Culture, and Literature--lesson plan with good summary of Puerto Rican history and literature.
From "The Origin of Negro Slavery" --long scholarly article by Williams.
From "Middle Passage"--essay by Naipaul.

Slave Rebellions and Heroes/Heroines

Maroons in Jamaica--five-part essay; click on links at top or bottom of the page.
Haitian Revolution three-part essay; click on links at top or bottom of page.
Nanny --short history of this legendary Caribbean heroine
The Story of Grandy Nanny --short history of Nanny and the Maroons.
Maroons: Rebel Slaves in the Americas
Jamaica's Troubled Past: The Maroons --well-researched student essay.
The Haitian Revolution
Early History of Haiti --note the black revolutionary leaders Toussaint Louverture, Henri Christophe, and Jean-Jaques Dessalines.
The Slave Army of Toussaint L'Ouverture
The Tragedy of Haiti--chapter 8 from Noam Chomsky's book.
Creativity and Resistance: Maroon Cultures in the Americas--good teacher's Guide historical essay.
Enslaved African Revolts--detailed timeline.
History of Jamaica--short history up to the present.
Slave Revolt against White Man's Law Paul Bogle and the Morant Bay rebellion.
Bussa: Barbados National Hero
Emancipation--A Dream Deferred
Maroon Cultures in the Americas-- many links.
Maroon Societies and Creole Languages
The Maroons and Moore Town
The Accompong Town Maroons: Past and Present
Obeah: The Ultimate Resistance

Traditional African and Afro-Caribbean Religions

African Religiosity in the Diaspora: Caribbean Experience--good overview.
Caribbean Religion Center --links to various aspects of syncretic (African-Caribbean) religious belief and practice.
The Religion in Africa and Cuba: How Different Are They Really?--helpful comparison.
Santeria--A Syncretistic Caribbean Religion--definitions.
Haitian Religion--voudou and Christianity.
The Ancestors in Haitian Vodou--also has links to related concept.
Voodoo: From Medicine to Zombies--many links.
Haiti: Voodoo--many links.
Obeah: Afro-Shamanistik Witchcraft
Images of Voodoo-- scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Face of the Gods: Art and Altars of Africa and the African Americas--exhibition (with commentary) at the Museum of African Art in New York City.
InquiceWeb: Kongo-based Faiths--many related links.
A Structural Analysis of Puerto Rican Santeria--good analysis.
OrishaNet--click on links at top of page; many articles.
The African Experience of God through the Eyes of a Akan Woman--essay.
Iemonja and Olukun--personal essay with an extensive section on the goddess Yemaya.
African Traditional Religion-- many, many links to traditional African and Afro-Caribbean religious beliefs and practices.
Santeria, A Practical Guide to Afro-Caribbean Magic--click on "Historical Notes" and "ceremonies."
Nwaanyi Mara Mma: Mami Wata, the More Than Beautiful Woman
The Cult of the Virgin Mary in Haiti --the syncretization of Mary symbology and Erzuli (Mami Wata) symbology.
Divine Transpositions: Recent Scholarship on Voudou and Santeria Religious Art--scholarly article.

Rastafari, Reggae, and Related Art Forms

Dread History: The African Diaspora, Ethiopianism, and Rastafari--good source.
The Repeating Island --chapter excerpt from Benitez-Rojo's scholarly book on the Caribbean and postmodernism; see the last sections on religion.
The Rastafarian Religion--short but good introduction
Religious Movements: Rastafarianism-- a number of links, including to Bob Morley and reggae music.
Rastafari--explanation at the Bob Marley site.
Reggae Music History--good overview.
Nyabinghi--well-researched student paper on African drumming and modern reggae.
Reggae As Social Change: The Spread of Rastafarianism--well-researched student paper.
A Sketch of Rastafari History-- much more detailed than the title suggests; from Garveyites to Bob Marley.
Dub Poetry: Introduction-- defines "dub" poetry and its politicized purpose; many helpful links to Creole language, Rastafari, and reggae rhythms.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey: Ratafarian Prophet --influence of Garvey on contemporary Rastafari.
Marcus Garvey--modern hero.
Rastafarianism-- an even-handed and fair overview of the religious movement, but ends with a Christian refutation.
Rastafari in Jamaica--defines this movement; many links.
About Reggae Music--defines the music; many links.
Performing Arts: Jamaica--identifies a number of Caribbean art forms (pantomime, dub poetry, carnival, etc.).
Linton Kwesi Johnson and Jean Binta Breeze--two important Dub Poets.

Carnival, Steel Bands, and Calypsonians

Drum Is the Ear of God: Africa's Inner World of Music--long essay on African drum music.
Yoruban Song Gallery--listen to song/drum samples!
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival--short introduction.
Steel Bands--definition and short history.
The Steel Orchestra
Barbadoes: Carnival--click on the images.
Carnival--18 scholarly articles in a special issue of The Drama Review. See especially Riggio's "Resistance and Identity: Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago"; Liverpool's "Origins of Rituals and Customs in the Trinidad Carnival: African or European?"; and Earl Lovelace's "The Emancipation-Jouvay Tradition and the Almost Loss of Pan."
Carnival Pictures--representative selection.
The Calypsonian as Artist: Freedom and Responsibility--Roelehr's scholarly article (see alternate text).
Calypso Kings--two great calypsonians in Britain.
Nostalgia--Old Time Carnival--photos.
Carnival 2001: Festival of the Streets
Viey La Cou--helpful information.
Traditional Characters
Traditional Carnival Characters--photos.
Traditional Character: Midnight Robber
Traditional Character: Pierrot Grenade
The Making of a King
Carnival 2001 King and Queen Finals Photo Gallery