The Back Without Which There Is No Front

Abstract

Using as its basic point of reference the principle of continuity so fundamental to Ewe conception of development and of life itself, the author of this paper draws on personal experience and testimony to establish an organic relationship between Ewe oral tradition and poetry written in English by himself and others. The article examines certain contradictions surrounding the use of colonial heritage language and culture as the basis of creativity and general education in Africa. It also demonstrates the challenges of creative work in colonial heritage languages as well as special benefits of original work in African languages that draws on models from the oral tradition. However, given the reality of the primary orality of African cultural practice, the paper also acknowledges the need for using modern technology for transmitting African literature, especially poetry, through recordings of the spoken voice.