Tribute by I M Soqaga
Elechi Amadi, one of Africa's finest writers, has died. Apart from writing and publishing the acclaimed novel,
The Concubine, Amadi was also author of several other excellent imaginative works.
One of Africa's early pre-eminent writers, his works were read by hundreds of thousands of people over the decades, and some of his books were studied in schools in West, and eastern African countries.
Yes, one of Africa’s sons, the priceless literary giant
of African literature has finally departed this world. Certainly Africa is reeling with the
poignant demise of the “Captain” Elechi Amadi.
The continent is absolutely appalled at the gloomy bombshell. Recently we witnessed how African pioneers
and catalyst of black African literature leaving this world, like Chinua
Achebe, Obi Egbuna, Lewis Nkosi, Es’kia Mphahlele, Grace Ogot, Kofi Awoonor
etc.
Elechi Amadi has done tremendously well in
advocating African literature with great vim.
Surely, his name can be mentioned and reckoned with profound
ecstasy. His name will remain memorable
in many people’s mind. He was one of the
indomitable African writers who were not ashamed to express African literature
unambiguously.
For decades- his contribution in
African literature was categorically prodigious. The peerless Elechi died at the time Africa
is faces with mammoth challenge of ignorance. By the fact that is one of the early pioneers
and catalyst of African literature, apparently a lot can be gained from his
literary work. Africa and Africans have
to realize that ignorance is one of the precarious setbacks; its purpose is to
seriously besmirch quintessential African literature.
Elechi Amadi was a Nigerian author of plays and novels that are
generally about African village life, customs, beliefs and religious
practices. Amadi is best regarded for
his 1966 first novel “The Concubine”, which has been called “an outstanding
work of pure fiction”. Some of his works
include The Great Ponds, Isiburu, Sunset in Biafra, Dance of Johannesburg,
Peppersoup, The Road to Ibadan, The Slave, Estrangement and the Woman of Calabar.
Definitely, questions concerning the perpetual
survival of African literature will always be asked. As whether African literature is still
apposite and vibrant like in the past years when the world would be astonished
at the literary material African writers used to produce? Significantly, ignorance in every single city
of Africa is something that needs to be extirpated. Obviously, Elechi Amadi is a paradigm in this
context. He boldly shunned the notion
that Africans are incapable in cultivating awesome world class literary material. Throughout his life, he actively committed
himself by promulgating literary knowledge in this wise.
It is completely amazing at how the world recognized
his unmitigated literary achievement.
His thrilling literary works remains monumental to many people in the
world. Currently the anticipation is
that literary fraternity need to doff their hats and show sincere gratitude to
the African own literary wordsmith “Elder” Elechi Amadi. It is imperative for Africans to remain firm
to bona fide African literature and to avoid being docile to the potent of
modern technology with its engrossing comfort and privileges.
Africans must always remember the importance of
their heritage and be courageously active in promoting their heritage. Elechi Amadi was instrumental as an exponent
of African literature; this dimension was illustrated by his transcendent
erudition that he displayed during colonial times and also in present time. He celebrated his 80th birthday in Port
Harcourt, in 2014 releasing a souvenir edition of one of his plays, Isiburu to mark his 80th birthday. His literary achievements must invariably
continue to steer us as the living example that need to be emulated. Rest in peace “Captain” Elechi Amadi!
Elechi Amadi's Works
The Concubine (novel) - 1966 (London: Heinemann African Writers Series); Ibadan:
The Great Ponds (novel) - 1969
Sunset in Biafra (war diary) - 1973
Isiburu (play) - 1973
Peppersoup and The Road (plays, combined volume) 1977; Ibadan: Onibonoje Publishers
Dancer of Johannesburg (play) - 1978, Ibadan: Onibonoje Publishers
The Slave (novel) - 1978, Heinemann
Ethics in Nigerian Culture (philosophy) - 1982, London: Heinemann
Estrangement (novel) - 1986
The Woman of Calabar (play) - 2002, Port Harcourt: Gitelle Press
Speaking and Singing (essays and poems) - 2003, University of Port Harcourt Press
Collected Plays (ed. Seiyifa Koroye) - 2004, Port Harcourt: Pearl Publishers
