FAREWELL, ELECHI AMADI (1934 - 2016)

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