The Three Rs: Ridin, Raitin and Riligohn

Many years ago, we listened to the first hand experience of Inderjit Bhogal, who on entering a book shop would regularly ask “Where are the black writers?”. Inderjit is a Ugandan born British Asian, who grew up in a Sikh household and as a young man became not only a Christian, but also a Methodist minister. He had just completed his year of office as the Methodist Church in Britain’s first black president when he told us of his shopping experience. In a store that sold books and stationery, a sales assistant was clearly puzzled by Inderjit’s question and proceeded to display the variety of black felt tipped pens that were available.
Who are black writers? African writers? religious writers? These are questions with many facets. They have been interpreted differently throughout history, and the various eras of socio-political and literary change have shaped their development. Reading, writing and religion are complex issues.

Graham Greene, the British author, prepared the novel, The Heart of the Matter, when he was based in Sierra Leone and working for the Secret Intelligence Service during World War II. Set in Salone, the story is not just about failure, but about the price we all pay for our individualism and the impossibility of truly understanding another person. As in many of Greene's earlier works the story deals with not just the tension of the individual and the state, but also the conflict of the individual and the church. Greene was apparently annoyed by being referred to as a Catholic novelist, insisting that as a novelist he was also a Roman Catholic.

In an another era, Thomas Mofolo, from Lesotho, had already
written a novel, The Fallen Angel before 1925, when he produced the work for which he is best known, Chaka, based on the life of the legendary Zulu, King Shaka. The book is considered one of earliest literary expressions of African Theology, and by a lay theologian. It is highly likely that Steve Biko, as the leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa would have been aware and influenced by the writings of Thomas Mofolo, when in the late 1960’s Biko produced a collection of his own writings under the title I write what I like.

The Salonean writer, Olufemi Terry, said " I write what I like to read", shortly after receiving the 2010 Caine Prize (the African Booker ) for short stories. His award winning story, “Stick fighting days”, is based on ritualised combat conducted by young boys, who inhale solvents to comatose themselves against poverty in Nairobi. As with numerous other acknowledgments of artistic and literary accomplishments, the award ceremony for this African achievement, was held in Europe, in the Bodelian library in Oxford, England. The shortlist for the prize also included, How shall we kill the Bishop? by the Kenyan Lily Mabura, whose quizzical title explores the nature of religious life for members of a catholic community, endeavouring to serve God during the country’s transition towards independence. Both Terry and Mabura’s stories display features to be found in the highly acclaimed book Say you’re one of them by Uwem Akpan, a Nigerian Jesuit priest, whose short stories are not for those who want a romanticised notion of childhood in Africa .

In Freetown, the most available novel by an African writer, is that of the Nigerian, Chinua Achebe’s first novel Things fall apart, which was published in 1958. It is the story of a traditional village "big man" Okonkwo, and his downfall. The book has been translated into some 50 languages but not Krio, and as a secondary school text in Salone, it is for sale in photocopied editions on numerous stalls on Freetown’s streets. Other than the bible, there is very little literature available in Krio. It is not surprising then, that those entering the world of literacy want to be able to read and write in English. Bank forms, medical prescriptions and children’s schoolwork are all in English. Preparation for literacy classes are now underway for some 60 or more potential adult learners, following the training of fourteen adult literacy facilitators. It is not I write what I like, but I read what I need to know. Entering the world of literacy, for this particular group, who are HIV+, will enable them to do more than sign their name. Literacy safeguards their health, wellbeing and their finances against possible exploitation. Becoming literate empowers a person to not only rid and rait but to have access to the writings of their riligohn.