-
CFP: 2008 JAL Critical Supplement CS(2): The Works of Ossie Enekwe
Extended Deadline: May 31 2007
In
continuation of our 2008 exposition of the esthetics of War, Conflict and
Conflict Resolution in contemporary African writing, the editors at IRCALC
invite research papers, critical presentations and editorial
collaborations for our 2008 Critical Supplement project on the works of
retiring professor of dramatic literature at the University of Nigeria,
Onuora Oswald Enekwe, a.k.a. "Ossie Melody". Ossie Enekwe retires
this year from the University where he has developed and
expanded the theater and drama curricular of the university, edited
Okike: African Journal of New Writing after Chinua Achebe, and
directed the prestigious Institute of African Studies at the university
among others.
Born at Affa Enugu state Nigeria, Ossie Enekwe who holds M.Phil and Ph.D degrees in Drama and Theatre, has been poet-in-public-service program New York as well as poet-in-residence and writing fellow at some American universities. Over the decades, Enekwe has tirelessly offered his creative and literary talents to the elucidation of African literature and literary criticism. A proponent of the oneness of ritual and drama, Enekwe has been in the intellectual forefront of the campaign of a truly independent African esthetic uncluttered by such western theoretical conditions and prejudices that would preclude any admission of African contribution in the evolution of the theatre, literature, and cultures of the world.
Author of Broken Pot (poetry), Marching to Kilimanjaro (poetry), The Last Battle (short fiction), among others, Ossie Enekwe�s writing demonstrates a versatility of craft that manipulates ironies and dramatic action to startling -- and highly esthetic -- effects. The unavoidably tragic notes of his war stories and lyrical quality of his poetry reveal a writer comparable in clarity and sensitivity to Nigeria�s Chinua Achebe and America�s Stephen Crane. As one of few surviving veterans of the West African fratricide in 1968-1979 Nigeria, and a writer of enormous talent and restraint, a study of Enekwe�s poems, short stories and essays will bring great insight to bear on contemporary studies in popular rebellion, social conflicts, and human survival as pertain to a largely African physical /metaphysical landscape.
Enekwe�s writing has rightly been described as �constituting a testimonial of our time� and incorporating �the rhythm of our exciting but agonizingly self-destructive world�. This study of his will trace the budding and maturation of craft from any selections from Broken Pots and Marching to Kilimanjaro through Enekwe�s more remarkable short fiction collection: The Last Battle. Scholars, readers, writers and participants in this 2008 review of the works of Ossie Onuora Enekwe will be required and encouraged to include one or more existing or previously unread papers / articles on the Broken Pot collection as well as Marching to Kilimanjaro. Emphasis may dwell on single or multiple studies of Ossie Enekwe�s poetry or fiction, and may include comparative studies of Enekwe�s and such other works of contemporary African writers as Chinua Achebe�s Girls at War, or older writings of possible influences as Stephen Crane�s Red Badge of Courage. Further comparisons of Enekwe with the War / Conflict literatures of West, South and East African writers (Peter Onwudinjo, Meja Mwangi, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Peter Abrahams, etc.) will be given serious consideration.
We have requested and obtained PDF copies of the listed works of Ossie Enekwe for distribution to participants and collegiate readers. Ossie�s poems and fiction may be accessed direct from our website www.africaresearch.org or may be available by written request to interested participants in our 2008 Critical Supplement project.
Please send abstracts and propositions for participation in this supplementary journal issue to editors at [email protected]