Literacy versus Identity: The British Influence on Postcolonial Zimbabwe and Sudan in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions and Leila Abuleila Lyrics Alley

Abstract

This article discusses the British influence on postcolonial Zimbabwe and Sudan in terms of literacy and education and how this influence leads to a conflict between modernity and identity in both societies, especially in the case of women. Two postcolonial novels are discussed: Nervous Conditions (1988) by Tsitsi Dangarembga and Lyrics Alley (2010) by Leila Abuleila. Even after the colonization ends, the British still have an influence on both societies. This influence is seen by some as a chance for better education and more development but by others as a negative influence that threatens cultural identity.