The
Unseen Realities of Nigeria: A Postcolonial Exploration of Ben Okri’s Novels
Tabish Majid Wani
Ph. D. Research Scholar
Lovely Professional University
Punjab, India
ABSTRACT:
This
paper aims to explore the unseen realities of Nigeria through a postcolonial
lens in the novels of Ben Okri. The postcolonial perspective allows for a
critical examination of the impacts of colonialism and the subsequent formation
of a new nation state. The works of Ben Okri provide a unique perspective on
the complexities of Nigeria's reality, as he weaves together themes of myth,
spirituality, ancestors, and death with the political, social, and economic
conditions of contemporary Nigeria. The paper will examine the ways in which
Okri's use of stream of consciousness and experimentation with form reflects
the ongoing cultural confrontation between foreign and indigenous traditions.
Additionally, the paper will delve into the themes of biopower and necropolitics
and how they are intertwined in the creation of resistance. Through a close
reading of Okri's novels, this paper will shed light on the hidden realities of
Nigeria and the ways in which they are intertwined with the country's
postcolonial experience.
Keywords:
Postcolonial, Nigeria, Ben Okri, novels,
unseen realities, colonialism, nation state, myth, foreign, necropolitics
Introduction
The novels of Nigerian
writer Ben Okri have been widely acclaimed for their imaginative and innovative
approach to exploring the complexities of postcolonial realities in Nigeria. In
his works, Okri utilizes a range of literary techniques, including realism,
modernism, and African oral tradition, to critically examine the political,
social, and economic conditions of contemporary Nigeria, as well as its ongoing
cultural confrontations between foreign and indigenous traditions. Through a
close reading of his novels, this paper aims to shed light on the unseen
realities of Nigeria, as depicted by Okri, by exploring themes such as racism,
myth, spirituality, ancestors, and death. Furthermore, this paper also
discusses the relationship between biopolitics and necropolitics, and how Okri
renegotiates these elements in resistance to the necropolitical forces that
shape contemporary Nigeria.
Ben
Okri's novels provide a postcolonial perspective on Nigeria, examining the
social, political, and economic realities of the country in the aftermath of
colonialism. In his works, Okri explores the ongoing cultural confrontation between
foreign and indigenous traditions, using elements of realism, modernism, and
African oral tradition to offer a nuanced perspective on the complexities of
postcolonial life in Nigeria. One of the central themes in Okri's works is the
issue of racism. In his novels, Okri portrays the deeply ingrained prejudices
and discrimination that persist in postcolonial Nigeria, reflecting the broader
legacy of colonialism in the country. For example, in his novel "The
Famished Road," Okri portrays the experiences of a young spirit-child,
Azaro, who navigates the difficulties of life in a society plagued by poverty,
corruption, and violence. Throughout the novel, Azaro is subject to racist
slurs and insults, underscoring the pervasive nature of racism in Nigeria and its
deep roots in the country's colonial past.
Another
key theme in Okri's works is the role of myth, spirituality, and ancestors in
shaping the postcolonial realities of Nigeria. In his novels, Okri portrays the
deep connections that many Nigerians have to their cultural traditions and
spiritual beliefs, even in the face of the forces of modernization and
globalization. For example, in "Songs of Enchantment," Okri explores
the relationship between the spiritual and physical worlds, showing how the
experiences of spirits and ancestors can shape the lives of contemporary
Nigerians. This theme of spirituality and ancestors also figures prominently in
"The Famished Road," where Azaro's experiences are shaped by the
spiritual forces that surround him, including his ancestors, the spirits of the
forest, and the gods of the crossroads.
Okri's
novels also critically examine the political, social, and economic conditions
of contemporary Nigeria. Through a close reading of his works, it becomes clear
that the postcolonial realities of Nigeria are marked by deep-seated corruption
and violence. In "The Famished Road," for instance, Azaro's
experiences are shaped by the constant presence of poverty, corruption, and
violence in his community. The novel portrays the devastating effects of these
forces on ordinary people, highlighting the way in which they undermine the
ability of the nation-state to deliver basic services and protections to its
citizens.
In
his novels, Okri employs a range of innovative narrative techniques to explore
these themes. For example, he uses a stream of consciousness style, which
allows him to delve deeply into the inner thoughts and experiences of his
characters. This technique allows Okri to offer a vivid and nuanced portrayal
of the realities of postcolonial life in Nigeria, capturing the complex
interplay of emotions and thoughts that shape the experiences of his
characters.
One
of the most striking aspects of Okri's novels is the way in which he
renegotiates the necropolitical elements of resistance. Necropolitics refers to
the ways in which political power is exercised over the dead and the living,
often resulting in the violence and exploitation of vulnerable populations. In
his novels, Okri critically examines the ways in which necropolitical forces
shape contemporary Nigeria, exploring the relationship between biopower and
necropolitics in the country. Through his depictions of corruption, poverty,
and violence, Okri shows how these necropolitical forces undermine the ability
of the nation-state to provide basic services and protections to its citizens.
The
novels of Ben Okri offer a powerful postcolonial perspective on the realities
of contemporary Nigeria. Through his innovative use of form, as well as his
exploration of themes such as racism, myth, spirituality, ancestors, and death,
Okri provides a nuanced and vivid portrayal of the complexities of postcolonial
life in the country.
The
novels of Ben Okri provide a rich and complex exploration of the postcolonial
realities of Nigeria. Through his use of innovative narrative techniques, such
as stream of consciousness and surreal imagery, Okri sheds light on the ongoing
cultural, political, social, and economic conflicts that have arisen in the
wake of colonialism. Through his themes of resistance, racism, myth, spirits,
ancestors, and death, Okri highlights the complexities of the postcolonial
condition, and the ways in which these forces interact to shape the lives of
ordinary people. Finally, the author's focus on biopolitics and necropolitics
reveals the deep interconnectedness of these themes, and the ways in which they
contribute to the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by contemporary
Nigerians. Ultimately, Okri's work provides a powerful critique of the
postcolonial realities of Nigeria, and a moving tribute to the resilience and
perseverance of its people.
Legacy of colonialism
in Ben Okri works
The legacy of
colonialism can be seen in the works of Ben Okri in several ways. Through his
writing, Okri explores the impact of colonialism on the lives of Africans and
how it continues to shape the reality of postcolonial Africa. One of the key
themes in his works is the confrontation between the foreign and indigenous
traditions in postcolonial Africa, as well as the ongoing struggle for cultural
identity in the aftermath of colonialism.
Okri
also critiques the political, social and economic conditions of contemporary
Nigeria, which have been shaped by colonialism and its aftermath. He highlights
the corruption and violence that pervades Nigerian society, as well as the
ongoing exploitation of the country's resources by foreign powers. In his
novels, Okri often explores the complex relationship between power, oppression
and resistance, and how these dynamics continue to play out in postcolonial
Africa.
In
his works, Okri also explores the concept of necropolitics, which refers to the
ways in which political power is exercised over death, bodies and the dead.
Through his writing, Okri shows how necropolitical power is used to control and
suppress the populations of postcolonial Africa, and how this legacy of
colonialism continues to shape contemporary reality.
In
conclusion, the legacy of colonialism is a central theme in the works of Ben
Okri, as he explores the ongoing impact of colonialism on the lives of Africans
and the political, social and economic realities of contemporary Africa.
Through his writing, Okri sheds light on the ongoing struggles for cultural
identity, political power and resistance in postcolonial Africa, and how these struggles
are rooted in the legacy of colonialism.
Famished Road
In Ben Okri's novel
"The Famished Road," postcolonial realities are reflected in a number
of ways. One of the most prominent ways is through the theme of identity, as
the protagonist Azaro struggles to reconcile his dual identity as both an
African and a spirit being. The novel also explores the lasting effects of
colonialism, as seen through the exploitation and marginalization of the
indigenous people, as well as the corrupt and unjust political and economic
systems that were established during colonial rule. Additionally, the novel
reflects the ongoing cultural confrontation between foreign and indigenous
traditions, as Azaro's journey reveals the tension between traditional African
beliefs and the influence of Western cultural norms. Overall, "The
Famished Road" provides a powerful critique of the legacy of colonialism
in contemporary Nigeria and highlights the ongoing struggles of postcolonial
Africans to assert their cultural identity and reclaim their dignity and power
in a world marked by injustice and oppression.
Songs of innocence
The postcolonial
reality in Ben Okri's "Songs of Innocence" is characterized by a
world in which the legacy of colonialism and the trauma of its aftermath continue
to shape the lives of people in Africa. The novel explores the way in which
colonialism has impacted the culture, beliefs, and values of African society,
and how these have been adapted, transformed and sometimes subverted in
response to the colonial experience. Through its depiction of the lives of
ordinary people in Nigeria, the novel highlights the ongoing cultural,
political, and economic struggles that they face, as well as their attempts to
resist and overcome these challenges. In particular, "Songs of
Innocence" sheds light on the ways in which colonialism has impacted the
sense of identity, belonging, and agency of its characters, and how they are
grappling with these legacies in the present.
Infinite Riches
In Ben Okri's novel
"Infinite Riches", postcolonial realities are reflected through the
experiences of the protagonist, Azaro, who is an abiku, a spirit child in
Yoruba culture. The novel is set in a postcolonial Nigeria and highlights the
ongoing cultural confrontation between foreign and indigenous traditions. The
legacy of colonialism is evident in the political and social conditions of
contemporary Nigeria, as corruption and violence are ubiquitous and the
government is ineffective in addressing these issues. The novel also explores
themes of myth, spirit, ancestors, and death, and their relationship to
contemporary society. Okri's use of stream-of-consciousness and a blend of
realist, modernist, and African oral storytelling techniques further emphasizes
the complexities and challenges of postcolonial reality in Nigeria. Through
Azaro's experiences, the novel offers a critique of postcolonial conditions in
Nigeria and raises questions about the possibilities for resistance and
change.
Dangerous Love
Dangerous Love, a novel
by Ben Okri, reflects postcolonial realities through its exploration of themes
such as cultural identity, power struggles, and the lingering effects of
colonialism in post-independence Nigeria. The protagonist, Azaro, is caught
between the traditional spirituality of his parents and the materialistic
Western-influenced world of his neighbors. The conflict between these two
worlds highlights the ongoing cultural confrontation between foreign and
indigenous traditions in postcolonial Africa. Okri also portrays the political
and economic realities of contemporary Nigeria, including corruption and
poverty. Through Azaro's experiences and the interactions between different
characters, the novel highlights the legacy of colonialism and the challenges
that face postcolonial societies. The theme of power and control is also
prominent, as the government and those in positions of authority are depicted
as abusive and oppressive, reflecting the reality of the unequal distribution
of power and resources in postcolonial Africa. Dangerous Love offers a vivid
depiction of postcolonial realities in Nigeria, showing the ongoing challenges
and difficulties faced by people in a society struggling to come to terms with
its colonial past and find its place in the world. Through its use of magical
realism and its focus on themes of cultural identity and power, Dangerous Love
provides a unique and powerful portrayal of the realities of postcolonial life
in Africa.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the
works of Ben Okri provide a vivid representation of the postcolonial realities
of Nigeria, reflecting the legacy of colonialism and the ongoing cultural,
political, social and economic struggles in the country. Through his novels,
including "The Famished Road," "Songs of Innocence,"
"Infinite Riches" and "Dangerous Love," Okri critiques the
ubiquity of corruption, violence and exploitation and explores the complexities
of the relationship between the indigenous and foreign traditions, as well as
the themes of racism, myth, spirit, ancestors and death. By using techniques
such as stream of consciousness and a mix of realism, modernism and African
oral tradition, Ben Okri provides a unique and insightful portrayal of the
complexities of the postcolonial era in Nigeria.
References
Okri
, Ben. The Famished Road. London:Phoenix,
1991. Print.
Okri,
Ben. Song of Enchantment. London: Phoenix,
1993. Print.
Okri,
Ben . Infinite Riches. London:
Phoenix,1999. Print.
Ashcroft,
Bill & et al. The Empire Writes Back.
London: Routledge, 1989. Print.
Achebe,
C. The Trouble with Nigeria. Enugu: Fourth
Dimension, 1983. Print.
Garuba,
H. “Ben Okri Animist Realism and Famished Genre.” The Guardian; Saturday 13 march, 1993.