Safundi
Scope & Guideline
Exploring the Nexus of Culture, History, and Politics
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- African Literature and Cultural Critique:
The journal publishes works that explore African literature, examining its role in cultural identity formation, resistance, and social commentary, particularly in the context of post-colonial and post-apartheid societies. - Historical and Political Analysis:
'Safundi' emphasizes historical narratives, particularly those related to apartheid, liberation movements, and the socio-political landscape of South Africa and the broader African continent, providing critical insights into these transformative periods. - Decolonial Studies:
The journal focuses on decoloniality, exploring how literature and cultural practices interact with colonial legacies, and how they contribute to new understandings of identity, space, and power dynamics. - Intersectionality of Gender and Sexuality:
Research published in 'Safundi' often addresses issues of gender, sexuality, and their implications within African contexts, highlighting diverse voices and experiences that challenge normative narratives. - Transnational and Diasporic Studies:
The journal investigates African diasporic literature and transnational connections, analyzing how these narratives inform and shape global perceptions of Africa and its cultures.
Trending and Emerging
- Decolonial Thought and Practices:
There is a growing emphasis on decoloniality, with increasing scholarly discourse addressing how African narratives can redefine and challenge colonial legacies, offering alternative ways of understanding history and identity. - Intersectionality and Queer Studies:
The journal is increasingly focusing on intersectional studies that examine the interplay of gender, sexuality, and race, particularly in the context of African societies, highlighting diverse and marginalized voices. - Cultural Production and Digital Spaces:
Emerging themes involve the examination of cultural production in digital spaces, exploring how technology influences African storytelling, activism, and the global representation of African identities. - Environmental and Ecocritical Perspectives:
Recent articles reflect an emerging interest in ecocriticism, addressing the relationships between literature, the environment, and socio-political issues in Africa, emphasizing sustainability and ecological awareness. - Global South Perspectives:
A trend towards exploring narratives from the Global South is evident, as the journal seeks to situate African experiences within broader international contexts, fostering dialogues that transcend geographical boundaries.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Historical Narratives:
There seems to be a decline in interest towards conventional historical narratives that do not engage critically with contemporary issues. The journal is moving towards more dynamic interpretations that incorporate lived experiences and marginalized voices. - Mainstream Postcolonial Criticism:
The journal's focus on mainstream postcolonial criticism has decreased, possibly in favor of more nuanced approaches that integrate decolonial perspectives and intersectional analyses, indicating a shift towards more innovative frameworks. - Focus on South African Centrality:
While still significant, there is a noticeable reduction in articles solely centered on South African themes, as the journal expands its scope to include broader African and diasporic contexts, reflecting a more global perspective. - Historical Biographies of Prominent Figures:
There has been a decline in the publication of biographical studies focused solely on well-known historical figures, suggesting a move towards collective narratives and broader historical contexts instead. - Linear Narratives of Liberation Struggles:
The journal appears to be moving away from linear narratives of liberation struggles, which often oversimplify complex histories, in favor of more fragmented and multifaceted accounts that capture the richness of African experiences.
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