Female slam poets of francophone Africa: spirited words for social change

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Periodical article

Title:	Female slam poets of francophone Africa: spirited words for social change
Authors:	Bruijn, Mirjam de Oudenhuijsen, Loes
Year:	2021
Periodical:	Africa: Journal of the International African Institute (ISSN 0001-9720)
Volume:	91
Issue:	5
Pages:	742-767
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	French-speaking Africa Africa
Subjects:	poetry popular music women empowerment
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0001972021000565
Abstract:	Slam poets in Africa are part of an emerging social movement. In this article, the focus is on women in this upcoming slam movement in francophone Africa. For these women, slam has meant a change in their lives as they have found words to describe difficult experiences that were previously shrouded in silence. Their words, performances and engaged actions are developing into a body of popular knowledge that questions the status quo and relates to the 'emerging consciousness' in many African urban societies of unequal, often gendered, power relations. The women who engage in slam have thus become a voice for the emancipation of women in general.