Art and Trauma in Africa ─ Representations of Reconciliation in Music, Visual Arts, Literature and Film

The traumas of conflict and war in postcolonial Africa have been widely documented, but less well-known are their artistic representations. A number of recent films, novels, and other art forms have sought to engage with and overcome post-colonial atrocities and to explore the attempts of reconciliation commissions towards peace, justice and forgiveness. This creativity reflects the memories and social identities of the artists, whilst offering a mirror to African and worldwide audiences coming to terms with a collective memory that is often traumatic in itself. Questioning perception and interpretation, these new art forms challenge the inexpressible nature of atrocities. This groundbreaking volume will inspire those interested in African history and politics as well as broader cultural and artistic studies.

Lizelle Bisschoff recently completed her PhD in Film Studies at the School of Languages, Cultures and Religions at the University of Stirling. She is the founder of Africa in Motion, an annual African film festival in Edinburgh, and lectures in African Cinema (MA-level) at Edinburgh University.

Stephanie Van de Peer is about to complete her PhD specializing in North African documentaries made by women at Stirling, where she is also a tutor for undergraduate courses in Classics in World Cinema, European Cinema, Post-War Cinema, Transnational Identities, Political Islam, and Global Cinema. She is co-director of Africa in Motion.