A Body to Make Luanda: The Black Woman from the Countryside in Angolan Literature

Abstract

This article examines how the image of the black woman from the countryside who moves to Luanda was developed at three key moments in Angolan literature as a means of constructing national identity. The analysis focuses on Nga Mutúri (1882), by Alfredo Troni ; “Linda,” a short story from A Casa da Mãezinha, by António Cardoso; and “Martinha,” a short story from Momento de Ilusão (2000), by Fragata de Morais.

Keywords

• Angolan literature, Alfredo Troni
• António Cardoso
• Fragata de Morais