Out in Africa

Chantal Zabus's Out in Africa investigates the complex representations of same-sex desire in the face of ongoing homophobia across the continent.

In Out in Africa, Chantal Zabus explores the pervasive issue of homophobia in Africa, where being openly LGBTQ+ can be perilous. Through a thorough examination of both historical and contemporary sources, she highlights the various representations of same-sex desire across the continent. Despite the prevailing belief that homosexuality is inherently 'un-African', Zabus delves into anthropological, cultural, and literary depictions of male and female same-sex relationships from the nineteenth century to the present day.

The book spans a broad geographical range, analyzing texts from Mali to South Africa and Senegal to Kenya. Zabus employs a comparative approach that incorporates two colonial languages, English and French, as well as several African languages. By tracing the evolution of Sub-Saharan African literature, she examines the works of seven colonial writers and around twenty-five postcolonial authors, revealing the increasing complexity and confidence in the representation of homosexuality as an identity rather than merely a ritualized practice.

Out in Africa charts significant developments in the portrayal of same-sex desire, from the 1860s through the rise of queer theory in the 1990s and up to 2010. Zabus identifies key texts that illustrate a shift in understanding and acceptance of homosexuality, as they evolve from subtle hints to more explicit affirmations of identity. This scholarly work not only sheds light on the literary landscape but also addresses the cultural and political contexts that challenge such representations.