The Travail Of Barren Woman In African Society
[A Study Of Adebayo Abayomi’s and Buchi Emecheta]

1.1 Background of the study

This study aimed to evaluate the Travail of the African woman: Reflection of Adebayo Abayomi's Stay With Me and  Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo's The Last of the Strong Ones. These writers use fiction to express African female oppression emanating from patriarchy and colonialism. The writers realized the need for an agency to speak out on behalf of other women to dissolve their subjugation so that both genders can contribute equally in the family and public spheres. Their construction of literary voices is a way of discussing and sabotaging the patriarchal society of oppression. Kivai (2010) states that African female writers like Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Ama Ata Aidoo, Akachi Adimora among others, have written stories seeking to eliminate women’s marginal positions, and that their texts give the courage to the readers to expose subjugation and inequality . It is the aim of these writers to pronounce that there should be economic, social and political equality between men and women. 

In furtherance of the argument on the importance of women writing about the female experience in literary texts, Aidoo (1996) submits that, ?Women writers write about women because when we wake up in the morning and look in the mirror we see women”.

Many female writers try to bring into focus their femaleness/femininity and personal experiences in their narratives and in doing so highlight power differences between men and women. As a result, women scholars and activists have pioneered a literary canon built on sexual politics aimed at stamping gender and feminism into both criticism and theory. This is with the aim  of replacing a tradition that is viewed as masculine and domineering by female critics like Showalter (1985). She maintains that gender has become an analytic category whether the concerns are representation of sexual difference, (re)shaping masculinity, building feminine values or exclusion of female voice from the literary canon.

Gender stereotype is the attribution of character traits, behaviours and social roles to men and women in society. Women suffer most as a result of gender stereotypes, because often time positive characteristics are attributed to men whereas negative ones are attributed to women and this implies subtle gender inequality, sexism, and discrimination against women.

An African woman wants to escape the home confinement and exercise power and authority in her society so that she can actively participate in the public sphere. It is advantageous to have autonomous power because one can reach desired goals. For this reason, some women writers, as part of the “dominated individuals or groups are in perpetual search for forms of resistances, consciously and unconsciously, actively and passively” (Odiemo-Munara, 2008, p. 3). 

Male dominance over women is revealed in the family set-up and how cultures and traditions are prearranged. This has resulted in depriving women access to power to exercise their actualities by contributing to the social, economic and political spheres. Some women have been limited to household roles of being mothers and wives so their contribution to the public sphere has been minimal. However, Kabira and Burkeywo (2016) state that African women have been speaking for themselves through literature, and in this way they validate the meanings of being female. Their literature can no longer be ignored, therefore their contributions started to be appreciated. In their fictional works, they exhibit the changing roles of African women in their effort to reach self-actualisation and contribute to discourses on marriage, love, motherhood and nation building by bringing their experiences to the mainstream discourses and offering new perspectives (Kabira & Burkeywo, 2016, p. 26). 

It is against this background that the present study seeks to examine the travail of the African woman: reflection of Adebayo Abayomi's stay with me and  Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo's the last of the strong ones

1.2 Bibliograpghy of the Authors

1.2.1Ayobami Adebayo

Ayobami Adebayo’s stories have appeared in a number of magazines and anthologies, and one was highly commended in the 2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition. She holds BA and MA degrees in literature in English from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, and has worked as an editor for Saraba Magazine since 2009. Adebayo also has an MA in creative writing from the University of East Anglia, where she was awarded an international bursary for creative writing. She has received fellowships and residencies from Ledig House, Sinthian Cultural Centre, Hedgebrook, Ox-Bow School of Art, Ebedi Hills and the Siena Art Institute. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria.

1.2.2 Buchi Emecheta

Buchi Emecheta (1944-2017) was a Nigerian-British author known for her prolific and influential literary works, particularly in the genre of African and feminist literature. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and her early life was marked by adversity and struggle. Emecheta's writings often reflected her experiences as a Nigerian woman navigating issues of gender, race, identity, and immigration.

Some key points about Buchi Emecheta's life and literary career include:

1. Early Life and Education: Emecheta was born on July 21, 1944, in Lagos, Nigeria. She was the fifth of nine children in her family. Her early years were characterized by poverty, and she had to overcome many obstacles to pursue her education. She eventually earned a scholarship to the University of London, where she studied Sociology and Child Psychology.

2. Immigration to the United Kingdom: In 1962, Buchi Emecheta left Nigeria to join her husband in London, where he was studying. Her experiences as an immigrant in the UK profoundly influenced her writing, as she grappled with issues of cultural identity and the clash between traditional Nigerian values and Western influences.

3. Literary Career: Emecheta's literary career began with her first novel, "In the Ditch" (1972), which was based on her experiences as a struggling single mother in London. She went on to write numerous novels, including "Second-Class Citizen" (1974), "The Bride Price" (1976), "The Joys of Motherhood" (1979), and "The Rape of Shavi" (1983), among others. Her works are celebrated for their exploration of women's roles and challenges in African and diaspora communities.

4. Feminist Themes: Emecheta's novels are often considered feminist literature, as they delve into the complex dynamics of gender inequality, domestic violence, and the quest for female empowerment. She was an advocate for women's rights and empowerment, and her works inspired discussions about gender issues in African societies.

5. Recognition and Awards: Buchi Emecheta received recognition for her contributions to literature and feminism. Her novel "The Joys of Motherhood" is one of her most acclaimed works and has been widely studied. She received the New Statesman Jock Campbell Award for this novel in 1979.

6. Legacy: Emecheta's literary legacy continues to influence contemporary writers, scholars, and readers interested in African literature, feminism, and immigrant experiences. Her works have been translated into several languages and are taught in academic settings worldwide.