Literature, The Environment, And Culture In Novel Kaïdara by Amadou Hampâté Bâ’s
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25077/majis.8.2.172-195.2026Keywords:
malian literature, environment, culture, ecocriticism, cultural anthropologyAbstract
This study aims to examine the relationship between literature, the environment, and culture in Amadou Hampâté Bâ’s novel Kaïdara by exploring how the author utilizes elements of Mali’s natural environment - such as the desert, savanna, animals, plants, and water - to construct a cultural and spiritual vision that reflects the identity of Malian society. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method, utilizing concepts from ecocriticism and cultural anthropology to analyze the novel’s text. The results indicate that the environment is not merely a setting for events but serves as a fundamental element in shaping characters, values, customs, and the beliefs of the community. This novel also plays a role in preserving cultural memory through the integration of oral traditions with environmental symbols. Furthermore, this study affirms that the relationship between humans and nature in the novel is built on a foundation of respect and balance, making this work an important representation of African environmental literature.
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