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African literature is literature from Africa, either oral or written in African and Afro-Asiatic languages. Examples of pre-colonial African literature can be traced back to at least the fourth century AD. The best-known is the Kebra Negast, or "Book of Kings." A common theme in traditional African folklore is the small animal which tricks larger creatures in order to survive. Examples include Anansi, a spider in the folklore of the Ashanti people; Ijàpá, a tortoise in Yoruba folklore; and Sungura, a hare found in central and East African folklore. Other pre-colonial works are abundant, especially from the Sahel regions and on the Swahili coast.
A common theme during the colonial period is the slave narrative, often written in English or French for western audiences. Among the first pieces of African literature to receive significant worldwide critical acclaim was Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, published in 1958. African literature in the late colonial period increasingly feature themes of liberation and independence.
Post colonial literature has become increasingly diverse, with some writers returning to their native languages. Common themes include the clash between past and present, tradition and modernity, self and community, as well as politics and development. On the whole, female writers are today far better represented in African literature than they were prior to independence. The internet has also changed the landscape of African literature, leading to the rise of digital reading and publishing platforms like OkadaBooks.