Negritude: meaning, definitions and examples

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negritude

 

[ ˈneɡrɪˌtjuːd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

cultural movement

Negritude is a literary and cultural movement that emerged in the 1930s among French-speaking African and Caribbean intellectuals. It celebrates black culture, identity, and values, seeking to reclaim the dignity of black people in the face of colonial racism. Negritude highlights the beauty of African heritage, emphasizing communal values over individualism. The movement influenced not just literature, but also politics and philosophy, fostering a sense of pride in African identity and heritage. Notable figures associated with Negritude include Léopold Sédar Senghor, Aimé Césaire, and Léon Damas.

Synonyms

African solidarity, black consciousness, cultural nationalism.

Examples of usage

  • Negritude emphasizes the richness of African culture.
  • The Negritude movement was pivotal in shaping post-colonial identity.
  • Writers of Negritude expressed pride in black heritage.

Translations

Translations of the word "negritude" in other languages:

🇵🇹 negritude

🇮🇳 नेग्रोइडिटी

🇩🇪 Negritude

🇮🇩 negritude

🇺🇦 негритуд

🇵🇱 negritude

🇯🇵 ネグリチュード

🇫🇷 négritude

🇪🇸 negritud

🇹🇷 negritude

🇰🇷 네그리튜드

🇸🇦 النيغريتيود

🇨🇿 negritude

🇸🇰 negritude

🇨🇳 黑人文化

🇸🇮 negritude

🇮🇸 negritude

🇰🇿 негритуд

🇬🇪 ნეგრიტუდი

🇦🇿 negritude

🇲🇽 negritud

Etymology

The term 'Negritude' was coined by Aimé Césaire in his 1939 poem 'Cahier d'un retour au pays natal' ('Notebook of a Return to My Native Land'). It was developed as a reaction to the colonial attitudes that devalued African culture and identity. Césaire, along with Léopold Sédar Senghor and Léon Damas, articulated the experiences and consciousness of black people, primarily in a French colonial context. Negritude draws from African heritage, folklore, and traditions, aiming to promote solidarity among black individuals globally. The movement sought to redefine black identity by celebrating its uniqueness and contributions to world culture. Negritude became a significant influence not only in literature but also in political movements advocating for independence and racial pride in the mid-20th century.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,504, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.