The impressions of Gandhi Ji on major African writers: A study of Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and Ayi Kwei Armah

Abstract

When we think of Gandhi Ji, we have some abstract qualities in our mind like Satyagrah, Truth, Morality, Non-Violence, and Passive Resistance. Gandhi Ji was inspired by many philosophers and intellectuals like Tolstoy, John Ruskin, P.B. Shelley, Gopal Krishan Gokhale, Socrates and Mohammad and much influenced by Buddhism and Jainism as well as Bhagavad-Gita, Upnishads and Bible. South Africa was the first laboratory for Gandhi Ji to experiment his ideology and Principles. Gandhi Ji went to Africa in April 1893 and spent 21 years there. During this long span of time, he faced many challenges and led many campaigns and movement there with his principles of satyagrah and truth. Gandhi Ji himself said, “He was born in India but he was made in Africa”. Africa writers and intellectuals could not do away with the influence of Gandhi Ji directly or indirectly.