The Scent of the Father - Essay on the Limits of Life and Science in sub-Saharan Africa

Valentin-Yves Mudimbe is a prominent Congolese philosopher, novelist, poet, essayist, and academic who has significantly contributed to postcolonial thinking. His book "The Scent of the Father" explores the complex relationships between Africa and the West, highlighting the need for Africa to recognize and confront the Western elements in its own thought and knowledge practices. He advocates for Africa's integration into the Western myths while also addressing the impact of violence on the African psyche. This work is of utmost importance to scholars interested in colonialism, decolonization, and decoloniality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

Valentin-Yves Mudimbe, a Congolese philosopher, novelist, poet, essayist, and academic, is widely regarded as one of the most significant African thinkers of his generation. His ideas and arguments, particularly in his influential works such as "The Invention of Africa," have had a profound impact across various disciplines and solidified his status as a key postcolonial thinker.

In "The Scent of the Father," Mudimbe delves into the intricate connections between Africa and the West, exploring the influence of Western thought and knowledge practices on African thought and knowledge. He argues that for Africa to break free from the Western influence, it must become aware of the Western elements embedded in its own concepts and forms of thought. It must also be vigilant about the potential misuse of anti-Western sentiments by the West.

Mudimbe suggests that Africa must engage in a process of integrating Africans into the Western myths and narratives while simultaneously striving to readapt the African psyche in the aftermath of the violence it has experienced. This seminal work by a prominent African thinker holds immense relevance for those interested in the legacies of colonialism, the debates on decolonization and decoloniality in the social and human sciences.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 144 x 222 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509551385