Drawing on ethnography and his own poetic intuition, Senghor contrasts European “analytic reason” with African “intuitive reason.” For Senghor, the European mode grasps the world by dissecting it, while the African mode grasps it through participation —feeling into the object, embracing rhythm, and recognizing an élan vital (vital force) that connects all beings. This is not anti-rational; it is supra-rational . It is the kind of knowing found in art, dance, and myth.
Negritude was a powerful literary and philosophical movement that emerged in the early 20th century, challenging dominant Western cultural norms and promoting a more inclusive and expansive understanding of humanism. Through its emphasis on African cultural heritage, black pride and identity, and universal humanism, Negritude provided a new perspective on human experience, one that recognized the diversity of cultures and experiences. As a humanism of the twentieth century, Negritude continues to inspire and challenge us today, offering a powerful vision of a more just and equitable society. negritude a humanism of the twentieth century pdf download
How do we maintain our cultural specificity in a globalized world? Drawing on ethnography and his own poetic intuition,
Here is the essay’s climax. The 20th century, Senghor observes, is marked by two world wars, the Holocaust, and the atomic bomb—all products of a Europe that divorced reason from emotion, technique from ethics. The West, he claims, has reached an impasse: hyper-rationalism without heart leads to destruction. Negritude was a powerful literary and philosophical movement
Before diving into the essay, one must understand the man behind the philosophy. Senghor was born in 1906 in Joal, French West Africa (now Senegal). As a brilliant student, he traveled to Paris on a scholarship, becoming the first African agrégé (a highly competitive teaching certification) in French grammar. In Paris, he co-founded the alongside Aimé Césaire (from Martinique) and Léon Damas (from French Guiana).
Senghor’s ultimate vision was the , a future global culture where all races and civilizations contribute their unique values as equals.