Ecofeminism in Selected Works of First Generation Nigerian Female Writers

Abstract

The growing interest in literary works has attracted diverse approaches in scholarship. The goal of 
ecofeminism is the quest for equality for women and environmental justice. The central argument of 
ecofeminism asserts the connection between the oppression and subordination of women and of nature. 
The paper examines ecofeminism from the perspective of a culture-centered approach, where 
ecofeminism view the ecosphere as a binary entity comprising men/women and nature/culture. Thus, the 
study transcends gender and nature, to the human connections with environmental issues and culture; 
where patriarchal structures are challenged and transformations are achieved. Varying forms of 
oppression, subjugation, conflicts of motherhood, tradition and environment are explored. Selected 
works of first-generation female writers deployed for the study include, Flora Nwapa's Efuru, Zaynab 
Alkali's Invisible Borders and Zulu Sofola's Wedlock of the gods. These literary works are selected for their 
thematic affinity with women and ecology and the literary works were written in consonance with 
colonial discourse and imperialism. Significantly, this study reveals the need to rethink the environment in 
African history, from new perspectives by conceptualizing woman/nature and culture/nature 
connections, beginning from earlier works of Nigerian female writers. Qualitative research methods, via 
a close reading and critical textual analysis, are adopted for the study. The paper concludes that 
environmental challenges in Nigeria are situated on patriarchal structures and early Nigerian female 
writers devised libratory strategies to address them in their discourses.