Abstract
This paper explores the representation of lesbian-self and the intersections of multiple identities in Nkunzi Zandile Nkabinde's Black Bull, Ancestors and Me: My Life as a Lesbian Sangoma and Unoma Azuah's Embracing My Shadow: Growing up Lesbian in Nigeria. Anchored in queer theory, particularly the concept of intersectionality as theorised by Kimberlé Crenshaw, the paper interrogates how sexuality, spirituality, gender, culture and national identity coalesce in shaping the lesbian experience in Southern and West African contexts. Queer theory, which challenges heteronormative assumptions and embraces fluidity in gender and sexual identities, provides the lens for this critique. Intersectionality is deployed to understand how overlapping identities—such as being black, African, lesbian, female, and spiritual—contribute to unique experiences of marginalisation and resistance. The qualitative approach adopted utilises close textual analysis to examine the diverse self-representations and cultural negotiations by both authors. Nkabinde's narrative foregrounds the tension between traditional spirituality and sexual identity, offering insight into the complexities of being a lesbian sangoma in a society that spiritualises but simultaneously stigmatises non heteronormative sexualities. Similarly, Azuah's memoir explores the burden of silence, shame and internal conflict within a hyper-religious and patriarchal Nigerian context, foregrounding how lesbian identity is both contested and self-affirming. By analysing these autobiographical texts, the paper reveals how the authors assert agency through storytelling and negotiate their identities within oppressive socio-cultural and spiritual frameworks. The paper contributes to African queer discourses by centring marginalised voices that challenge monolithic representations of African womanhood and sexuality. Evidently, it affirms literature as a vital site for identity reclamation and socio-political critique.
Introduction
Queer identities in Africa remain a contested subject, often entangled in socio-cultural, religious, and political discourses that seek to marginalise non-heteronormative expressions of gender and sexuality.The exploration of queer identities in African literature has gained increasing scholarly attention, particularly in the wake of evolving discourses on gender and sexuality. While discussions on African queer identities often revolve around the tension between traditional cultural norms and Western conceptions of LGBTQ+ rights, it is imperative to recognise that African queer identities are not merely reactive but are shaped by complex intersections of culture, religion, gender, and spirituality. Queer theory, as a critical framework, provides the necessary lens to analyse these narratives, particularly through the concept of intersectionality, as introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1991). Intersectionality highlights how multiple social categorisations—such as race, gender, and sexuality—intersect to create systems of oppression or privilege (Crenshaw, 1991, pp. 139 167). Applying this theoretical perspective to African lesbian narratives provides a diverse understanding of how identity is negotiated in diverse socio-cultural settings.
Content
In this regard, the autobiographical texts Black Bull, Ancestors and Me: My Life as a Lesbian Sangoma by Nkunzi Zandile Nkabinde and Embracing My Shadow: Growing up Lesbian in Nigeria by Unoma Azuah serve as critical case studies. Both narratives foreground the lived realities of African lesbians who navigate multiple, and at times, conflicting identities. Nkabinde, as a South African lesbian and traditional healer (sangoma), embodies an intersection of spiritual and sexual identities that challenges rigid societal binaries. Her life story accentuates the dynamic interplay between indigenous spirituality and non-conforming sexual identities, illustrating that African spiritual tradition in some cases, accommodates queerness (Nkabinde, 2008, p, 56). Azuah, on the other hand, presents a compelling narrative of growing up as a lesbian in Nigeria, a country where same-sex relationships are criminalised and deeply stigmatised (Azuah, 2020, p. 100). Her memoir illustrates the layered struggles of negotiating sexual identity within the confines of patriarchal and religious dogma. Apparently, the comparative discourse on the selected literary texts foregrounds the importance of intersectionality in shaping the representation of lesbian identity within literature. Black Bull, Ancestors and Me: My Life as a Lesbian Sangoma emphasises the intersections of spirituality, culture, and sexuality in the protagonist's journey of self-discovery, and portrays the unique challenges and triumphs of navigating multiple marginalised identities. On the other hand, Embracing My Shadow: Growing up Lesbian in Nigeria foregrounds the intersections of sexuality and gender, exploring the protagonist's experiences of self-acceptance and empowerment within the context of feminist consciousness and gender identity.
Conclusion
The exploration of the lesbian-self through the lens of intersectionality reveals the complexity and fluidity of lesbian identities in African contexts, where multiple layers of oppression and resilience intersect. Drawing on Queer theory with specific emphasis on Kimberlé Crenshaw's concept of intersectionality, this paper has shown how African lesbian identities are shaped by the interconnected forces of colonial histories, religious dogma, cultural traditions, gender expectations, and economic realities. The narratives of Nkabinde and Azuah serve as critical examples of how these forces are negotiated, contested and resisted. In Nkunzi's case, the convergence of spirituality and sexuality provides a path to self-acceptance and cultural reclamation, while Unoma's journey demonstrates the psychological and emotional complexities of navigating lesbian identity within a religiously conservative Nigerian context. Both authors illustrate the transformative power of reclaiming space within these intersecting structures, providing valuable insights into how African lesbians carve out their existence despite societal rejection.Ultimately, the lesbian-self, as a conceptual entity, is not merely defined by sexual orientation but is a product of the intersection of various identities that shape and inform the experiences of African lesbians. Intersectionality provides a critical framework for understanding the diverse realities of these individuals, emphasising the need for an inclusive and multi-faceted discussions within African queer studies. The continued marginalisation of lesbian voices and experiences in both academic and socio-political spheres calls for ongoing resistance and affirmation, making it essential to foreground intersectional approaches that embrace the diversity and complexity of African lesbian identities. As the works of Nkabinde and Azuah demonstrate, the lesbian-self is not simply a site of oppression but a dynamic space of agency, resilience, and resistance.
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Antiracist Politics”. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139–167.
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Violence Against Women of Color”. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241–1299.
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