The Colonizer and The Colonized
“Xala" is a film directed by Ousmane Sembène, a Senegalese film director and writer. The film is set in Senegal in the 1970s, a period of tremendous change in the country. Independence from French colonial rule had been achieved, and the country was in the process of redefining itself as a modern nation. The film takes place in the aftermath of colonialism and portrays the struggle for independence, both at a national and personal level. On a national level, the film reflects the challenges and tensions that accompanied the transition to self-rule, and the difficulties the new government faced in creating a new national identity. On a personal level, the film’s protagonist El Hadji is torn between the traditional values of his community and the new values of the postcolonial state.
Through El Hadji, a protagonist in the film, the subjects of postcolonialism and patriarchy are addressed. Sembène demonstrates how the traditional patriarchal power structures of African nations are being disrupted by the forces of modernity and globalization through his efforts to reclaim his authority and status. El Hadji's impotence is a symbol of the western imperialism and corruption that have infiltrated post-colonial Africa.
El Hadji is a successful businessman who is accustomed to getting his way in everything. He is a patriarchal figure, and his power is derived from both his riches and his position in the community. However, after marrying a third wife, he finds himself suddenly unable of engaging in sexual activity due to a condition known as "xala." This impotence is viewed as a curse, a sign of his corruption and decline in power.
"The Wretched of the Earth" by Frantz Fanon is a seminal work of anti-colonial literature that explores the impact of colonialism and oppression on the psychological and social lives of colonized peoples. Fanon, a French-Martiniquan psychiatrist, and philosopher, writes from his personal experiences and observations of the Algerian War of Independence. He argues that colonialism is not just an economic and political system, but a form of violence that dehumanizes and oppresses the colonized, leading to a fragmented and damaged sense of self.
"The Wretched of the Earth"
Fanon emphasizes the use of physical force and the imposition of cultural norms as two ways the colonizer imposes their power over the colonized. He contends that internalizing the colonizer's values and views causes the colonized person to feel inferior and hate themselves. As a result, the colonized person becomes complicit in their own oppression, which leads to an oppressive cycle that is challenging to reverse.
The movie "Xala" focuses on how the former colonial powers still have an impact and influence on Senegal after the nation has achieved independence. This is demonstrated by the continued dominance of the French language and culture in Senegal. The movie also emphasizes the part played by African elites, who have joined the neocolonial effort by supporting the goals of the former colonial countries.
In the framework of postcolonial theory and the analysis of the power dynamics between colonizer and colonized, Fanon's work is particularly important. He contends that colonialism is a psychological and cultural system as well as a political and economic one since the colonizer strives to influence and mold the ideas, beliefs, and values of the colonized. This dominance and control causes the colonized to feel inferior, hate themselves, and feel alienated, which feeds the oppressive cycle.
One of the key contributions of "The Wretched of the Earth" is Fanon's exploration of the concept of nationalism in the context of decolonization. He argues that nationalism can be a positive and empowering force in the struggle for independence, but it can also become a trap if it reinforces the same oppressive structures and power relationships that existed under colonialism. He calls for a new, anti-colonial form of nationalism that seeks to dismantle these structures and create a society based on equality and justice.
The film "Xala" powerfully examines postcolonialism and patriarchy in Africa. The influential book "The Wretched of the Earth" offers a vivid and illuminating analysis of the psychological, social, and political effects of colonialism and oppression. Both pieces serve as potent reminders of colonialism's lasting effects even after "independence" is attained.
