Anglo-African culture in focus
Ruwini Jayawardana
Having translated many internationally acclaimed books by reputed
authors Senaratne Weerasinghe has taken on a task which he had not tried
his hand at before. He had translated a piece of Anglo-African writing.
 Titled 'Sura Lolayage Viparatha Apadanaya' the novel is a translation
of Amos Tutuola's 'The Palm-wine Drunkard'. Since the local readers are
not quite familiar with African literature the, the translator had
included a forward at the beginning of the novel which introduces them
to the special features and ideologies concerning the subject.
He had quoted well known Nigerian novelist and poet Chinua Achebe in
his comment about what comprises African literature. Like most of the
traditional texts, African stories too were popularised orally. They
embody descriptions which relate the everyday lifestyle and traditions
of a society which may seem alien to us at first but later, through
understanding the mindset of the characters, derives a certain meaning.
We are able to link with these people and admire the richness of their
culture and traditions while being awestruck by their practices.
Mythology too plays a prominent role in the African context as we see
the protagonist seeking the help of supernatural elements to find a palm
wine maker for him. Humour and satire are a plenty as we see the pains
which he take to track down the spirit of his palm wine maker so he can
enjoy drinking wine all day again.
Significantly we are told that the friends who associated with him
during the days when wine flowed in rivers at his home turned a blind
eye or merely acknowledged him from afar and moved on. This not only
raises a few laughs but also makes us realize that this nature of
mankind is universal in any given context. Most people seek other's
companionship when lady luck smiles on them while they abandon them once
misfortune rules their existence.
Senaratne has penned all these aspects and many more in simple and
colloquial terms. This is a treat for all those who have a taste for
something alien. 'Sura Lolayage Viparatha Apadanaya' makes an
interesting read for it relates many aspects of the Anglo-African
lifestyle as well as enriches your mind on the nature of men from
another part of the world.
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