DYNAMICS OF ECO-AESTHETICS IN POSTMODERN AFRICAN DRAMA: FOCUSON AMA ATA AIDOO’S ANOWA

Abstract

Ama Ata Aidoo’s Anowa is an exploration of cultural transformation, economic ambitionandecological consequences of human actions. Rooted in Ghanaian oral tradition, the play highlightsthe intersection of environment, tradition and modernity. This study examines the playthroughthe postmodernist lens of ecological aesthetics, analyzing the deployment of setting, symbolism, and character interactions to reflect environmental concerns and eco-sustainability. Drawingfrom ecocriticism and performance studies, the research investigates the play’s portrayal ofecological disruptions caused by colonialism, capitalism and individual ambition. The studyemploys a qualitative methodology, using textual analysis to interpret performance aesthetics andhow they relate with the discourse of ecology and preservation of the global lifeworld. Thefindings reveal that the play critiques the exploitation of both natural and human resources, symbolized by Anowa’s tragic fate and the deterioration of communal harmony. The studyfurther establishes that Aidoo’s use of poetic dialogues, traditional storytelling techniques, anddramatic space enhances the ecological consciousness embedded in the text. The researchconcludes that Anowa serves as an artistic warning against unchecked economic expansionat thecost of environmental and cultural sustainability. Its contribution lies in highlighting Aidoo’secological vision within African dramaturgy, extending beyond feminist and postcolonial
readings of the text. The study recommends that future theatrical productions of Anowashouldintegrate environmental performance strategies, such as eco-friendly staging elements, not just
for aesthetic purposes but to also enhance the tenets of sustainability in contemporarydramaturgy and reinforce its ecological themes. This research underscores the need for Africandrama to actively engage in environmental discourse, promoting sustainability through theatrical
expression.