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Paper short abstract:

Texts influenced by Pan-Africanism and Negritude have long championed the idea of African diaspora members returning to the continent. However, a stark disparity often exists between the notion of home and the harsh realities they encounter on returning.

Paper long abstract:

The theme of return migration runs through the works of various generations of African writers. Texts influenced by Pan-Africanism and Negritude have long championed the idea of African diaspora members returning to the continent to contribute to its development. However, a stark disparity often exists between the romanticised notion of home held by some African migrants in the global north and the harsh realities they encounter on returning. This contrast is exemplified through the experiences of Sissie, the protagonist in Our Sister Killjoy, who passionately advocates for Africans in Europe to return and aid in developing their nations. Yet, her idealised vision of return sharply diverges from the sobering reality Kehinde faces in Buchi Emecheta's novel of the same name.

Returning to one's homeland is frequently marked by ambivalence and disillusionment, as the lofty aspirations and dreams nurtured abroad clash with the often challenging reality back home. This paper comparatively analyses the two novels, Our Sister Killjoy and Kehinde, to show the complexities of return migration. Moreover, the texts highlight how the distance from home can lead to an idealised perception of it, a place of perfection that may not align with its reality. Both Aidoo and Emecheta's novels underscore the intricate interplay between individual hopes, collective societal expectations, and the actual challenges that shape the experience of return migrants.