Orient/Occident

"Occident" is a term for the West, traditionally comprising anything that belongs to the
Western world. It is the antonym of Orient, the Eastern world. Originally, Occident referred
to western Europe or the Western Roman Empire. The Occident (The West) is a term that is
borrowed from Latin (occidens) meaning "sunset"(It follows that the West is located
somewhere, where the sun sets).The Orient, which comes from Latin ‘oriri’ (meaning to
rise,growth,lifting,birth etc). Geographically, Orient means "where the sun rises," i.e. the
East. Occidental nations are often connected to Judaism and Christianity, which have
countries in the Americas and Western Europe. On the other hand, religions like Islam,
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Shintoism are often considered to have shaped Oriental
nations.Other features include economics, trade, technology, language, military styles,
cultural trends and movements like the Renaissance, Enlightenment and Reformation.
Occidentalism has gradually become more synonymous with Western values like democracy
and human rights, as well as wealth, individualism, modernity, and materialism. Orientalism,(
Orientalism is an academic term most associated with Edward Said (He is the most well-
known orientalist and one who has dedicated himself to the research and definition of
orientalism and the Orient). and is used in art, history, literature, geography, and cultural
studies to describe the critical representation of the East from a Western perception and bias.
He clearly states that the East has always been a European invention and that, in reality,
Europeans perceive this territory as one of romanticism, exotic beings, obsessive landscapes
and memories, and remarkable experiences) on the other hand, has become more associated
with mysticism, spiritualism and the traditional arts of ancient Asian cultures.
Eurocentricism
The term Eurocentrism describes a worldview, mindset, or rhetorical orientation that centers
on the European, or White, ways of knowing as sole, central, or superior to all others(It also
refers to the hegemony of Europe in the world superstructure.). It frames Europe as the
primary engine and architect of world history, the bearer of universal values and reason, and
the pinnacle and therefore model of progress and development.It projects ‘European’ culture
as rational,scientific and progressive and modern and ‘oriental’ (east) as
irrational,superstitious and traditional.Europe and the west were painted in terms of the
master civilization that had modernity,reason,culture and science,while the east was painted
as inferior ,which was enclosed in space,nature,religion and spirituality.The western Europen
countries were all torchbearers of the modern while the countries of the East were traditional
and backward. The European societies justified their imperial rule by arguing that
imperialism and colonialism that they had imposed on the other parts of the world was
needed to bring modernity and culture.They were regarded as the fountainhead of
knowledge ,making them more powerful which in turn is highlighted against the east(non-
west) which was traditional.The west according to Eurocentrism has unique historical
advantages like race,culture mind or spirit which gives the west a sense of superiority over
all others.
Negritude
Négritude is a framework of critique and literary theory, developed mainly by
francophone ,French-speaking black intellectuals writers, and politicians in France.It started
before the second world war and continued after the second world war.They were trying to
promote a sort of African unversalism.( aimed at raising and cultivating "Black
consciousness" across Africa and its diaspora)They held the view that the people of African
culture or descent possessed certain artistic qualities and these qualities were not only
applicable to the Africans alone but also the diasporic African communities.The writers
argued that the capabilities of these Africans should be valorised for its own sake and not in
comparison with the European counterparts. The leading founders of this movement was
Leopald Senghor,Leon Damas,Aime Cesaire,Birago Diop.The movement had huge power
beacause they were the first ones to launch their own journals,they started publishing their
own works and started promoting African culture and arts not only in France and Europe but
in the rest of the world.The writers held the view that Africans should develop.The movement
had a great impact in retrieving,publishing African works,African arts whole over the
world.According to Cesaire Negritude attempts to answer the question ‘Who are we as black
people in a White world”?The Writers promoted the idea of black pride and cultural
identity.It was also a movement of poetic revolt,fighting oppression with the artistic
expression of the lived experience of the black people.
Tinai Concepts
The Sangam Society was split into five distinct ecological zones according to ancient Tamil
literature. Each zone, had its own unique qualities.

There are five tinais:

o Kurinji – mountainous zone, Hunting and gathering, Cattle Lifting,Diety-Muruga

o Mullai – pastoral zone, Animal husbandry and small scale cultivation, Invasion,Diety-
Vishnu
o Marutam – riverine zone, Agriculture, Besieging the enemy’s fort,Diety-Indra
o Neytal – coastal zone, Fishing and salt collection, Battle,Diety-Varuna
o Palai- arid zone, Highway robbery, plundering and cattle lifting, Victory,Diety-
Korravi

Sangam literature is also broadly classified into akam(inner), and puram (outer). The ‘akam’
poetry is about emotions and feelings in the context of romantic love, sexual union and
eroticism. The ‘puram’ poetry is about exploits and heroic deeds in the context of war and
public life.

o Akam poetry are dramatic monologues. The characters of the Akam poetry are
limited. The hero and the heroine are the main characters. The Akam poems are
highly conventional. The other characters are the friend of the hero, the parents and
brothers of the heroine, the charioteer of the hero, the aides, panan, patini, velan,
dancer, bystanders, village folk and other minor characters. Some of these characters
are not vocal, but their ideas are referred to by other characters. The father and the
brother of the heroine remain mute participants. There is almost no mention of the
hero’s parents.
o The Puram poetry covers all areas of experience related to the socio-political life of
ancient Tamils. It also includes in it the ripe experience of wise men and saints. It
ranges over vast thematic landscapes of praises of heroic exploits, just rule of kings
and their munificent patronage of bards and poets and other groups of suppliants. The
 Puram poems form the main source of information for writing the social history of the
Tamils.

Third World

In postcolonial theory, the term "Third World" originated to describe countries that
were neither aligned with the capitalist First World nor the communist Second World
during the Cold War. It has since evolved to address the socio-economic and political
challenges faced by formerly colonized nations, emphasizing issues such as poverty,
exploitation, and cultural identity. Critics argue that the term oversimplifies diverse
realities and reinforces a hierarchical worldview, leading to the preference for terms
like Global South or developing nations in more contemporary discussions. Several
theorists have contributed significantly to the understanding of postcolonial issues and
the experiences of Third World nations. Here are a few key figures:

Frantz Fanon: Known for his work on the psychological effects of colonization, particularly
in "The Wretched of the Earth."

Edward Said: His book "Orientalism" critically examines Western representations of the East,
influencing postcolonial studies.

Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak: Notable for her essay "Can the Subaltern Speak?" which
discusses the representation of marginalized voices.

Chinua Achebe: Though primarily a novelist, his work, especially "Things Fall Apart,"
addresses the impact of colonialism on African societies.

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o: Advocates for decolonizing the mind and promoting African languages
in literature.

Mimicry in Postcolonialism

Mimicry, in postcolonial theory, refers to the process by which colonized individuals imitate
or adopt the cultural practices, behaviors, and norms of the colonizers. Homi K. Bhabha
introduced the concept, highlighting how mimicry can be a form of resistance and negotiation
within the power dynamics of colonial relationships. It involves a complex interplay between
imitation and subversion, allowing the colonized to navigate their identity in the colonial
context.
Homi K. Bhabha is a key theorist associated with the concept of mimicry in postcolonial
theory. In his work, particularly in "Of Mimicry and Man," he explores how mimicry
operates as a strategy for colonized individuals to negotiate their identities within the colonial
encounter. Frantz Fanon, another influential postcolonial theorist, also discusses aspects of
mimicry in his writings, shedding light on the psychological effects of colonialism on both
the colonized and the colonizers. These theorists have played a significant role in shaping
discussions around mimicry and its implications in postcolonial contexts.