Re-creating the Literary Space of the Black Women: Trauma, Memory, and Literary Activism in Selected Works of Koleka Putuma

This article examines the forms and impacts of Koleka Putuma’s literary activism, specifically in her selected poetry, play, and installation, where she interweaves experiences and representations of trauma, memory, and empowerment. Nearly three decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa continues to grapple with the enduring shadow of its legacy. Notably, the voices of Black women often go unheard, overshadowed by dominant discourses such as Christianity and patriarchy, rendering their experiences invisible to many. Koleka Putuma, a multifaceted artist as a theatre director, playwright, performer, and poet, emerges as a prolific figure who actively seeks to redefine literary space by representing the experiences of Black women through her unique form of literary activism. In her work, she intertwines trauma, memory, and empowerment to craft narratives that challenge postcolonial societal norms and amplify unheard voices. This article argues that Putuma’s literary activism is characterized by her interlacing of trauma and memory across various genres. By focusing on Collective Amnesia (2017), No Easter for Sunday Queers (2017), and Theatre of Beauty: Imvuselelo (2023), this article explores how Putuma portrays the violence endured and the resilience shown in the face of colonial and postcolonial legacies in South Africa. By interweaving trauma, memory, and empowerment into various genres, she challenges existing discourses, amplifies marginalized, and highlights the success and failures of the resilience of Black women. Through her poetry, plays, and installations, Putuma invites audiences to confront the lasting legacies of colonialism and apartheid while offering narratives of healing and transformation.