Poetry, Literature, and Structural Barriers for African Philosophies

Boni began by reflecting on the distinctions between literary genres, particularly emphasizing the specificity of poetry. Unlike short stories or novels, which follow structured narrative arcs and are oriented towards plot and development, poetry, for Boni, is a space of imaginative engagement and philosophical reflection without a primarily narrative structure. She noted that poetry allows for the expression of emotional and experiential depth, and she positioned it as being closer to philosophy than other literary forms—not because it seeks to argue, but because it involves a search for understanding that emerges through language, rhythm, and introspection. She also noted the complexity of writing philosophical texts, especially when philosophical language itself sometimes struggles to capture what poetry can articulate through metaphor and affect. For Boni, poetry is not an intellectual game but an existential practice, grounded in bodily and sensory perception as well as inner experience.

Literature and Environmental Justice

Boni spoke in detail about her 2022 novel Sans parole ni poignée de main, which centers on an incident of toxic waste dumping in Abidjan by a European shipping vessel. She described the novel as a multi-layered narrative that addresses environmental injustice and political complicity without adopting an overtly philosophical tone. Rather than writing a political essay, she chose the form of fiction to explore the social and personal dimensions of the event. The novel is structured around the reflections of a middle-class character who observes and narrates life in his neighborhood, thereby weaving together multiple voices and stories into a broader narrative of social critique. The difficulties of publishing the novel, particularly in the French literary market, underscored the risks associated with politically engaged literature from Africa.

Oral Traditions and Indigenous Knowledge

The conversation turned to the rich oral traditions of Ivory Coast and their philosophical significance. Boni emphasized that proverbs, stories, and ritual forms convey ethical and epistemological insight and should be recognized as philosophical resources in their own right. She reflected on how her own writing draws on these oral traditions, even when she writes in French, and she highlighted the ways in which local expressions and untranslatable concepts continue to shape her philosophical and poetic imagination.

“When I was in school, we didn’t speak any local language—only French. That is a problem. Now many young people don’t know their own languages [… ] In my poetry, I sometimes use local words without translation because some things just cannot be translated. Like ‘pomu’—it’s something like a spirit that protects you and stays with you your whole life.”
— Tanella Boni

Boni noted that while some proverbs and stories have been documented by missionary and academic institutions, much of this oral knowledge remains untranslated and marginalized. She welcomed ongoing efforts at Ivorian universities to develop written systems for local languages and to translate oral traditions into accessible formats

Multilingualism and Cultural Intersections

Boni described her upbringing in a multilingual and multicultural environment, where it was common to move between several Ivorian languages and French. She explained that this linguistic complexity informs not only her literary voice but also her philosophical orientation. While she received formal philosophical training in France, her worldview is shaped equally by Ivorian cultural practices, linguistic forms, and local concepts. She acknowledged the enduring influence of French literary traditions—especially surrealist and resistance poetry—on her work. Yet she also stressed that these influences coexist with African forms of perception, such as the emphasis on seeing and hearing beyond the surface of things, a recurring theme in her poetry.

Publishing, Distribution, and Structural Barriers

A central concern raised during the talk was the limited infrastructure for the publication and circulation of African philosophical and literary work. Boni spoke candidly about the difficulties she has faced in publishing her work through French presses, where authors often lose control over translation rights and receive little support for international distribution. She cited examples of prize-winning books that remain virtually unknown outside of Ivory Coast. She advocated for the establishment of more equitable and collaborative publication models, such as open-access platforms and book exchange programs, to improve the visibility and accessibility of African literature and philosophy.

Gender, Solidarity, and the Conditions of Thought

Boni also spoke to the feminist and social justice dimensions of her work, drawing inspiration from writers such as Virginia Woolf and Audre Lorde. She discussed the importance of having time and space for intellectual and creative work, particularly for women writers and philosophers operating in demanding social contexts. She highlighted gender as a topic deserving sustained philosophical attention, especially from Francophone African perspectives, and expressed openness to collaborative projects on this theme. In response to questions from the GloPhi team about how solidarity might be practically enacted, Boni emphasized the importance of material support for African researchers—including funding for conference travel and translation—as well as ongoing collaboration in the form of joint publications and knowledge exchange.