Diaspora's river and house belonging: reflections around <i>Um rio chamado tempo, uma casa chamada terra</i>

Abstract

Reflecting on the field of diasporic studies as theoretical and interpretive bias to what is conventionally called “literature of the diaspora”, this paper aims to analyze the idea of diaspora as a theme in African narrative in Portuguese writing, as exemplified by the Mozambican novel Um rio chamado tempo, uma casa chamada terra, by Mia Couto. It will be analysed how “tradition and modernity”, a dilemmatic pair which runs through this narrative plot, coupled with the return journey theme to the birthplace features the central character as diasporic subject, as well as the marks of identity that constitute it.