Urban Imaginaries in Djibouti's Contemporary African Literature: A Feminist Exploration

Urbanization in Djibouti has accelerated over recent decades, influencing various aspects of society including literature. This study employed a qualitative approach to analyse selected literary works published within the last two decades. The analysis was guided by theoretical frameworks pertinent to African feminism and urban studies. The findings reveal a significant focus on themes such as gender roles, economic challenges, and cultural preservation in Djiboutian urban spaces, with women authors often highlighting these issues from personal experiences and observations. The study contributes by offering nuanced insights into the representation of urban life in contemporary Djibouti literature through a feminist lens, providing a deeper understanding of the interplay between gender and urban development in this context. Future research could benefit from incorporating more diverse voices and exploring how different genres of literature contribute to our understanding of urban imaginaries in Djibouti.