Mamoussé Diagne Explores Oral vs Written Logic in African Archival Traditions

In an essay for Afterall Journal Issue 53, Senegalese philosopher Mamoussé Diagne examines the conflict between oral and written logics at the heart of the archive, focusing on traditional African knowledge systems. Drawing on Michel Foucault's concept of the archive as 'the law of what can be said,' Diagne argues that traditional African civilizations are fundamentally oral, using dramatization, metaphor, and storytelling as mnemonic and pedagogical tools. He contrasts this with the graphic reason of writing, which enables public debate and knowledge dissemination, as exemplified by Socrates' open teaching in the agora. Diagne highlights the role of initiation and secrecy in oral cultures, citing texts like the Fula Kaidara and Koumen, where knowledge is tiered and guarded. He critiques the initiatory institution for fossilizing knowledge, following Cheikh Anta Diop's claim that African initiatory traditions degraded quasi-scientific thought. Diagne calls for a critical reappropriation of African heritage, demythifying oral traditions while preserving their pedagogical value. The essay is part of a journal issue themed 'Medium/Metaphor/Milieu,' and also includes contributions by Luis Jacob on Toronto's art scene and Yuk Hui & Adeena Mey on the cybernetisation of exhibitions.