This short volume, edited and prefaced by Alain Mabanckou, brings together major authors from French-speaking black Africa. These committed poets, activists of Negritude, sing the trauma of slavery and the slave trade, the suffering of colonization, the illusions and disillusionments of the Independence of their countries, but also the "Negro values", the solidarity and fraternity of their people. Six essential voices of 20th century African poetry. - Born in Congo-Brazzaville, Alain Mabanckou lives in the United States where he teaches French-speaking literature. He is notably the author of Verre Cassé, Mémoires de porc-épic (winner of the 2006 Renaudot Prize), and Black Bazar.