International Journal of Literature and Arts 2020; 8(6): 326-334 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijla doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20200806.14 ISSN: 2331-0553 (Print); ISSN: 2331-057X (Online) Deconstructing Sexuality and Xenophobia in Africa: A Critical Discourse on The Thing Around Your Neck and Under the Udala Tree Elisabeth Noumbouwo Mimiafou Ayuk-Etang, Charlotte Munge Department of English and Cultural Studies, The University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon Email address: To cite this article: Elisabeth Noumbouwo Mimiafou Ayuk-Etang, Charlotte Munge. Deconstructing Sexuality and Xenophobia in Africa: A Critical Discourse on The Thing Around Your Neck and Under the Udala Tree. International Journal of Literature and Arts. Vol. 8, No. 6, 2020, pp. 326-334. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20200806.14 Received: November 3, 2020; Accepted: November 20, 2020; Published: December 4, 2020 Abstract: This study demonstrates that prejudices towards homosexuals in Africa are stifling. Such bigotries stem from deeply rooted African traditional beliefs, and partly from the “ideals” of adopted religions. It is, therefore, unlikely for conformists of heterosexuality to experience resistance and homophobic tendencies. Adherents to this view include Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Chinelo Okparanta in there texts The Thing Around Your Neck and Under the Udala Tree respectively. These writers also hold that restraints, constraints and exclusion of all sorts form the caucus of xenophobia towards homosexuality in Africa. The paper argues that, homosexuality is not strictly a global northern issue; but also, an African phenomenon, even though it meets with unprecedented resentment and resistance due to received religions and socio- cultural stereotypes. The objective of this study is to examine, interpret, and analyze the texts, and showcase the deplorable attitude of Africans towards LGBT practitioners. The analytical framework is based on indebt examination of the tests, using Queer and Deconstructionist perspectives as theoretical constructs. The study reveals that no form of sexuality is superior to another, as a result, no form should be encourage or discourage, because sexuality is innate. Also, heterosexuality is seemingly a sexual preference in Africa, but wrapped – up in a cluster of homosexuality which existence is behind the scene in Africa. Keywords: Homosexuality, Xenophobia, Deconstruction, Africa, Critical Discourse 1. Introduction Homosexuality dates from the first recorded instance of same-sex love and sexuality of ancient civilizations, involving the history of lesbians, gay, bisexuals and transgender peoples and cultures around the world. Homosexuality was the term that was used to describe non heterosexuals, and this term carried a lot of negative connotations. The term was later replaced by homophile in the 1950s and gay in the 1970s. In the 1960s, the term sexual minority was adopted as an analogy to the term ethnic minority due to the negative connotation the term “homosexuality” conveyed (http://www.wsch.eu>lgbt- history). [1] Eventually, homosexuality becomes an umbrella term that englobes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) which is evidently against the traditional religious norm of African sexuality. Sexuality to most Africans is observably not a topic for public debate because it is a private affair which is practiced and discussed behind closed doors. [15] LGBT practice is timidly discussed in Africa because it is considered a taboo and an aberration against culture, religion and laws in Africa. This paper focuses on Africans’ attitude towards LGBT practitioners as exhibited in Chimamanda Ngozi’s The Thing Around Your Neck and Chinelo Okparanta’s Under the Udala Tree. It is built on the assumption that Africans tend to reject homosexuality, though it is deeply rooted in certain parts of the continent. As a result, the practitioners experience violence and other challenges which inhibit their individuality and personality. Adichie and Okparanta record LGBT practices in some parts of Africa. In the narratives, the practitioners suffer from unprecedented stigmatization, societal stereotypes and xenophobic tendencies. Laws have