CULTURAL IDENTITY IN AFRICAN FICTION: A STUDY OF TOMI ADEYEMI’S CHILDREN OF VIRTURE AND VENGEANCE AND RENI K. AMAYO’S DAUGHTERS OF NRI

In literature, cultural identity is often explore through characters navigating their heritage and the socio-political contexts they inhabit. This study analyzes the portrayal of cultural identity in Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Virtue and Vengeance and Reni K. Amayo’s Daughter of Nri, focusing on how Yoruba and Igbo mythology influence the construction of cultural identity in these novels. Grounded in postcolonial theory, the study examines the narrative techniques used by both authors to depict themes of heritage, power, and resistance. The research methodology involves a qualitative analysis of the primary texts through close reading and textual analysis, supported by Secondary sources such as scholarly articles and critical essays. The findings reveal that Adeyemi and Amayo effectively utilize elements of African mythology to create complex characters whose identities are deeply rooted in their cultural heritage. These characters struggle and triumphs reflect broader issues of power resistance, and the reclaiming of cultural identity within postcolonial African contexts. The study concludes that both novels not only celebrate African cultural heritage but also challenge the colonial narratives that have historically marginalized these identities, thereby contributing to a richer understanding of the role of fantasy fiction in African literature.