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Wangrin and Amkoullel offer two different approaches to colonial life by Amadou Hampâté Bâ: fiction and memoir. A Spirit of Tolerance turns towards spirituality through Tierno Bokar’s biography. The Lieutenant of Kouta offers a tragicomic veteran’s return to village life on the brink of independence. Yambo Ouologuem’s Bound to Violence presents a much more violent and confrontational vision of African history. Oral literature is also represented by Kaïdara and the complete Son-Jara epic as performed by Malian griot Fa-Digi Sisòkò.
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A resourceful interpreter's fortunes expose the workings of French colonial rule.
Original title: L’Étrange Destin de Wangrin
Indiana University Press
Translated by Aina Pavolini Taylor
Edition source ↗
A violent counter-epic traces the fictional kingdom of Nakem and successive systems of domination.
Original title: Le Devoir de violence
Memories of youth reveal family, education and social transformation under colonial rule.
Original title: Amkoullel, l’enfant peul
Duke University Press
Translated by Jeanne Garane
Edition source ↗
A decorated French army veteran returns to Kouta and struggles to find a place in village life.
Original title: Le Lieutenant de Kouta
Michigan State University Press
Translated by Shane Auerbach i David Yost
Edition source ↗
A biography and account of Tierno Bokar’s teaching explore Sufi spirituality and an ethic of tolerance.
Original title: Vie et enseignement de Tierno Bokar, le sage de Bandiagara
World Wisdom
Edition source ↗Three travellers seek wealth and knowledge in a Fulani initiation tale.
A complete Malian recitation of the epic of the Mali Empire’s founder, with English translation.
Sources on authors and their connections to this country. Specific edition details appear beside each book. Polish and English originals are not labelled as translations.