Mariama Bâ

Mariama Bâ was born in Dakar, Senegal in 1929. Brought up by her grandparents after the early death of her mother, Bâ's father fought to continue her education past primary school.

After winning the first prize in the entrance examintion to train as a teacher at École Normale, Bâ taught in Dakar from 1947 until 1959 and later became an educational inspector.

A vocal activist for women's rights and class equality in Africa, her literary work often criticised the lack of educational opportunities offered to women as well as challenging the systems of polygamy and castes in Senegalese society.

Mariama Bâ died in 1981.

Translated from French by Modupé Bodé-Thomas.