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CULTURE

IVORY COST: Aminata Traore: “I wanted to share my pain, my revolt and my hope!”

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Aminata Traore, better known by her pen name Hamitraore is the author of two novels. LE COUTEAU BRULANT published in 2012 by Frat-Mat Édition and CACHEE DERRIERE LE MUR, published in 2016 by Éditions Harmattan. After graduate studies in modern literature, Hamitraoré turned to humanitarian work by working with national and international non-governmental organizations. She is now president of the GNITRESOR Foundation, which aims to mobilize resources to organize conferences in schools around the concept “the book as a means of raising awareness”. Our guest is very involved in the fight against FGM.

Ze-Africanews.com: Your first work, The burning knife, has as its theme, excision. A practice of which you have been victim, as more than 38% of Ivorian women in 2016, according to the figures of the Minister for the Advancement of Women, the family and the protection of the child. How can we explain this percentage, despite all the awareness campaigns?
Aminata Traore: Changes in mentality are always in the long term. Of course, the percentage is alarming, but we must welcome all the initiatives of the Ministry of Women and Child Protection, the United Nations system and national and international NGOs aimed at putting an end to this practice. Today, excision is no longer a taboo subject. The communities organized knife deposit ceremonies with information and training received on the practice. Let’s stay optimistic, I know that by 2020 we will get there.

Aminata Traore, writer and president of the GNITRESOR Foundation

You yourself have been a victim of this practice. What made you decide to tell your experience in your book, the burning knife?
I used to say that I am not proud to be a victim but I am proud to have had the courage to break the wall of silence. To break the silence by testifying is a great beginning of healing. In publishing this work, I wanted to share my pain, my revolt and my hope. And if this testimony can save would be only a girl, I would have won a battle. This work plunges us into the universe of female genital mutilation, that is, before, during and after this practice. I reviewed the psychological and physical consequences. I invite everyone to read “the burning knife”.
You do not just describe, you also go to meet people, especially students, to raise awareness

Children should also be given the opportunity to be the most affected by the practice?
If students are informed, they can stimulate discussion within the school and their families and become peer educators. Through the foundation and support of the partners, we were able to organize conferences and donate copies of the novel “the burning knife” to the libraries of the institutions visited.

What do you think of the government’s decision to go into repression with the effective implementation of the law banning female genital mutilation? Do you believe that this could help to more effectively combat this practice?
The law against the practice has been voted since 1998 but it was not until 2012 to see the first convictions. I am for repression. It is also a deterrent. But first of all, mass and outreach awareness must be intensified. Involve the print media, community and religious leaders. If everyone plays his part, I believe that we will put an end to this practice.

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CULTURE

SENEGAL – Fatimata Diallo BA: The Glow of the Feather Winner

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Fatimata Diallo BA

Fatimata Diallo BA, a French-Senegalese writer, recently made her mark on literary minds by winning the prestigious Cénacle Prize for Young Writers of Senegal in 2023 with her poignant novel «Rouges Silences».

Originally from Dakar, Fatimata grew up in a rich cultural atmosphere, and her academic background led her to the university benches in Poitiers and Paris, where she studied Classics. This Franco-Senegalese acquired a unique perspective, merging the literary influences of the two cultures that shaped her.

With seventeen years of experience teaching in the suburbs of Paris, Fatimata Diallo BA decided to return to Senegal, where she currently works as a teacher of French and Latin at the prestigious Jean Mermoz French High School in Dakar. Her dedication to education and the transmission of knowledge is reflected in her active commitment to her students.

«Rouges Silences», his award-winning work, is a testament to Fatimata’s literary sensibility. The novel, on deep and universal themes, captivated the jury of the Cénacle Young Writers Prize, attesting to the author’s exceptional talent.

In addition to her literary success, Fatimata Diallo BA is also known for her dynamic involvement in various literary meetings and fairs. Her love for sharing literature and promoting dialogue around the book is evident in her active participation in these events.

With «Rouges Silences», Fatimata Diallo BA asserts herself as an emerging voice that deserves attention and recognition in the contemporary literary landscape. Her commitment to education and her talent as a writer promise a promising future, making her an inspiring figure for future generations of writers in Senegal and beyond.

Source: Senegal Njaay

Fatimata Diallo BA
Fatimata Diallo BA
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CULTURE

SENEGAL – Exclusive interview with Yussu Dumbia a.k.a Y.DEE

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W.DEE

As part of the 9th edition of the Galsen Hip-Hop Awards, the Ze-Africanews team met Y.DEE the initiator of this cultural project.

Y.DEE lives between Senegal and the United States, he returns every year for this program in the city of Dakar. Host, columnist and rapper, he told us about his career, his impressions at the end of the 9th edition of the Galsen Hip Hop Awards edition 2023. During this edition the 50 years of Hip Hop were celebrated.

The African continent was represented at this edition. The older generation was honoured as forerunners and elders in the field.

Rwanda was the sponsor of this edition.

The full interview is available here:

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CULTURE

CULTURE-LIVRE – Journalist Madiambal Diagne publishes a book on the history of Adji Sarr and Ousmane Sonko

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The head of the press group Avenir Communication, which claims on all rooftops its proximity with President Macky Sall, announced this Friday, July 21, 2023 the release of its «investigation book» on the story that led Ousmane Sonko and the young masseuse Adji Sarr before the Criminal Chamber of Dakar on 23 May.

I am announcing the release of my investigation into the Adji Sarr – Ousmane Sonko case. The book “Ousmane Sonko – Adji Sarr: History”, will be sold on Monday, July 24 everywhere. The preface is by Hamidou Anne. I am published by Daily Editions,” he wrote on Twitter.

It should be noted that Hamidou Anne who prefaced this book is also one of the most virulent detractor of the Senegalese opponent. His columns are published on the website and the newspaper of the press group held by Madiambal Diagne, author of the book published by his own publishing house.

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