is clearly a classic of African literature and the reflection of an era. The foregoing independence, since L'Enfant Noir, the Guinean writer Camara Laye , was published in 1953, five years before the referendum by which the Guinea emancipation from colonial France. But this novel has probably never aspired to such status. He describes with great simplicity and humility of his childhood author, Kouroussa where he was born in Conakry, where he studied before leaving for France ... A classic, "I said. In the same way that Amkoullel the child Fulani, of Amadou Ba Hampâté , which we can not help thinking while reading these "memoirs" that does not say their name. The two authors in these books reflect social changes and upheavals that have Africa marked the time of colonization, without taking sides, without pointing fingers or exaggerate; simply by telling their own story. But, and this is my second point, they do not at the same time: while the memory of Amadou Ba Hampâté were published in 1991 after the death of the writer, The Dark Child is published Camara Laye, while only 25 years ... Hence a certain naivete, and especially the relative absence of decline on what he describes as compared to Hampâté Ba, for which so much water had flowed under the bridges by France on the Niger River ...
In fact, after reading The Dark Child , one quickly realizes that this novel was written for a European readership, specifically French - and in this it reflects its time. So readers, Camara Laye describes from the inside, with his children's eyes and words of adults, the traditions of an African family of Kouroussa; traditions he feels, with great lucidity, poised disappearing. For the young boy himself understands very soon he will not follow the footsteps of his father, a blacksmith known, and it does not pierce the secrets he receives in this world only major populated charms and powers, passed down from generation to generation, but finds it hard to explain.
In fact, the young Laye is called to follow another path, otherwise "rational" than the white man's school, where he succeeded brilliantly. Encouraged by his father, who understood him as the world changes inevitably, less by his mother, who would keep him with her but can only assist helplessly as its distance from mainstream society. This Last Laye passes, however, with a pride tinged with apprehension, the most important ritual, the circumcision, who spends his time at the age of man. But it is precisely at this age, 15 years old, the young man, torn between excitement and sadness, took the train to Conakry to pursue his studies. Later, it will be the plane, and France ...
L'Enfant Noir by Camara Laye
Plon, 1953
Pocket edition, 221 pages, 3.90 euros a
Read other chronic The Dark Child on Ballads and stops in African literature .
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