Scarlet Song by Mariama Ba

Scarlet Song

Mariama Ba

A fascinating glimpse of how culture can imprison even the most educated people. Differences are always more than skin deep and in this instance can turn the most romantic relationship into a nightmare.

Extract
'My dear parents,
When you receive this letter, posted just before my departure, I shall already be far away from you, starting my new life with my Senegalese family. I am of age and responsible for my own actions, I have embraced the Islamic faith and married Ousemane Gueye, a teacher of philosophy, first in a civil ceremony and then in the Mosque in Paris.'

Parallels
  • Things Fall Apart. by Chinua Achebe
  • Dilemma of a Ghost by Ama Ata Aidoo