Mema's sharp tongue and apparent barrenness make her a target for dislike and disapproval in her village. When she finally succeeds in having four children, her husband dies in a witchdoctor's haven, followed by her daughters. Her in-laws accuse her of being a wicked witch who sacrificed her husband and children to the dark forces. In spite of this, Mema's strength and courage cause her to fight for her sons and her family's rights. In this story of a practical African society, her actions owe nothing to Western feminism and the theme of struggle against colonialism is left behind in favour of a struggle between new and old values. The author demonstrates that a story relating the impact of psychological and social forces on Africans can also focus mainly on conflicts within African society.

About the Author
Daniel Mengara was born in Minvoul, Gabon, in 1967. He holds a BA from Omar Bongo University in Gabon, an MA from Illinois State University, USA, and a PhD and another MA from the University in Nice, France. He is currently an Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies in the Department of French, German and Russian at Montclair State University, Montclair, USA.
He is the Executive Director of SORAC (Society of Research on African Cultures) and the Editor-in-Chief of the SORAC Journal of African Studies.
He has published several articles in the areas of francophone, post-colonial and African studies. He is the author of 'La representation des groupes sociaux chez les romanciers noirs sud-africains' (L'Harmattan, 1996), and Images of Africa: Stereotypes and Realities (Africa World Press, 2001).
He also leads the BDP (Bongo Doit Partir), a political organization which sets itself in opposition to the Omar Bongo regime and which promotes democracy and democratic reforms in Gabon.


Book Information
ISBN 9780435909239
Author Daniel Mengara
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Heinemann
Publisher Pearson Education Limited
Weight(grams) 122g
Dimensions(mm) 194mm * 136mm * 7mm