The Female Perspective of Polygamy in Senegal 

 

Kennedy M. Post
Dr. Sana Camara, Faculty Mentor

    Across the globe, communities of people have varying customs and traditions. In Senegal, the idea of polygamy, especially under Islamic law, is common. Through the analysis of the novel by Mariama Bâ, Une si longue lettre, three main female perspectives on polygamy are addressed. This novel is imperative because it focuses on women empowerment and how each woman made a choice that was beneficial to her children. The idea of focusing on the needs of the child will also be compared with the attitude of Hilary Clinton after the Bill Clinton cheating scandal. Many women choose to put their child first and create an atmosphere that is safe and nurturing no matter the cost to their own personal happiness. This presentation will discuss and analyze in French the history of polygamy in Senegal, women’s perspectives from the novel and the comparison to the United States.

 

Keywords: Polygamy , Senegal , Mariama Bâ , Une si longue lettre, women's empowerment

Topic(s):French
French Capstone

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA