Cheikh Hamidou Kane
Cheikh Hamidou Kane (born 2 April 1928) is a Senegalese writer best known for his 1961 novel L'Aventure ambiguë (Ambiguous Adventure),[1] about the interactions of western and African cultures. Its hero is a Fulani boy who goes to study in France, where he loses touch with his Islamic faith and his Senegalese roots. The novel was awarded the Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire in 1962.[2]
Cheikh Hamidou Kane | |
---|---|
Born | |
Other names | Sheikh Hamidou Kane; Cheik Hamidou Kane |
Occupation | Writer |
Notable work | L'Aventure ambiguë (1961) |
Awards | Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire, 1962: Grand Prix des mécènes, 2019 |
Biography
Born in Matam, Senegal, Kane had a traditional Muslim education, before going to Paris, France, to study law at the Sorbonne, subsequently receiving degrees in law and philosophy from the École Nationale de la France d'Outre-Mer.[3] In 1959, he returned to Senegal and served in the government. He also worked in Lagos, Nigeria, and in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, as an official of UNICEF.
His autobiographical novel L'Aventure ambiguë was published in 1961, winning the Grand Prix Littéraire d'Afrique Noire the following year.[4] His next novel, Les gardiens du temple, was published in 1995.[5]
References
- Kante, Boubacar (10 March 2010). "Cheikh Hamidou Kane relève l'importance des griots dans la préservation de la mémoire" (in French). Agence de Presse Sénégalaise. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
- Oury, Antoine (21 July 2020). "L'écrivain sénégalais Cheikh Hamidou Kane reçoit le Grand Prix des Mécènes". Actualitte.com. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- "Sheikh Hamidou Kane". Encyclopedia Britannica. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- "Cheik Hamidou Kane". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- "Cheikh Hamidou Kane". The Modern Novel. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- "AFRIQUE :: African Literature and the Legacy of Cheikh Hamidou Kane". 237 Daily News. Retrieved 19 July 2020.