Women, Islam and tradition in the West African novel

There is a body of literature from West Africa that is of Islamic inspiration and that deals in a substantial way with Islamic beliefs and practices. To a considerable extent, Islam has influenced the way some important African writers define themselves and their art. Their novels are distinguished by a rich profusion of Islamic beliefs and practices even as they remain mindful of traditional cultural practices that continue to flourish in their various societies. Prominent in the novels selected for in depth study here, are the conflicts as well as the collusion that occurs between Islam and tradition particularly as they affect the lives of women. This thesis undertakes a close reading of six novels in order to examine in depth literary representations of the West African Muslim woman. Chapter one serves as an introduction as well as an exposition of the theory that informs the rest of the thesis. Drawing on the ideas of Edward Said, Fatima Mernissi and Molara OgundipeLeslie, I attempt to place this discussion within the body of critical discourse about "other" women. Chapter two goes on to trace the history of Islam in West Africa and the impact it has had on the religious beliefs and socio-political life of the inhabitants. I pay special attention to how the condition of women is affected by it before examining how creative writing is seen and approached by writers from an Islamic background. Since a number of West African novels speak of the Islamic experience, choices have to be made in the selection of texts for discussion in Chapters two to five. I have therefore chosen to focus on specific novels from two West African countries namely, Senegal and Nigeria. In the chapters which examine the works of Ousmane Sembene, Aminata Sow Fall and Mariama Ba as well as those of Ibrahim Tahir and Zaynab Alkali, I take into account available literary criticism on the novels. I also lean heavily on the Holy Quran and on the Hadith (the sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammed) including the exegeses of knowledgeable commentators.