Description
A sharp, satirical portrait of Wangrin—a brilliant translator and self-made operator—follows his audacious rise through the corridors of colonial power and the expectations of his own community. With wit, cunning, and a talent for manipulation, he navigates French officials and local networks alike, turning language and reputation into currency while exposing the moral compromises demanded by empire. Blending humor with critique, the story illuminates themes of survival, corruption, social performance, and the enduring power of oral tradition to preserve—and challenge—history. Through Amadou Hampâté Bâ’s distinctive narrative style, the book becomes both a biography and a homage: to Wangrin’s unforgettable presence, to African storytelling, and to the complex human truths that emerge when cultures collide.
Available Editions
paperback
Indiana University Press
Published Jan 1, 1999
272 pages
ISBN: 9780253212269
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Details
First Published
1999
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for The Fortunes of Wangrin by Âmadou-Hampâté Bâ.