Aminata Gaye Mbengue, Author: Writing to Heal

Aminata Gaye Mbengue, a rising voice in Senegalese literature, has made a notable debut with her novel "Nianthio et la lumière fut." Based in Saint-Louis, Mbengue shares her journey, detailing the profound personal loss that catalyzed her writing and the inspiration she found in the figure of Sadio Mané. Her work is a powerful exploration of finding meaning and light amidst darkness.

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Quand ma mère est décédée en 2021, j’ai senti ce besoin urgent d’évacuer, d’extraire la douleur.

Mbengue's literary path began after a deeply painful bereavement in 2021, which ignited an urgent need to "evacuate, to extract the pain." She found solace and a means of expression in writing, describing it as "screaming in silence," a constant companion when human ears are not always available. This therapeutic approach transforms personal sorrow into a compelling narrative, offering a beacon of hope to others who carry their own burdens of absence.

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Écrire, c’est hurler en silence.

The novel's title, "Nianthio et la lumière fut," carries significant weight, evolving from an earlier concept with her father's guidance to incorporate the crucial element of light. "We had to put this notion of light to give hope to those who carry absences within them," she explains. The striking black and gold cover visually represents this duality: black symbolizing grief and gold representing hope. Mbengue also finds profound inspiration in the celebrated Senegalese footballer Sadio Mané, viewing him not just as an athlete but as a collective symbol of motivation and an embodiment of the continent itself. Her personal grief, coinciding with Mané's triumphs, further intertwines national pride with her artistic journey.

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Il fallait mettre cette notion de lumière pour donner espoir à ceux qui portent des absences en eux.