Camara Laye
Born 1928 · Died 1980
Born on 1 January 1928 in Kouroussa, in Upper Guinea, and dying on 4 February 1980 in Dakar, Senegal, Camara Laye was always surrounded during his childhood, whether by his father's apprentices or by his brothers. Like every Muslim boy, he went through the unavoidable initiation rite of circumcision. The ceremony took place in the bush, in a festive atmosphere. Though excited, Camara Laye was anxious as a future initiate: "Were we dancing only to forget what we dreaded?" Having passed this rite of initiation, he felt himself to be a man. After the convalescence that followed his circumcision, he returned home and found that his own hut was now separate from his mother's. Though saddened, he felt the satisfaction of being a man, of having reached "the age of reason."
At fifteen, Camara Laye left his family for Conakry, to study technical education at the Georges-Poiret school, where he was taken in by one of his uncles. After earning his vocational certificate as a mechanic, Laye persuaded his parents to let him go to France to continue his studies.
Having won a scholarship thanks to his excellent results, he left for France, where he studied at the École centrale d'ingénierie automobile in Argenteuil and obtained a certificate as a mechanic.
Books by Camara Laye in order
Books by Camara Laye in the order they were published, from L' Enfant Noir (1953) to Afrikalı Çocuk (2015).
- 1L' Enfant Noir
L' Enfant Noir1953 - 2The African Child
The African Child1954 - 3The African ChildhoodThe African Childhood1954
- 4The Dark Child
The Dark Child1954 - 5The Radiance of the King
The Radiance of the King1954 - 6Camara Laye, écrivain guinéenCamara Laye, écrivain guinéen1964
- 7A Dream of Africa
A Dream of Africa1966 - 8Dramouss, RomanDramouss, Roman1966
- 9The Guardian of the Word =
The Guardian of the Word =1980 - 10Afrikalı Çocuk
Afrikalı Çocuk2015 - 11Lenfant Noir Roman
Lenfant Noir Roman