OuagaNet:
Dr. Marie-Ange Somdah, you are a talented and prolific writer who was born in Burkina Faso. Please tell us about yourself and what you would like your readers to know about you.


Dr Somdah:
Thank you very much for this opportunity. I was born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. I spent my primary school years in the southwestern regions, the Poni (Nako, Malba) and most notably in “La Bougouriba”, Diébougou, before heading to the Petit Séminaire (sic. Seminary school) of Nasso near Bobo-Dioulasso, the economic capital of Burkina Faso. There, I chose not to embrace the priesthood and went to the Lycée Newton in Ouagadougou where I got my Baccalauréat that opened the door to the Université de Ouagadougou. After my undergraduate studies, I went to the Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, where I got my doctorate degree (nouveau regime as they called it down there). Following the completion of my Ph.D. I taught for a while in France before moving to the USA where a charming Caribbean lady was waiting for me. We have a son. Regarding my professional activities, I will say that I have many arrows. For I am a Professor, poet and writer, Development Consultant, Literary and Film critic, Translator and Editor. All these activities are intertwined. They are the result of my multi-disciplinary background, first initiated at the Université de Ouagadougou. My approach is based on the assumption that you are more accomplished when you can benefit from various perspectives and fields. Everyone must thrive to broaden his own perspective of life.


OuagaNet:
What books have you published so far and what are they about? Which one is your favorite and why? (Please provide details and insights on each book published, hints for the reader).


Dr Somdah:
I have published several books. I’ll start with the most recent one and then move to the others.

Un Soleil de Plomb:
This story is about a former boat-people trained in a medical school in the Boston area and who became a well known cardiologist and scholar. But with fame also comes a strange shadow on his back. He gets entangled in a romance with a terrible twin, the one who will orchestrate his downfall. After a big winter storm, his wife Denise and the twin’s sister will find him dead with his last friend, the Philosopher. The Philosopher is Denise's former fiancée. This story is located in a country called Île, Boston and New York.

Rêves de Savane:
is a poetic journey into childhood. The poems here come with colorful illustrations from a retired teacher in Porto Novo, Benin.

Campus Blues:
This novel is very light, an easy one to read. In this book, I tried to recreate some scenes from a campus life in France with my fellow Africans in mind.

Seeds & Deep Seasons:
My first book of poetry in English is all about the human experience.

Le nombril de la terre:
This is a daring journey to learn or re-learn my roots. The symbolism of the Earth is central to my quest here.

Adjoa, l’aurore:
My first novel depicts the situation of a young man from the countryside and his life in a big African city.

Demain sera beau:
My first published book is a book of poetry that explores many issues of life.

Academics:
- Ecritures du Burkina Faso, Vol.1.
This is the first scholarly book on Burkina Faso’s literature. This edition aims at providing some first insights. This literature is still an unknown entity today. So this book is an effort towards promoting Burkinabé writers.

- Identités postcoloniales et discours dans les cultures francophones, Vol.1.
The question of identity and his reformulation is a key issue in the postcolonial world.
This book aims at providing tools for African students and scholars handicapped by a lack of academic resources.


OuagaNet:
What inspires you to write and why?


Dr Somdah:
That’s a tough one. Wherever you are it comes. I mean, la muse! Inspiration is sometimes a combination of elements: senses, imagination, reality, observation of daily life, life experience etc. Why, I’m writing? It's a need, a deep need: the quest for essence.


OuagaNet:
If a reader is interested in understanding in details your writings, which book should he start with and why?


Dr Somdah:
Oh boy! Your questions are really tough ones. It’s hard to say, for, reading is something very personal. Once you published your book, it doesn't belong to you anymore. Because, each of us will read it with his/her own experiences, feelings.


OuagaNet:
What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writings?


Dr Somdah: I’m neither a guide nor a mentor. Sharing is something that creates a space for dialogue. So I hope that reading my books will create many opportunities for dialogue for a better understanding of the human condition.


OuagaNet:
What are your goals as a writer? Do you consider yourself an engaged writer? (Here, tell us your philosophy. For example when we read Emile Zola, we know that he is depicting social ills and how working classes are facing them, and what to do about them. When we read Baudelaire, we know he is writing about love.)


Dr Somdah:
Yes, but love is also part of the human condition. Each of us brings something from his own to make us better. So labeling does not fit my philosophy. I'm writing me with my insights. Art is about assuming that human experience without anyone interfering in the process. I'm not here to show or tell people the truth. I'm here to share my own experience, feelings, vision, anger, joy; and if someone find something useful in there, good for him/her. I’m neither a griot for an ideology, nor a messenger for any fan. I'm a writer, an artist in my own quest.


OuagaNet:
Which African or French writer or philosopher influenced your writing style if any?


Dr Somdah:
Frankly, I don’t know. I studied the French classics: Voltaire, Montesquieu, Victor Hugo, Baudelaire, Lamartine. Also I read and studied some of the great Africans writers such as Senghor, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Sembene Ousmane, Camara Laye, Mongo Beti, Peter Abrahams, Bernard Dadié, Seydou Badian, Yambo Ouologuem, Sony Labou Tansi, Henri Lopès, Olympe Bhêly Quenum, Aminata Sow Fall, Ferdinand Oyono. But I don't know. For sure, some critics will find something to say. Good luck to them!...


OuagaNet:
What is the state of writing and publishing in Burkina Faso?


Dr Somdah:
The revolution has triggered an incredible cultural revolution that has laid the grounds for writing. We have a lot of writers now. Many strive to promote their works but the publishing industry is still weak in Burkina Faso. Recently I received three poetry booklets from someone who is looking for better publishing opportunities. We have readers in Burkina Faso but you have to address some issues such as the cost of books. Books are very expensive all over Africa. I think governments should create the ground for a better pricing by reducing taxes on books. With affordable books, local publishers could better promote their products. My books are too expensive for local readers all over Africa. That is why I sometimes published some of my books with my own publishing company Yaniyo! Books. By doing so, I have the opportunity to give away some of them. But, unfortunately, I cannot publish other people’s works. It’s very costly and I'll need to invest time and money to promote and sell them. And I don't have either. I'll love to. Maybe in the near future.


OuagaNet:
What is wrong with Léopold Sédar Senghor négritude aside from the fact that the terms nègre, négro, and négritude” are contentious and accepted differently in many circles?


Dr Somdah:
This is not the issue. Nothing is wrong with the word négritude.


This word was created by his friend and fellow academician, Césaire. This concept help foster a sense of dignity for Africans but the vision of Senghor was somewhat perceived as narcissism. That’s why Wole Soyinka criticized the movement. The problem with Senghor can be found here when he said: "L'émotion est nègre et la raison héllène" ; also when he defined the French language as "une langue de gentillesse et d'honnêteté". These statements are very controversial ones. The education market is the sole monopoly of the former colonial power through a linguistic dominance. So, one can understand pretty well the issue here.

OuagaNet:
A French journalist once asked Jean-Paul Sartres to define existentialism in three words. Which three words will you use to define your writing philosophy?

Dr Somdah:
In French: l’Absolu, l’errance, une quête.

OuagaNet:
What advice do you have for Burkinabe and other Africans aspiring writers who want to follow your steps? What does it take to become a writer?

Dr Somdah:
Are they writing just for money? Because if it doesn’t work out, they will end up discouraged and even renouncing writing. Writing is about passion; it’s a deep quest. So if you have this in mind, whatever your financial misfortunes, you'll still be a writer. Writing is also about humility.

OuagaNet:
Are you available for joint writing projects about Burkina Faso issues where you will take the lead role and other parties will provide the research and data analysis support?


Dr Somdah:
Why not? If my time permits, this will be fun. Thank you, guys! "