Introduction
We can not address any play African Negro without a blink of an eye the birth of the African theater of writing anyway. The theater was born to William Ponty School Sébikotane. Said Bakary Traoré, students in this school who played improvisations thrilled the school principal. He decides that the theater is integrated into school activities, and are born of real parts of Africa. Since then masterpieces have emerged. These include: Tragedy of King Christophe of Aimé Césaire, The Lion and the Pearl
I. Historical reminders
Birame Son of Penda, this man is from an old ruling family of Djoloff. Her genealogy we trace his grand-son Mansour Bouna Ndiaye , linking him to the famous Ndiadiane Ndiaye, the founder of the kingdom Djoloff. Contemporary Sundiata Keita, Ndiaye Ndiadiane ruled the Djoloff from 1200 to 1249. This is the famous Mansa Diolofin that had to fight the valiant Tiramakhan Taraoré on behalf of Mansa Mandingo, Makhan-Sundiata. Alboury Ndiaye, a direct descendant of this Djolofin Mansa, was a true prince, a strong nationalist and disinterested in his fierce and persistent resistance against the French intervention, did not distinguish the cause of Senegal to the Sudan, a country deeply Islamic Fighting for freedom in Africa.
For security reasons, Alboury was sent very young to the court of Damel Biram Ngone Latyr where he was raised along with the future Damel, Lat Dior Diop, a descendant of the pious and venerable Sakhéwar Fatma. And during many years Alboury was the constant companion, the faithful lieutenant of Lat Dior in which he shared the victories, defeats, the voluntary or forced exile.
Ahmadou Cheikhou in 1875 at the head of a major troop invaded Cayor. Lat Dior informed and shaped with Prince Alboury Ndiaye expedition and pursue fugitives into his native country, Djoloff, where he became recognized as the legitimate successor of Bourba Djoloff.
Alboury reign was fifteen years from 1875 to 1890. A year after his arrival, he sent M'Boumba , in Futa Toro near Boghé, an army commanded by his brother Alboury Penda, who returned victorious.
In 1886, the French broke the peace treaty, killed Lat Dior and claiming qu'Alboury had violated that treaty by refusing to send his son to a French school.
In exile Alboury left behind him a capital Yang Yang burned, crops burned and poisoned wells plugged or leaving nothing to the white invader Dodds. The latter retaliated by appointing like- Bourba Djoloff Alboury's own brother, Samba Laobe Penda, another ambitious, alongside young Damel Samba Fall Laobe , had prepared the famous battle of Guil.
As was later confirmed, see Alboury wanted to create a large Muslim empire in West Africa, under the Grand Alliance
II. Life and bibliography of the author
1. the life of the author
His real name Sidi Ahmed Sheikh Alioune Ndao, celebrates with Aliou Ndao Sheikh was born in 1933 near Bignona Karthiak. Son of a veterinarian, he followed his father throughout Senegal. He claims to be trained in the best school, the old men with their wisdom. He knows very well the traditions of his people, and especially the history of his people.
He spent part of his high school in Dakar and in France, then attended the University of Grenoble in France and Swansea in Britain. Former professor of English at the Ecole Normale William Ponty. He also taught in the United States in 1972 at De Pauw University in Greencastle (Indiana). He was also a cultural adviser to the President of the Republic
2. Publications
His first collection of poems, Kairée published
His play, Exile of Albouri (1967) was staged in 1968 at the Theatre Daniel Sorano in Dakar, and was played on stages in Africa and Europe, including the Odeon (Paris) and in Belgium. Presented at the Pan African Cultural Festival in Algiers in 1969, she won first prize. Translated into English in the United States, this piece symbolizes the beginning of the historic theater in Senegal. It also identifies Isle of Baahili in 1975
The Marabout of drought published in 1979 is often studied in school curricula.
Partisan transcription of African languages, Ndao Sheikh is one of the few writers to have published a Senegalese novel in Wolof TILLEN Buur, King of the Medina
III. The structure of the work
The play is structured into nine (9) tables.
- The first table is opened on an opposition between benign and griot Beuk nek Samba. He must summon the people to the meeting under the palaver tree for the coronation of Prince Laobe Penda.
- The second table begins with the assembly of the king to deliberate on the decision of the governor broke the agreement with the kingdoms and raises his spahis against them. Before a heated discussion, the king closed the session. This table ends with a discussion between the King's sister, the queen Linguere Madjiguene Fal Seb who claims her role as wife, woman.
- The third table is the moment of a second meeting after the decision to go into exile Bourba Segu, and forming an alliance with him. Penda Laobe believes he must stay and die for the throne. Other Diarafs fall on its side, except Diaraf Slave. The Prince has already convinced some of the army.
- The fourth table shows the conspiracy Laobe Penda. He ordered his soldiers to kill Diaraf Slave who was spying.
- The fifth table is held in
- At the table in the sixth king, queen Seb into an intimate conversation with her husband. The king decides she will go to his brothers in Cayor, not to take part in exile. Samba comes up with the news of the treachery of Laobe Penda who comes to terms with the Governor and inform him he has to assassinate Diaraf Slave.
- In the seventh picture, we see the king's last meeting with the people who accept to follow rather than remain a slave.
- In the eighth picture, we find the king and his entourage in exile until his rear guard led by his Beuk nek. Samba take this call to tell him that the queen is the journey. She discovers the king and Queen Mother to ask forgiveness and make peace with Linguere. The arrival of Beuk nek closes this table.
- Table nine coincides with the end of the camp. Moment captured by Bourba to mention the difficulties that await the convoy, hunger, dangerous animals, climate hostile. The epilogue summarizes the tragic end of Albouri who will die in battle, and the dispersion of the people of Kano between Ndiandiane Ndiaye, Medina and Segou.
IV. The summary
The play opens with a festive atmosphere for the appointment of Prince Laobe Penda, whose courage and valor are known throughout the Djolof. Yang Yang's place is where the enthronement. This is when a warrior comes to announce the imminent invasion of the kingdom Djolof by the Governor who has just broken treaties he had signed. To cope with the threat, the king Albouri convene a meeting to allow the assembly to decide, but he was forced to suspend because of the spirits that heat. In head to head with his brother, Bourba it announces its decision to ally with the other kings against the army of the governor. Nothing but the decision to help the King of Segou, Ahmadou brought Laobe Penda in a huff, he opposes the decision of his brother. Indeed
Laobe Penda can not hide his indignation at what he considered unworthy of a leak Ndiandiane descendant. The Queen Mother
Laobe Penda will even convince some of the army to follow him, and he is sharing ammo between soldiers. When
where Albouri chatted with his wife Queen
V. Characters
King Albouri Ndiaye : He was born in 1842 in Thial. The playwright has to project a work of myth. Albouri or "Bourba" is King Djolof, Yang Yang and lives in its capital. It is presented as a courageous fighter, but as a wise king. He asked, calm as a good king. Also in times of crisis, he proposes to "think in peace "before making a decision. After a long stay in the Court
Prince Laobe Penda : Like his brother, he is brave, and besides, he considers the battle as a duty, which earned him the rewards of his brother. Unlike his brother, Laobe Penda is spontaneous, impulsive and passionate. Stingy with words, he is a man of action. King knows him too well to say that he is "very careless sometimes" (p.55). And Diaraf of Thingue told him the same thing: "Too much rain, Laobe Penda" (p.58). So he held at all costs to fight for the protection of the throne. But against all odds, he will compromise with the Governor, in submitting.
Beuk Nek : He is the loyal right arm Bourba. It is part of the race of warriors. Besides he is going to lead the rearguard of the king and inflicted a defeat on the small army of Penda Laobe Sofas and the governor.
Samba : He is appointed by King Albouri griot. It embodies the religious syncretism, and do not hide it. Far from being hypocritical as it spits Beuk nek, it goes to someone who is not afraid to tell the truth. It need not be presented as it does: "But who dares to boast a quarter of my knowledge? 'Says he Beuk nek.
The Diaraf of Thingue : He governed the province of Thingue. This is another veteran of the army of the king. It is consulted by the king on the thorny issues of state. But he will side Laobe of Penda. He was killed by the battalion Beuk nek.
The Diaraf of Varhôh : He governs Varhôh, where is the cavalry of the army Djolof. As Diaraf of Thingue, it will support the Prince Laobe Penda.
Ardo : This is a Fulani warrior chief. Very lucid to understand Bourba, but he will side with the Prince.
Diaraf The Slave : This is the only one to support the king Albouri and up the pay of his life in serving as a spy.
VI. Themes
- Treason
This theme is very present in the text. First, by declaring that they obey the finger and the eye Bourba, The Diarafs of Thingue and Varhôh Ardo and did not hesitate to abandon it, especially because Laobe Penda had mobilized the army to besiege the meeting. And they met at the Prince's knowledge Bourba of, what in fact the Diaraf Slave discovered.
Then, not content with being opposed to his brother, claiming the defense of honor, Laobe Penda did not hesitate to betray the people by accepting the protectorate of the governor.
On the other hand, the governor was the first traitor because, having signed a treaty, it breaks it without notifying co-signers, but he also attacked by surprise.
- Honor
Honor or "jom" Senegal has always been the reason of life of kings. In the Court
- Exile
Exile in the sense of Albouri, is a leak or a drain, but rather a way to attack back, and especially a way to search for alliers to face the firepower of the army of the governor. Finally for the people, the exile was the only way to stay fit and save. Also the last meeting held by the king is punctuated by the slogan of the people: "The exile rather than slavery" (seventh table pp.80-81). The real reason for the exile appears and on page 89 when the king Albouri addresses the people that followed is that he says "the enemy's boots will not work on our corpses."
- The role of women
Through most conversations, there is a will of the playwright to show the different roles women occupy in the life of the Court, in life itself Djolof. The wife of the home is mostly implicit here, with the incessant demands of the queen Her conversation with Seb Linguere reveals the love of this woman to her husband, waiting to express her love: "Oh see my breasts that bud! Every night only to turn around in bed, eyes open. "(P.40) and adds it to the place of her sister:" I am a woman before being Queen. . It wants to have at least one child and live or motherhood: "A child! Albouri a child: "(p.74). To say that the woman whatever the situation, it plays a role alongside her husband. Also women are true warriors sometimes the image of Linguere. And
- Courage
Courage is present in all subjects Djolof. And we do not wonder if
VII. The dramaturgy of Sheikh Aliou Ndao
- Historical truth and myth
"My goal is to assist in the creation of myths that galvanize the people and carry forward. "Says the playwright in his prologue. It is therefore understood his handling of the story he knows. And through the treatment he is subjected to the story we see how he helped immortalize the king Alboury. "We have the right to break the story if it is to make it beautiful children," wrote ... .. Cheikh Aliou Ndao just managed to restore historical truth in this piece using a dramatization that reflects the court life of the great conqueror Bourba Djolof. His way of being realistic has to make available the meaning of gestures, words and actions.
- A poetic tragedy
Besides the flights of Samba, we note that the dramatist plays on meetings to create a genuinely African poetry, made by the repetition rate, incantations and lyrical exclamations. The text begins with a celebration of the sun by Samba. "O Sun, Breath of the Ox on the savannah! Here you smile, at the end of your wedding night with the moon
Besides the words of King often and regularly interrupted by punctuations of the people, and highly skewed to resume scansions Senghor. "Immediately! Immediately! Leo O '/' Ndiaye! Ndiaye "/" immediately! Ndiaye O! . Also refrain from such people is found in the last scene thus: "Exile, exile rather than slavery! "/" The exile rather than slavery! "
Conclusion
An African tragedy, The Exile Albouri no longer presents itself because man is a noble hero, a king, a knight, as in Greek tragedy and more recently in the classical tragedies. Extraordinary thing is that the formal point of view, part of Sheikh Ndao Aliou has nothing to Western, but the values held by characters join strangely Western values Greco-Roman example. Political matters, honor, family, love, choices are crucial as much in common that can legitimize the African theater as a theater full. The successful author is that from 1967 to today, this piece continues to teach us things, participate in the pride of the black youth who can look through the character of Albouri. Let us remember that exile is chosen here a way to get closer to our ideal of one who marries one who is closest to us despite the differences that may exist between us. But also exile also means freedom, dignity retained. Victor Hugo's exile has said: "I remain proscribed , wishing to remain standing."
Sources: Internet: Article Bocar Cissé "Alboury NDIAYE LAST GREAT Bourbe Djolof" Journal Ethiopiques No. 19, July 1979