Mariama Bâ's debut novel, So Long a Letter, intricately weaves the lives of two women, Ramatoulaye Fall and Aissatou Bâ, whose experiences mirror the author's own journey. Much like these characters, Bâ was educated in a Western-style institution in her homeland of Senegal. She, akin to her protagonists, not only observed Senegal's evolution from a French colony to an autonomous nation but also played an active role as an educator in guiding her country through this pivotal transition. While her characters embark on a quest for personal happiness following the collapse of their marriages, Bâ herself emerged as a fervent advocate for women's rights. Following her own divorce, reminiscent of Aissatou's storyline, Bâ became an active member of several feminist movements in Senegal, drawing attention to the challenges women encounter within polygamous unions.

A Life of Privilege and Purpose

Born in 1929, Bâ led a life touched by privilege. She was afforded the rare opportunity to attend the Ecole Normale at a time when educational access was limited, especially for African women. Raised by her maternal grandparents after her mother's passing, Bâ was steeped in traditional Muslim principles. Her father, a close figure in her life, was a politician and civil servant, instilling in her a sense of civic responsibility that would later shape her career choices. Upon completing her education, she took on roles first as a teacher, then as an inspector of schools. Bâ's character Ramatoulaye echoes the author's own pride in the teaching profession: “Teachers...form a noble army accomplishing daily feats, never praised, never decorated. An army forever on the move, forever vigilant... This army, thwarting traps and snares, everywhere plants the flag of knowledge and morality." Bâ also married Obeye Diope, a prominent figure in Senegal as the Minister of Information, with whom she had nine children before their marriage ended in divorce.

Literary Legacy

In 1980, Bâ released So Long a Letter, which garnered widespread acclaim and earned the prestigious Noma Award for Publishing in Africa. This literary triumph was swiftly followed by her second novel, Scarlet Song, in 1981. Tragically, Bâ's life was cut short by a prolonged illness, and she passed away before witnessing the impact of her second novel's release.