A SOCIOLOGICAL READING OF MARIAMA BA'S SO LONG A LETTER AND TSITSI DANGAREMBGA'S NERVOUS CONDITIONS

ABSTRACT

Mariama Ba and Tsitsi Dangarembga demonstrate the experiences of betrayal and loneliness as well as the lack of confidence and low self-esteem that result from certain African culture and their effects on African women in So Long a Letter and Nervous Conditions. Ramatoulaye and Aissatou in So Long a Letter feel betrayed by their husbands, who are both polygamous. The African culture allows polygamy, and Ramatoulaye and Aissatou's husbands take advantage of this to marry other women. The Research does not condemn the African culture, rather it points out the experiences of the African women in the primary texts. Modou Fall and Madow Ba misuse the fact that African culture and the Islamic religion permit polygamy. They hurt and betray their wives without taking their feelings, love, devotion and psychological health into consideration.