THROWBACK THURSDAY BOOK: THE BEGGARS STRIKE

Today on Throwback Thursday we reveal a book from the past that rocked the waves of African literature years ago and still might be of interest for some. Below are details about the book.

Publisher: Longman
Title: The Beggars Strike
Author: Aminata Sow Fall
Published: 1 January 1981
Language: English
Book length: 99pages


Book Synopsis

The Beggar's Strike is set in an unstated country in West Africa in a city known only as The Capital.
Mour Ndiaye is the Director of the Department of Public Health and Hygiene, with the opportunity of a distinguished and coveted promotion to Vice-President of the Republic. Tourism has declined and the government blames the local beggars in The Capital. Ndiaye must rid the streets of beggars, according to a decree from the Minister. Ndiaye instructs his department to carry out weekly raids.

One of the raids leads to the death of a lame beggar Madiabel, who ran into an oncoming vehicle as he tried to escape, leaving two wives and eight children. Soon after, another raid resulted in the death of the old well-loved, comic beggar Papa Gorgui Diop. Enough is enough, declared the beggars.

The beggars intend to strike against the harsh treatment from the state. Ndiaye is torn between keeping the beggars off the street to protect the tourism interest of the state and the need to leave the beggars on the street to be able to fulfill religious obligations to earn a promotion.