International Women's Day: Interview with Zeinab Koumanthio, Guinean PEN

FGM, “an issue that causes anger”, by Dian Diallo

On Wednesday 10th September 2014, an array of journalists, public officials and intellectuals gathered around the great poet and novelist, H. Zeinab Koumanthio, who was presenting her novel, Les fous du 7ème ciel: Au-dela de l’excision (“The madmen of the 7th heaven: Beyond circumcision”), under the honorary chairmanship of the governor of Labé.

Zeinab – the grand-daughter of the last king of Labé – was born into Fouta Jallon’s aristocratic Fula family. She campaigns with institutions, like PEN International, which defend general human rights and the respect of women’s rights in particular.

Her novel exposes the violence towards women/girls who are victims of the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in one of the most conservative regions.

Zeinab agreed to answer some questions from the press:

Zeinab, why “the madmen of the 7th heaven”?

Zeinab: I was lucky enough to work as a consultant in a project by the UN agency, PSI – Population Service International – whose mission was to participate in the battle against FGM. To carry out my task, I listened to the female population and I could therefore gauge the tragedy experienced by the women in this region. The story is that of Salé, a young 13-year-old girl married to a cousin living abroad. Salé, mutilated, was sewn, almost closed, and could not consummate the night of the wedding. She was accused of being a witch with a stone between her legs. Humiliated, beaten, violated, she is brought in by Weerou, a madman who showers her with tenderness while promising her a journey to the 7th heaven. I think that my writing will above all help to understand that the real crazy person is not Weerou. The madmen are the others.

Zeinab, you have bravely depicted the harmful practice that is FGM, but you are aware that certain religions are not happy because they insist that circumcision is linked to religion.

Zeinab: I am conscious that the issue of circumcision is an issue that causes anger. Our mentalities have not yet changed. But the fight to restore women’s/girl’s dignity must continue on its path. We must all commit ourselves to allow girls to live with dignity. We must make sure that women do not die while giving life and, for that, we must let them conserve the integrity of their bodies. No holy book says the contrary.

You are a founding member of the Guinean PEN Centre. Your centre has to its name several educational workshops on gender for girls in more than 50 schools; do you think relief is assured?

Zeinab: The young people supported by us are educated on gender and equality, on the battle against violence towards women, and on the promotion of freedom of expression. They demonstrate their capacity to defend themselves and to lead their family and working life. They will have fewer problems in the future than those who have not benefitted from this education. I have to say that it’s PEN International who have supported the Guinean Centre with this initiative, thanks to funds for Regional Programmes.

Will PEN International be ready to help and support you if the book were banned here?

Zeinab: (laughs) The book isn’t banned yet. Let’s wait and see.

Zeinab, what are you calling for from the authorities here?

Zeinab: I thank the organisers of this meeting and I say to the authorities that freedom of expression must be respected. Writers being the best ambassadors of a country, they deserve respect and protection. In a greatly changing world, practices harmful to health and backward practices slow down social, economic and cultural development. We should all work towards the social protection of our children.

Zeinab, thank you for your openness.

Zeinab: It’s me who should be thanking you.

(Translated by Jacob Strauss)