Léonie ABO An author from Congo writing in French [Return to French — Page originale en français]

Leonie Abo was born in Congo in 1945 in Malungu on the banks of the river Kwilu. Her mother died in childbirth (explaining the significance of the name "Abo" given to the author as it means "mourning" in Bambunda). She was brought up by Mabiungu, a young woman unable to have children herself. After a few years spent in primary school and an arranged marriage, she ended up in the "maquis" in the company of Pierre Mulele, harshly treated and unable to change her situation. In 1968, after her husband's assassination, she fled to Congo-Brazzaville where she has since lived (1992).

Publications

Martens, Ludo. Une Femme du Congo [A Congolese Woman]. Bruxelles: EPO, 1991 (272p.) (auto)biography. ISBN: 2 87262 046. (Written in French)

Leonie Abo, the wife of Pierre Mulele, tells of her childhood experiences in the village, from the colonial school to her traditional marriage. She then relates her experiences during the five years she spent in the "maquis". All African women will be able to relate to her life story. The peasant insurrection during 1963 to 1968 stunned the whole world. This book was launched during the Twelfth Panafrican Film Festival (FESPACO) held in Ouagadougou in 1991.

Editor ([email protected])
The University of Western Australia/French
Created: 1996
Modified: 2 December 2003
Archived: 08 October 2011
https://www.arts.uwa.edu.au/AFLIT/AboLeonieEng.html