French West Africa

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a substantial portion of West-Central Africa was under French control and governance. Eventually, this section of the continent was divided into several countries, including what is now Senegal in the west and Mali in the east. The action of the novel is set within the borders of this now non-existent socio-political regime.

Dakar

This port city on the west coast of Africa is now the capital of Senegal. At the time in which the novel is set, it was a key economic and political center of governance for French West Africa. The fact that the women and strikers march to Dakar was, therefore, a significant demonstration of courage and power aimed directly at an equally significant source of oppression and control.

Thies

Thies lies sixty kilometers outside of Dakar. In contemporary society it has become a thriving center...