Ngaoundere: Teenage writer summoned to court over published book
By Joe-Pavel Nyuysuliy
Marzouka Oummou Hani just succeeded in her Baccalaureat examination, but a court case over her book titled “My Destiny or My Father”, will deprive her of celebration.
The chief of her village Idool, considers the publication “blasphemous” and “disrespectful” of their tradition. The 17-year-old situated her story in the Idool community, raising awareness about early marriages, a common practice in the Muslim-dominated Northern regions of Cameroon.
She was summoned to court on Thursday, July 20, at the behest of the chief who is also expecting the sum of over 100 million FCFA for damages.
In Marzouka’s book published in May 2023, she tells the story of a young girl, “Astawabi”, whose father is imposing a man on her. She is determined to pursue her dreams and not marry against her wish. This creates tension with her father.
The chief of Idool and other villagers of the locality, are accusing Marzouka Oummou of defamation.
The act by the Idool village head has been widely condemned and considered an attempt to subdue a “young genius” whose full potential as a novelist is yet to be discovered.
