Language, Culture and Identity: An Interview with the Malian Writer and Publisher Samba Niaré

In this conversation, Samba Niaré shares his professional and intellectual journey, from teacher to committed writer and resilient publisher. He explores his dedication to promoting Malian literature and national languages alongside French, and reflects on his trilogy Kanuya Wale, the first Malian novel written in Bambara, which examines social, cultural, political, and gender issues. He also discusses the coexistence of Islam and tradition in Mali, the role of women, and linguistic decolonization through the production and dissemination of knowledge in African languages, while still leveraging Western languages.