The Money-Order with White Genesis
Encyclopedia
The money-order with White genesis is a book containing two novellas by Senegal
ese author Ousmane Sembène
, first published in French in 1966. An English-language translation was published in 1972. It tells two stories. In White Genesis, a mother struggles with conflict after her teenage daughter's pregnancy
becomes apparent. In The Money-order, a man receives a money-order
from a relative living in Paris
.
The book was adapted by the author into a movie, Mandabi
( which comes from the french word mandat, money order), in 1968.
for some time, and he has two wives and several children. Dieng receives word that a money-order
is waiting for him at the post office. Dieng wants the money, but he faces much difficulty in obtaining it. He doesn't have proper identification, and he even must pay a translator to read him the message with the order. Compounding Dieng's troubles is the fact that Dieng's neighbors are learning of his recent windfall. Enter Mbaye, a so-called "New African". Effective in his business dealings, Mbaye owns a villa on the other side of town. With a flourish of generosity, Mbaye promises to help Dieng cash the money-order.
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
ese author Ousmane Sembène
Ousmane Sembène
Ousmane Sembène , often credited in the French style as Sembène Ousmane in articles and reference works, was a Senegalese film director, producer and writer...
, first published in French in 1966. An English-language translation was published in 1972. It tells two stories. In White Genesis, a mother struggles with conflict after her teenage daughter's pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is a pregnancy of a female under the age of 20 when the pregnancy ends. It generally refers to a female who is unmarried and usually refers to an unplanned pregnancy...
becomes apparent. In The Money-order, a man receives a money-order
Money order
A money order is a payment order for a pre-specified amount of money. Because it is required that the funds be prepaid for the amount shown on it, it is a more trusted method of payment than a cheque.-History of money orders:...
from a relative living in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
The book was adapted by the author into a movie, Mandabi
Mandabi
Mandabi is a 1968 film directed by Ousmane Sembène. The film is based on Sembène's novel The Money-Order. It the director's first film in his native Wolof language.-Plot:...
( which comes from the french word mandat, money order), in 1968.
White Genesis
A teenager's pregnancy is beginning to show. This causes her mother much grief, as the girl will not name the father. Suspicion in the village rests on a navetanekat, or migrant laborer. He denies any involvement. Nevertheless, one of the brothers of Khar Madaiagua Diob (the expectant mother) tramples the laborer's crops. An angry mob searches for the navetanekat for a few days. Eventually, the girl tells her mother the truth: her own father is also the father of her child.The Money-Order
The Money-Order centers on an illiterate, middle-aged Senegalese man named Dieng. Dieng has been unemployedUnemployment
Unemployment , as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively sought work within the past four weeks...
for some time, and he has two wives and several children. Dieng receives word that a money-order
Money order
A money order is a payment order for a pre-specified amount of money. Because it is required that the funds be prepaid for the amount shown on it, it is a more trusted method of payment than a cheque.-History of money orders:...
is waiting for him at the post office. Dieng wants the money, but he faces much difficulty in obtaining it. He doesn't have proper identification, and he even must pay a translator to read him the message with the order. Compounding Dieng's troubles is the fact that Dieng's neighbors are learning of his recent windfall. Enter Mbaye, a so-called "New African". Effective in his business dealings, Mbaye owns a villa on the other side of town. With a flourish of generosity, Mbaye promises to help Dieng cash the money-order.