The launching of the novel was held at Nusrat school in Bundung and attended by teachers, students and a cross-section of the society.
Ms Nyang, who graduated in 2015 from Nustrat, said her book is based on an African culture “that seems to alienate women who do not have the ability to give birth for one reason or the other.”
The author said in the book, she highlighted some issues like mockery, abuse and other forms of violence that women face in their matrimonial homes if they are not able to conceive a child.
Ms Nyang noted that not being able to conceive may not even be the fault of the women: it could be health reasons or problem of the men.
“If a married woman stays for some time without a child, she is ostracized and made an object of scorn. It is like the woman should go and pluck a child from a tree; it is as if children are not the gift of God but are human creation,” she said.
In the book, the main character, Mariam Fall, was successful in material sense but the lack of children makes her a target of scorn and mockery in her matrimonial home.
“She was made to suffer and traumatised by her mother-in-law but she was brave enough to weather the storm until her agonies turned into fortunes as she was later able to conceive in the end,” the young author said.
Also, clearly highlighted in the book, ‘Agonies and Fortunes’, is the underestimated and underrated power of love in African societies.
The young author thanked Allah “for giving me the talent and strength” to write the book.
“I would also like to thank my entire family and friends for their support and encouragement,” she said.
“Big thank go to my English teacher, Mr Musa Bah for all his efforts in making this work come to fruition. I will be ungrateful if I do not register my thanks and appreciation to Mr KS Bojang who is my motivator and inspiration,” she added.
Ms Nyang also thanked her aunty, Isatou Nyang, for “an excellent typing” of the book.
Copies ‘Agonies and Fortune’ are available at Timbooktu Bookshop in Bakau for sale.
