‘Her Three Days’, Sembene Ousmane

            This short story by Sembene Ousmane is a condensed narrative about Noumbe, Mustapha’s wife number three who anxiously prepares as she awaits the visit by her husband who would be coming to stay for three days, the significant three days that gives the title of the story. The story reveals the unfortunate state of polygamy that leaves families in a limbo, feeling dejected. Using simple narration and dialogue, Ousmane presents the going-ons of a polygamous home, revealing the pain that comes with it and the disregard for the welfare of the women.

            Ousmane, in this brief narrative, presents the theme of gender bias and the chauvinistic nature of polygamy. Noumbe waits for her turn for Mustapha’s visit in vain. Despite her ill-health and the lack of basic provisions for her and her children, her husband keeps off her place and even skips ‘the three days’ (Ousmane). Despite her situation, she still struggles to please her husband, the women compete to outdo each other to earn favor from the man, disregarding their personal feelings and desires; this shows the glorified nature of the man’s position, versus the unappreciated women.

The pain in polygamy is seen in the common struggle that the women go through; where affection is lost as soon as a new wife comes into the picture. The children become the woman’s responsibility like in the case of the man, and the woman is there to serve the pleasure of the man. The pains of polygamy are not just experienced by the lonely wives, but also the dejected children, like Noumbe’s children who ask after their missing father. The narrative reveals the inhuman side of polygamy.

The author,  telling his story through a third person, only revealing Noumbe’s thoughts and emotions, presents a tone of nostalgia, anger and sorrow. With nostalgia, Noumbe remembers the loving days she shared with her husband when she was a new wife. Her anger and sorrow are revealed when he husband fails to show up. She sulks on her bed and reacts with anger when Mustapha eventually arrives. The anger, nostalgia and sorrow emphasize on Ousmane’s overriding theme of the bias in gender and pains of polygamy.

Ousmane reveals the character of the protagonist, Noumbe, as an enduring woman, optimistic about life and industrious. She perseveres the pain of polygamy and neglect by husband. Despite her illness, she braves herself to take care of her children, prepare herself for husband and put up a brave face through all the pain. Her industriousness is seen in her efforts to keep the family together and take care of her children despite no help from her husband. Even though she has been disappointed severally by Mustapha, she keeps her hope that he would eventually show up and stays up waiting.        

Mustapha is chauvinistic and unsympathetic of Noumbe’s situation. He neglects Noumbe but upon his arrival, he expects an arousing welcome and food served for him and his friends despite not having left any food. His lack of empathy shows when he leaves, together with his friends, leaving his sick wife in a sorry state. Mustapha and his callous attitude towards his wives uphold the chauvinistic nature of this society and the sad state of polygamy.

Ousmane presents a typical chauvinistic culture of polygamy and disregard for the womenfolk. He reveals the struggles that women go through in happy polygamous marriages.

Works Cited

Ousmane, Sembene. Societe Nouvelle Presence Africaine (Ed) (1974) Tribal Scars and Other     Stories. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Heineman.