Jean Pliya
ジャン・プリヤ
Jean Pliya
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1931-07-21 （Djougou, Benin）
- Died
- 2015-05-14 （Abidjan, Ivory Coast） age 83
- Nationality
- Beninese
- Languages
- French
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Teacher, Politician (ministerial positions)
- Active Years
- 1959-2015
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheikh Anta Diop University (University of Dakar) | — | — | — | — | Senegal |
| University of Toulouse | — | — | — | — | France |
Cheikh Anta Diop University (University of Dakar)
Country:
Senegal
University of Toulouse
Year of Graduation:
1957
Country:
France
Graduated from the University of Toulouse in 1957
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire | Kondo le requin | — | — | 受賞 |
Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire
1967
Work:
Kondo le requin
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
L'Arbre fétiche
1971 Short story collectionA collection of short stories addressing colonial history and questions of values.
colonial historyvalues / ethics
Kondo le requin
1981 Novel / NarrativeA narrative with historical and allegorical elements, connected to Beninese historical figures (notably King Behanzin).
historypower and resistance
Les Chimpanzés amoureux
1977 Short story collectionA collection of short stories including allegorical and satirical tales.
fablesatire on human nature
La Secrétaire particulière
1973 Short story / dramatic elementsStories focusing on workplace and interpersonal relationships.
interpersonal relationshipssocial roles
Les Tresseurs de cordes
1987 Novel / NarrativeA longer work treating social and cultural themes.
communitytradition and change
La Fille têtue
1982 Collection of traditional talesA collection of traditional Beninese tales and stories, presented for a wider (French-speaking) audience.
folktalescultural heritage
Bibliography
- L'Arbre fétiche (1971)
- La Secrétaire particulière (1973)
- Les Chimpanzés amoureux; Le Rendez-vous; La Palabre de la dernière chance (1977)
- Kondo le requin (1981)
- La Fille têtue (1982)
- Les Tresseurs de cordes (1987)
Translations by Author
- Translations/re-tellings of Fon people's tales into French
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Clear, accessible French proseAllegorical and moralizing narrative style
- Recurring Motifs
- examination of colonialism and historytradition vs. modernizationmoral dilemmas
Legacy
Jean Pliya was one of Benin's notable Francophone writers, who also worked as a teacher and held ministerial positions. He is known for works addressing colonial history and values and for retelling Fon people's tales for French-speaking audiences.
Trivia
- Graduated from the University of Toulouse in 1957 and returned to Benin in 1959 to teach.
- Presented/translated Fon people's tales into French.
- Won the Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire in 1967.