Just something I noticed while reading....

At the end of chapter seven, the chapter about Kondén Diara, Camara asks:

But at the moment of writing this, does any part of the rite still survive? The secret.... Do we still have secrets?

This struck me as the only time in the book that Camara actually questions colonialization and the negative impact "outside" forces may have on the indigenous African culture. I've since finished the book, and have found that the sentiment that comes out in those two questions is not repeated. In fact, by the end, he can't wait to go to France to continue his education.

I don't know if he's just trying to tell his story and then let the reader decide for her/himself what to think about colonization (and thus he is not trying to "colonize" our minds), or if this sentiment was later silenced by his growing ambition (and the expectations of everyone around him) to make something of himself when presented with such a great opportunity (studying in France).