Ferdinand Oyono Quotes

But for me, it is more than mourning. I have died my first death….

The Commandant trod on my left hand. He was talking to Madame at the time and he went on talking as if he hadn't noticed. He managed to bring his foot down while I was off my guard, giving his boots a final polish before he went out. He has no memory and no imagination. He forgets he has already tried this on me and it did not make me cry out. As the first time he just walked on without looking round but this time he went jauntily like a man who feels pleased with himself.

'Brother,’ he said. ‘Brother, what are we? What are we blackmen who are called French?

Life, he says, is like the chameleon, changing colour all the time.

A panther-rat runs along the path. He knows where he is going.

My son, you are young enough to be my son, why do you want to shed blood as old as your own father’s? Why do you want to bring a curse on you and your…

Get up, you pig! Where are your papers? Where have you come from? What are you doing fucking around here?

Nothing today, except steadily mounting hostility from the Commandant. He is becoming completely wild. Kicks and insults have started again. He thinks this humiliates me and he can't find any other way. He forgets that it is all part of my job as a houseboy, a job which holds no more secrets for me. I wonder why he too refers to me as 'Monsieur Toundi'.

At the first alarm I was jostled, then knocked down and trampled on. I could feel the Greek's dog at my heel. I shall never know how I managed to get to my feet and to climb up to the top of the huge mango tree. There I took refuge. The Europeans were laughing and pointing up to the top of the tree where I was hiding. The Commandant was laughing as well. He had not recognized me. How could he recognize me? All Africans look the same to them.

O man with the electric torch. God has sent you to me. Come and help me to find the path leading to the location….

If you heart begins to beat when you get to the end of your journey, retrace your steps.

Is the white man's neighbour only other white men? Who can go on believing the stuff we are served up in the churches when things happen like I saw today...

I shall be the Chief European's boy. The dog of a king is a king of dogs.

The elephant does not rot in a secret place.

The Commandant trod on my fingers as he went out. I did not cry out. He did not turn round.