Birago Diop

Diop, Birago (bērägōˈ dyōp) [key] (Birago Ishmael Diop), 1906–89, Senegalese author who wrote in French. He was best known for his collections of aphoristic stories based on African folk tales, including Contes d'Amadou Koumba (1947; tr. Tales of Amadou Koumba, 1966). Diop also published a poetry anthology, Leurres et lueurs [lures and glimmers] (1960). In addition to writing, he held several official veterinary posts in Africa and was Senegalese ambassador to Tunisia.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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