Mandoye N’Gom, a spahi of the second class, lived in N’Dar Touti, a settlement on the banks of the Senegal River. Like many soldiers, his days were ruled by routine, and the discipline of roll-call dictated much of his life. Yet one strange night, a simple mistake and an unexpected encounter changed his world forever.
It happened on an evening when the moon shone with such brilliance that the entire landscape looked as if dawn had already broken. The silver light spilled across the sand, rooftops, and winding paths, so much so that Mandoye thought morning had arrived. Believing he was late, he shook his wife awake and asked her to prepare coffee.
His wife, still wrapped in sleep, refused. “It is too early,” she murmured. “The cock has not even crowed.”
Mandoye, annoyed at her reluctance, decided to make his own brew. He sipped the bitter warmth quickly, tied his belt, and set out toward the barracks, anxious not to miss roll-call. The night was quiet except for the hum of insects and the occasional rustle of palm fronds swaying in the breeze. The streets glowed pale under the heavy moonlight, making shadows dance in eerie silence.
As he walked, his eyes caught movement ahead. There, in the middle of the path, stood a young woman completely naked save for a string of beads around her waist. The moonlight glistened on her skin, giving her an otherworldly glow.
“My friend,” she said softly, her voice carrying a strange sweetness. “Give me a piece of tobacco.”
Mandoye hesitated. He was already late. “I cannot,” he replied sharply. “I am in haste.”
But the woman moved closer, barring his way. Her voice grew pleading, coaxing, almost enchanting. “Please, only a little. I will not delay you.”
When he tried to step past, she reached out, attempting to embrace him. At that moment, anger flared in him. Soldiers, after all, were not men of hesitation. He raised his whip and struck her hard across the face.
The reaction was horrifying. Instead of crying like a woman, she let out a piercing wail that sounded like a ship’s siren cutting through the night air. The sound was so unnatural, so chilling, that Mandoye’s blood ran cold. Without another word, she fled into the shadows.
Breathing heavily, Mandoye muttered under his breath, “That was no woman… that was a jinn.”
He pressed on until he reached the barracks. But something within him had changed. His body began to tremble, and suddenly, he threw back his head and howled like a jackal. Soldiers stared in shock as the sound tore from his throat again and again.
His officers rushed to seize him, convinced he had gone mad. Mandoye babbled incoherently, speaking of strange visions and spirits. His eyes burned with fever, and his body shook uncontrollably.
The doctors examined him but could not explain the sudden madness. They kept him at the hospital, where he remained for eight long days. His wife, distressed but determined, visited secretly, bringing charms and traditional medicines given by local marabouts. She whispered prayers over him, tied protective amulets to his wrist, and burned incense to ward off spirits.
At last, slowly, Mandoye regained his senses. His eyes cleared, his voice steadied, and he could once again stand and speak like himself.
The French doctors shook their heads, baffled at his sudden illness and recovery. But the marabouts knew the truth. They declared in firm voices:
“It was the work of a jinn.”
Moral of the Story
This Senegalese folktale reminds us of the thin line between the physical and spiritual world. It teaches that arrogance and anger in the face of the unknown can bring grave consequences. Respect for unseen forces and humility in uncertain situations may protect one from harm.
Knowledge Check
1. Who was Mandoye N’Gom in the story?
Mandoye N’Gom was a spahi, a colonial cavalry soldier, living in N’Dar Touti, Senegal.
2. Why did Mandoye mistake the time of day?
The moonlight was so bright that he believed dawn had already arrived.
3. What did the mysterious woman ask for?
She asked Mandoye for a piece of tobacco.
4. Why did Mandoye believe the woman was a jinn?
Her strange behavior, glowing appearance, and the unnatural wail after he struck her revealed she was no ordinary human.
5. How did the officers and doctors react to Mandoye’s madness?
The officers restrained him, and doctors kept him in the hospital for eight days, but none could explain his condition.
6. What role did the marabouts play in the story?
They identified the cause of his suffering as the work of a jinn and provided charms and medicines for his recovery.
Source: Senegalese Folktale
