Bouba and Jacques; the birth of a dialogue between Africa and Europe

My dear friend Jacques,
I am very happy to be writing to you. My name is Bouba and my father's name is Cadji. He grows millet. I chase away the birds and the monkeys from his crops and I tend his herd of goats. I have a sister called Djénabou and a little brother whose name is Oumar. My mother grinds the millet, crushes the ground nuts and sweeps out the hut. I hope you and your parents are well.
Goodbye for now and I hope to hear from you soon.
Your friend BOUBA 
Pitoa (Cameroons), October 1.

My dear friend Bouba,
My name is Jacques Lacroix. My father is a farmer. He has a flock of 30 sheep and four pigs. My mother looks after the house, cleans it, prepares the meals does the washing and helps my father in the fields. I have a brother called Maurice and two sisters, Jeanette and Léonie. I'm glad I can write to you and I hope you are well.
Your friend JACQUES 
Costes-Gozon (France) October 1.

Over the signature of Bouba, the schoolchildren of Pitoa (Cameroons) began an exchange of letters a few years ago. with Jacques and the schoolchildren of Costes-Gozon, a tiny village in southern France. They wrote of their work, their games, and their everyday life. The letters became part of the reading and writing programmes of both schools. Each week they were read, explained, discussed and recopied. In this way the Boubas of Africa and the Jacques of Europe contributed to a better understanding of each other. In this way the Boubas of Africa and the Jacques of Europe contributed to a better understanding of each other. Their efforts have resulted in a delightful and informative little book Notre Ami Jacques (Our Friend Jacques) published by the Club African du Livre, at Pitoa, from which tha passages on the following pages have been selected.

Learn more on the birth of a dialogue between Africa and Europe! Read this issue. Download the PDF.