# Ahmadou Kourouma

> Ivorian writer (1927-2003)

**Wikidata**: [Q401023](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q401023)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadou_Kourouma)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ahmadou-kourouma

## Summary

Ahmadou Kourouma was an Ivorian writer widely recognized as one of the most important literary figures from West Africa. Born in 1927 and passing in 2003, he authored notable works including the novel *Allah Is Not Obliged*. His literary accomplishments earned him prestigious French literary awards, and his influence was such that a Swiss literary prize, the Prix Ahmadou-Kourouma, was established in 2004 in his honor.

## Biography

- **Born:** 1927
- **Died:** 2003
- **Nationality:** Ivory Coast (sovereign state in West Africa, established 1960)
- **Known for:** Novel writing and literary contributions
- **Field(s):** Literature

## Contributions

Ahmadou Kourouma authored *Allah Is Not Obliged*, a novel that stands as one of his recognized literary works. His writing engaged with African experiences and reached international audiences, as evidenced by the translation and dissemination of his work across multiple platforms. The impact of his literary output is reflected in the establishment of the **Prix Ahmadou-Kourouma**, a Swiss literary award created in 2004 following his death, dedicated to recognizing literary achievement in his name.

## FAQs

**What awards did Ahmadou Kourouma receive?**
Kourouma received several prestigious French literary prizes throughout his career: the **Prix Goncourt des Lycéens** (a French literary award established in 1988), the **Prix Renaudot** (a French literary award established in 1926), the **Grand prix littéraire en poésie d'Afrique noire** (an annual literary prize established in 1960), and the **Prix du Livre Inter** (a French literary award established in 1975).

**Is there an award named after Ahmadou Kourouma?**
Yes, the **Prix Ahmadou-Kourouma** is a Swiss literary award established in 2004, the year after his death, to honor his legacy and contributions to literature.

**What is Ahmadou Kourouma's most well-known novel?**
*Allah Is Not Obliged* is one of his recognized novels, contributing to his reputation as a significant voice in African and world literature.

## Why They Matter

Ahmadou Kourouma holds lasting significance as an Ivorian writer who brought West African literary traditions to global attention. His recognition by four major French literary awards underscores the critical esteem he earned. The posthumous creation of the Prix Ahmadou-Kourouma in Switzerland demonstrates that his influence transcended national and linguistic boundaries. As an author from Ivory Coast — a nation that gained sovereignty in 1960 — Kourouma helped shape and define the voice of post-colonial African literature on the world stage.

## Notable For

- Ivorian writer recognized internationally for literary achievement
- Author of the novel *Allah Is Not Obliged*
- Recipient of the **Prix Goncourt des Lycéens**
- Recipient of the **Prix Renaudot**
- Recipient of the **Grand prix littéraire en poésie d'Afrique noire**
- Recipient of the **Prix du Livre Inter**
- Namesake of the **Prix Ahmadou-Kourouma**, a Swiss literary award established in 2004

## Body

### Identity and Nationality

Ahmadou Kourouma (1927–2003) was a writer from the Ivory Coast, a sovereign state in West Africa that gained independence in 1960. He is identified as a member of Homo sapiens — a human individual whose literary contributions have been documented and preserved across knowledge platforms with a sitelink count of 31.

### Literary Works

Kourouma's published output includes the novel *Allah Is Not Obliged*, which is cataloged as a distinct creative work attributed to him. The novel has a sitelink count of 5, indicating its presence across multiple language editions and knowledge repositories.

### Awards and Recognition

Kourouma's career was marked by recognition from several of France's most prestigious literary institutions:

- **Prix Renaudot**: One of France's major literary awards, established in 1926.
- **Prix Goncourt des Lycéens**: A literary award established in 1988, extending the Goncourt tradition to include high school student participation in the selection process.
- **Grand prix littéraire en poésie d'Afrique noire**: An annual literary prize established in 1960, recognizing poetic and literary achievement from Black Africa.
- **Prix du Livre Inter**: A French literary award established in 1975.

All four of these awards are based in France, reflecting the strong francophone literary connection between Ivory Coast and the French publishing and literary establishment.

### Legacy

Following his death in 2003, Kourouma's legacy was formalized through the creation of the **Prix Ahmadou-Kourouma** in 2004. This Swiss literary award (country: Q39) honors his name and continues to recognize literary achievement, ensuring that his influence persists in the literary world. The award has a sitelink count of 5, demonstrating its established presence in literary knowledge systems.

## References

1. Fichier des personnes décédées mirror
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8. [Source](http://prixrenaudot.free.fr/palmares2.htm)
9. [Source](http://www.adelf.info/data/documents/HISTORIQUE-GRAND-PRIX-LITTERAIRE-dAFRIQUE-NOIRE-.pdf)
10. [Source](http://www.lalettredulibraire.com/Palmar%C3%A8s-du-Prix-Amerigo-Vespucci)
11. [Source](http://www.lalettredulibraire.com/Palmar%C3%A8s-du-Livre-Inter)
12. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20160408211043/http://www.sgdl.org/culturel/les-prix-sgdl/archives-des-prix/861-grand-prix-poncetton-de-la-sgdl-pour-lensemble-de-luvre)
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28. [Source](https://www.munzinger.de/search/document?index=mol-00&id=00000024523&type=text/html&query.key=KrYiGFs1&template=/publikationen/personen/document.jsp&preview=)
29. CONOR.SI
30. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ahmadou-Kourouma)
31. Les Archives du spectacle
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35. [Source](https://www.babelio.com/auteur/Ahmadou-Kourouma/2150)
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