Jocelyn Danga's debut novel 'Né sur des pissenlits' explores immigration

Congolese playwright Jocelyn Danga has published his first novel, 'Né sur des pissenlits' (Elyzad), which follows Muntu, a disillusioned high school teacher who leaves Kinshasa for Metz, France. The title, meaning 'born on dandelions,' uses raw Kinshasa vernacular to depict daily life, corruption in the education system, and the protagonist's struggles with alcohol and love for his mother Moro. Danga, a poet and playwright from Kinshasa, has written about ten plays, two of which are published: 'Un oiseau à l’aube' (Passage(s)) and 'Cette lettre que je t’écrirai peut-être jamais' (Nzoï). In 2024, his play 'Ne t'étonne pas si ma lettre sent le sel' was read at the Festival d'Avignon as part of the 'Ça va, ça va le monde !' cycle, also addressing immigration. Danga has lived in Chambéry for several years. The novel's first part is set in Kinshasa, vividly describing the city's sounds, smells, and geography.