God’s Bits of Wood

Daily life is progressively arduous for the strikers and their families, who are enfeebled due to lack of food. Abandoning tradition that mandated the women to procure water each day, the men start to do so as well, and catch fish to feed the families.

Gaye, secretary of the Iron Workers Union, initially refuses to support the railroad workers, but eventually agrees, with the caveat that all local workers attend as well. Bakayoko spends the night in strike headquarters, and Beaugosse announces his resignation. It appears that the fact that both men have some interest in N’Deye Touti has resulted in tension.

Ramatoulaye and the women of her compound prepare food and water to welcome the marchers. Upon Bakayoko’s arrival in the city, an elderly woman who knows that his mother has died offers to take her place. She welcomes the female marchers with traditions normally reserved to warriors. Bakayoko addresses the crowd after the mayor of the city speaks and “forbids” a general strike. The crowd insists upon Bakayoko being able to speak and he asks why the sons of concubines were welcomed by the French as legitimate soldiers but are not considered to be legitimate recipients of a railway allowance.