Before this trip, though I had read several books, I had never delved into the works of writer Sanmao. To prepare for this North African journey, I specially purchased her essay collection Stories from the Sahara as an introduction to North Africa and the Sahara Desert. Sanmao was captivated by descriptions of the Sahara in National Geographic and lived in Western Sahara from 1973 to 1979 for about six years, where she married José. After José’s tragic death, she left the region. Her time there inspired essays later compiled into Stories from the Sahara, which vividly records daily life with José, interactions with local people, and intriguing anecdotes. The book brims with exotic charm and reveals Sanmao’s unique personality and love for life, though it rarely details the desert’s natural landscapes.
Western Sahara, located in northwest Africa, borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Morocco to the north, and Mauritania and Algeria to the east and south. Colonized by Spain in 1934, its sovereignty remains unresolved despite Spain’s withdrawal. Morocco currently claims and controls about three – quarters of the territory. Dominated by desert plateaus and arid tropical climate, the region suffers scarce rainfall and harsh conditions, ranking among the poorest in North Africa and globally.
Sanmao’s willingness to live here for years stemmed from her genuine love for the land, reflecting her solitary nature. Choosing Western Sahara may have related to its then – stable Spanish colonial order and José’s Spanish identity. Ultimately, what matters is the courage of a woman embracing an unknown, harsh environment. Rereading her stories after returning, I asked if I could endure six years there—the answer was no.
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