Félix Couchoro facts for kids

Félix Couchoro (born January 30, 1900 – died April 5, 1968) was an important writer and teacher from Togo. He is known for his books and for helping his country gain independence.

About Félix Couchoro

Early Life and Education

Félix Couchoro was born on January 30, 1900, in Ouidah, which was then called Dahomey. His parents were from Dahomey.

He went to school at a Catholic mission in Grand-Popo. Later, he studied at the Minor Seminary of St. Joan of Arc in Ouidah. This was from 1915 to 1919.

After finishing his studies, he became a teacher. He taught at the Catholic school in Grand Popo from 1919 to 1924.

Business and First Books

From 1924 to 1939, Couchoro worked for a business company called Société Commerciale de l’Ouest Africain (SCOA). He managed one of their branches.

In 1929, his first book, L'Esclave (which means The Slave), was published in Paris. This was one of the very first novels written in French by an African author. However, it was not widely known for many years.

He also worked with newspapers. From 1931 to 1933, he edited a newspaper called Éveil Togolais. It was later renamed Éveil Togo-Dahoméen. In this newspaper, he wrote about wanting more freedom for trade between Benin and Togo. During this time, he also started creating short, popular books, similar to what became known as "chapbooks."

Standing Up for His Country

In 1939, Félix Couchoro had to move to Aneho in Togo. He became a business agent there from 1939 to 1952.

He also became a strong supporter of his country's independence. He joined a group called the Committee of the Togolese Unit (CUT). This was the political party of Sylvanus Olympio, who later became Togo's first president.

Couchoro started publishing his books in parts, like a series, in the newspaper Togo-Presse. His book Amour de féticheuse began appearing in 1941. He also worked for other newspapers that supported decolonization. This means they wanted African countries to become independent from European rule.

Because of his political activities, he faced difficulties. After an event in Vogan in 1952, he went to Aflao, Ghana, to avoid being put in jail.

Return to Togo and Legacy

Félix Couchoro returned to Togo in 1958. He found a job in Lomé.

When Togo became an independent country in 1960, Couchoro was given an important job. He became an editor at the Information Service. He retired from this role in 1965.

He passed away on April 5, 1968, in Lomé. Professor Martin Gbenouga, a language expert, said that Félix Couchoro was a very talented writer who deserved more recognition. In 2015, many years after it was first written, his second book Amour de Féticheuse was finally published as a complete book.

His Books

Here are some of the books written by Félix Couchoro:

• L'Esclave, 1929
• Amour de féticheuse, 1941
• Drama d'amour à Anecho, 1950
• L'héritage cette peste, 1963
• Amour de Féticheuse, 2015