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Senegalese writing duo Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo have made history by becoming the first pair to win the prestigious Caine Prize for African writing. Their winning story, "A Soul of Small Places," is based on Diallo's personal experience of gender-based violence in Senegal. The story delves into themes of violence, revenge, love, and loss. Diallo explained that the story is a reflection of her own life and the struggles she has faced, which served as her inspiration. The story received high praise for its compelling narrative and its ability to explore love while addressing important global issues. The couple revealed that they wrote the story collaboratively in just six days, feeling almost "possessed" during the process. Their meeting at a shelter in northern Senegal, where Woppa was speaking about her advocacy against gender-based violence, was crucial to the co-authoring of the story. Diene emphasized that without meeting Woppa and hearing her speak, the story could not have been written. While winning the Caine Prize is an honor, the couple expressed that winning as a family alongside their daughter holds even more significance. They noted how their daily life remains grounded, with responsibilities such as changing diapers and preparing baby bottles keeping them humble. The couple hopes that their daughter grows up understanding the importance of passion in life. Diene shared his aspiration for his daughter to be strong-willed, passionate, and engaged, just like her mother. As winners of the prize, Diene and Diallo received a cash gift of £10,000 ($12,000) and will have their work featured in the 2023 Caine Prize anthology. This year's competition received a record-breaking 297 entries from 28 different countries. The Caine Prize, which awards outstanding short stories by African writers published in English, has previously recognized accomplished writers such as NoViolet Bulawayo from Zimbabwe and Binyavanga Wainaina from Kenya.