Collective Memory of the Nigerian Civil War through Literary Narratives

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 3:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Unsettling Empire through Indigenous Histories

Abstract

This study examined how collective memory influences literary representations of the Nigerian Civil War. Following the removal of history from the school curriculum, literary works emerged as a vital site of memory. Using thematic analysis, four texts were analyzed: two Igbo- authored (There was a country, Half of a Yellow Sun) and two non-Igbo authored (Sunset in Biafra, The Last Duty). The findings revealed that Igbo texts emphasize trauma and Ethnic hostility, while non-Igbo texts highlight victimhood and liberation. These differences highlight the impact of social identity on historical recollection. This study further highlights the importance of culturally responsive teaching.

Author

• Damilare Tella, West Virginia University