Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- Created 1968-1971 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 file
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Republic of Biafra was a short-lived secessionist state, established in 1967 by the Ibo (Igbo) people of south-eastern Nigeria. Biafra proclaimed its independence on 30 May 1967 after the Islamic Hausa and Fulani peoples, who dominated the Nigerian federal government, massacred between 10,000 and 30,000 of the Christian Ibo. Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (military governor of the Eastern region of Nigeria, 1966-1967) led the new secessionist state of Biafra, 1967-1970. The country took its name from the Bight of Biafra (an arm of the Atlantic Ocean). It comprised roughly the East-Central, South-Eastern and river states of the federation of Nigeria, where the Ibo predominated. Biafra's original capital was Enugu, but Aba, Umuahia and Owerri served successively as provincial capitals after the Nigerian forces captured Enugu. Civil war followed the proclamation of independence, beginning in June 1967. Nigeria imposed economic sanctions on Biafra from the start of the secession, and by 1968 Biafra had lost its seaports and become landlocked. Starvation and disease followed. The Biafrans surrendered on 15 January 1970. Estimates of mortality range from 500,000 to several million.
Archival history
GB 0102 MS 380252 Created 1968-1971 Collection (fonds) 1 file Unknown
The Republic of Biafra was a short-lived secessionist state, established in 1967 by the Ibo (Igbo) people of south-eastern Nigeria. Biafra proclaimed its independence on 30 May 1967 after the Islamic Hausa and Fulani peoples, who dominated the Nigerian federal government, massacred between 10,000 and 30,000 of the Christian Ibo. Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (military governor of the Eastern region of Nigeria, 1966-1967) led the new secessionist state of Biafra, 1967-1970. The country took its name from the Bight of Biafra (an arm of the Atlantic Ocean). It comprised roughly the East-Central, South-Eastern and river states of the federation of Nigeria, where the Ibo predominated. Biafra's original capital was Enugu, but Aba, Umuahia and Owerri served successively as provincial capitals after the Nigerian forces captured Enugu. Civil war followed the proclamation of independence, beginning in June 1967. Nigeria imposed economic sanctions on Biafra from the start of the secession, and by 1968 Biafra had lost its seaports and become landlocked. Starvation and disease followed. The Biafrans surrendered on 15 January 1970. Estimates of mortality range from 500,000 to several million.
Donated as part of the Southern African Materials Project 1973-1976, organised by the Centre for International and Area Studies.
Press cuttings, articles and papers relating to Biafra, 1968-1971.
Unrestricted.
No publication without written permission. Apply to archivist in the first instance.
English
Unpublished handlist for the South African Materials Project (SAMP) arranged by MS number. For an alphabetical listing of all SAMP materials (including material deposited at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies) refer to The South African Materials Project, compiled by Brian Willan, edited by Patricia M Larby (Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, London, 1980).
The School of Oriental and African Studies also holds the Nigerian Civil War Collection (Ref: MS 321463) and papers of the Committee for Peace in Nigeria (Ref: MCF/CPN).
15 May 2000 Africa Biafra Civil war Newspaper press Nigeria Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) Ojukwu , Chukwuemeka Odumegwa , b 1933 , Nigerian General and secessionist Political movements Press Press cuttings West Africa
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated as part of the Southern African Materials Project 1973-1976, organised by the Centre for International and Area Studies.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Press cuttings, articles and papers relating to Biafra, 1968-1971.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Unrestricted.
Conditions governing reproduction
No publication without written permission. Apply to archivist in the first instance.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
The School of Oriental and African Studies also holds the Nigerian Civil War Collection (Ref: MS 321463) and papers of the Committee for Peace in Nigeria (Ref: MCF/CPN).
Finding aids
Unpublished handlist for the South African Materials Project (SAMP) arranged by MS number. For an alphabetical listing of all SAMP materials (including material deposited at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies) refer to The South African Materials Project, compiled by Brian Willan, edited by Patricia M Larby (Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, London, 1980).
Allied materials area
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Language(s)
- English