GB 0102 PP MS 36 - Boyd, Jean

19 boxes and 3 volumes

GB 0102 PP MS 36 (1789-1934) c1900-1992 Collection (fonds) 19 boxes and 3 volumes Boyd , Jean , fl 1978-2000 , author
In 1804 Usuman dan Fodio (1754-1817), a Fulani and Muslim, began a holy war to reform the practice of Islam in northern Nigeria, conquering the Hausa city-states. In 1817 his son, Muhammad Bello (d 1837), established a state centred at Sokoto. Under these two rulers Muslim culture and trade flourished. Sokoto controlled most of northern Nigeria until in 1900 British forces under Frederick Lugard began to conquer the area, taking Sokoto in 1903. By 1906 Britain controlled Nigeria, which was divided into the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria (amalgamated to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1914). Nigeria attained independence in 1960.

The central subject of this collection, the Nigerian woman poet Nana Asma'u (1793-1865), was the daughter of Usuman (Shehu) dan Fodio (1754-1817). Her poems, 65 in number, constitute an important literary legacy of this period. She wrote in Arabic for formal pieces, Hausa for didactic verse, and Fulfulde when addressing her contemporaries within the ruling circle.

Jean Boyd's publications include: with Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Uthman Dan Fodio: the theory and practice of his leadership (1978); The Caliph's sister: Nan Asma'u 1793-1865: teacher, poet and Islamic leader (1989); with Hamzat M Maishanu, Sir Siddiq Abubakar III: Sarkin Musulmi (1991); with Beverly B Mack, One woman's Jihad: Nana Asma'u, scholar and scribe (2000).

Deposited on loan by Jean Boyd.

Papers, c1900-1992, collected by Jean Boyd, relating to northern Nigeria from the late 18th century to the 1990s.

Papers on Nana Asma'u include copies of her manuscript poems (1820-1865) and later papers relating to her work, including translations, 1976-1984. Papers on works by Shehu dan Fodio include copies of his poems on male-female relationships (1789 and undated) and later papers relating to his work, 1975-1981. Papers on works by Asma'u's female relatives and descendants include copies of poems and writings by various authors (c1860-1934 and undated) and later papers relating to the subject, c1950-1990. Other material comprises field notes on the remnants of Asma'u's disciples, the Yan Taru, 1973-1990; papers on the milieu in which Asma'u lived in Gobir, c1900-1984, including Gobir chiefs; papers, including press cuttings, on the situation of women in northern Nigeria in the 1980s, the subjects including Muslims, prostitution, women's organizations, medical matters, and women's education.

Papers, 1903-1992, including articles, reports and press cuttings, on Sokoto relate to geological history, prehistory, palaeontology, archaeology, pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial history, the subjects including the social and economic history of the city of Sokoto, colonial administration, British fears over Mahdism, and local government and economic issues in Sokoto state in modern Nigeria.

Three volumes contain over 500 postcards, many in colour, relating to Nigeria, including images of people, cultural events, various places, and other aspects of Nigerian life [late 20th century].

The collection is arranged in the following sections: papers on Asma'u (Ref: A); Shehu (Ref: S); women writers (Ref: WW); Yan Taru field notes (Ref: YT); Gobir (Ref: G); contemporary material (Ref: C); Sokoto papers (Ref: SP); Postcard Collection.

Unrestricted.

No publication without written permission. Apply to archivist in the first instance.
English, Fulfulde, Hausa, Arabic

Two unpublished handlists (one relating to the Sokoto material) by the depositor, giving detailed descriptions.

The original literary manuscripts are in the custody of the Waziri of Sokoto, Alhaji Dr Junaidu.

Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Sources: British Library OPAC; http://www.encyclopedia.com on the history of Nigeria. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. May 2002 Africa African history African literature Ancient religions Associations Authors Boyd , Jean , fl 1978-2000 , author Colonial administration Colonial countries Documents Economic conditions Economic history Economics Educational systems Ethnic groups Europe Field work Gender roles Government Health Historical periods History Information sources Islam Literary forms and genres Literature Local government Moslems Nana Asma'u , 1793-1865 , Nigerian poet National history National literatures Newspaper press Nigeria Organizations Poetry Political movements Political systems Prehistory Press Press cuttings Prostitution Public administration Religions Religious groups Religious institutions Religious movements Research work Rights of special groups Ruling class Social history Social problems Social roles Social stratification Social structure Sokoto Sokoto (state) Translations Tribes UK Usuman (Shehu) dan Fodio , 1754-1817 , Nigerian religious and political leader x Shehu dan Fodio West Africa Western Europe Women authors Womens education Womens organizations Womens rights Womens status London England

Deposited on loan by Jean Boyd.

Papers, c1900-1992, collected by Jean Boyd, relating to northern Nigeria from the late 18th century to the 1990s.

Papers on Nana Asma'u include copies of her manuscript poems (1820-1865) and later papers relating to her work, including translations, 1976-1984. Papers on works by Shehu dan Fodio include copies of his poems on male-female relationships (1789 and undated) and later papers relating to his work, 1975-1981. Papers on works by Asma'u's female relatives and descendants include copies of poems and writings by various authors (c1860-1934 and undated) and later papers relating to the subject, c1950-1990. Other material comprises field notes on the remnants of Asma'u's disciples, the Yan Taru, 1973-1990; papers on the milieu in which Asma'u lived in Gobir, c1900-1984, including Gobir chiefs; papers, including press cuttings, on the situation of women in northern Nigeria in the 1980s, the subjects including Muslims, prostitution, women's organizations, medical matters, and women's education.

Papers, 1903-1992, including articles, reports and press cuttings, on Sokoto relate to geological history, prehistory, palaeontology, archaeology, pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial history, the subjects including the social and economic history of the city of Sokoto, colonial administration, British fears over Mahdism, and local government and economic issues in Sokoto state in modern Nigeria.

Three volumes contain over 500 postcards, many in colour, relating to Nigeria, including images of people, cultural events, various places, and other aspects of Nigerian life [late 20th century].

The collection is arranged in the following sections: papers on Asma'u (Ref: A); Shehu (Ref: S); women writers (Ref: WW); Yan Taru field notes (Ref: YT); Gobir (Ref: G); contemporary material (Ref: C); Sokoto papers (Ref: SP); Postcard Collection.

Unrestricted.

No publication without written permission. Apply to archivist in the first instance.

• English

• Latin

English, Fulfulde, Hausa, Arabic

Two unpublished handlists (one relating to the Sokoto material) by the depositor, giving detailed descriptions.

The original literary manuscripts are in the custody of the Waziri of Sokoto, Alhaji Dr Junaidu.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• English