Abstract
This roundtable explores the intersections of temporalities, positionality, and the evolving legacies of the Nigeria-Biafra war. It invites scholars and creative practitioners to reflect on the shifting dynamics of researching and representing this historical event within contemporary contexts, particularly in light of youth agencies and mobilities that shape Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.
Participants will engage with themes such as the temporalities of belonging and memory, considering how the war is remembered and reinterpreted by successive generations, including its significance for youth movements and intergenerational dialogues. The roundtable also examines the ethical and methodological challenges inherent in working on deeply personal or collective histories, focusing on how emotions and positionality influence research practices and artistic representations.
Central to the discussion are questions of how researchers and practitioners navigate the evolving political and cultural landscape, including renewed calls for Biafran independence. How do such movements challenge or reaffirm existing narratives? What does it mean to work on a subject that intersects with lived experiences of conflict and trauma?
Key themes include:
This roundtable aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue on how the Nigeria-Biafra war continues to shape and be shaped by shifting temporalities and relational processes.
Participants
During the conference the exhibition ‘Legacies of Biafra’ will take place on the 1st floor of the Iwalewa House. Interested parties will be offered a guided tour on Wednesday, May 14, 3 p.m. and after the exhibition vernissage on Thursday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.
For further information, see the Press Release >> and Poster >>