There Was A Country: A Personal History Of Biafra By Chinua Achebe
$10.00
In the aftermath of the release of Chinua Achebe’s book titled There Was a
Country: A Personal History of Biafra and his article published in the Guardian
on 2 October 2012, there have been many debates about the Biafra war.
Some have accused Achebe of stirring up old wounds by resurrecting the “B”
question, while others are appalled at his comment about Awolowo’s policies,
which Achebe claims resulted in the starvation of millions of people. Some
have suggested that rather than heap the blame on Nigerian officials, Achebe
should have heaped the blame on the Biafran leaders who embarked on a
war knowing that their army was ill equipped to take on the Nigerian forces.
The debate has also taken a tribal dimension with many Igbo’s rallying behind
Professor Achebe, while many Yoruba’s have taken to the opposite side by
expressing their displeasure at Achebe, while defending Awolowo’s legacy.
Regardless of what Achebe said or did not say, it does not deny the fact that
his article in the Guardian and his new book are timely. For a very long time,
the Biafra question keeps on coming up again and again. On one hand, the
Igbo’s feel aggrieved by what they experienced during the war, while on the
other hand, the rest of the country feel that the Biafra war occurred long ago
and that the Igbo’s should get over it and move on.
Unfortunately, the current debate triggered by Achebe’s article and book has
resulted in many of us focusing on the principal players in the war, rather than
focusing on the underlying issue at hand: i.e. the genocide that took place
during the three year war. One problem with focusing on the principal actors
such as Yakubu Gowon, Obafemi Awolowo, Chinua Achebe, Emeka Ojukwu,
Olusegun Obasanjo, Brigadier Adekunle, Murtala Mohammed etc is that none
of these actors were significantly impacted by the war. They and most of their
family all came out of the war, intact, healthy and alive. However, what we
need to revisit as a nation is the tragic story of the millions of people (majority
children) who died as a result of man’s cruelty to man.
THIS IS REALLY A MUST GET BOOK!
Based on 0 reviews
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
General Inquiries
There are no inquiries yet.
You may also like…
-
Books, Books & Games, Literature
The Illustrated Things Fall Apart
Seller: GrammyBooksThis special, large-format, lavishly-illustrated edition of Things Fall Apart, ‘Africa’s best loved novel’, is a timely tribute to ‘the father of modern African Literature’. It is published to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of a book now considered a classic of African and World Literature. This edition uniquely blends the enduring simplicity of Achebe’s tale with the creative visual talents of some of Nigeria’s best and bright contemporary artists. The result is a book that will appeal to lovers of African Literature and Art the world over. A treasured testament to the art of story-tellling, Things Fall Apart Illustrated is bound to become a collector’s item.
SKU: n/a -
Books, Books & Games, Literature
Isara, a voyage around Essay By Wole Soyinka
Seller: GrammyBooksThe contents of a tin box – a handful of letters; old journals with marked pages and annotations; school reports; notebook jottings; tax and other levy receipts; minutes of meetings; and programme notes of special events – which belonged to his father, S. A. (“Essay”) Soyinka, a school teacher during the colonial period in Nigeria, provide the grist for Isara: A Voyage Around Essay, the second instalment of Wole Soyinka’s memoirs – a son’s fictionalised “voyage” into the life and times of his father.
A well written account of childhood in pre independence Yorubaland. Although it is probably not typical, it illustrates the essence of the Yoruba parenting style, a style that makes every adult a parent and every child dutiful. I recommend it.
SKU: n/a -
Books, Books & Games, Literature
And After Many Days by Jowhor Ile
Seller: GrammyBooksDuring the rainy season of 1995, in the bustling town of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, one family’s life is disrupted by the sudden disappearance of seventeen-year-old Paul Utu, beloved brother and son. As they grapple with the sudden loss of their darling boy, they embark on a painful and moving journey of immense power which changes their lives forever and shatters the fragile ecosystem of their once ordered family. Ajie, the youngest sibling, is burdened with the guilt of having seen Paul last and convinced that his vanished brother was betrayed long ago. But his search for the truth uncovers hidden family secrets and reawakens old, long forgotten ghosts as rumours of police brutality, oil shortages, and frenzied student protests serve as a backdrop to his pursuit.
In a tale that moves seamlessly back and forth through time, Ajie relives a trip to the family’s ancestral village where, together, he and his family listen to the myths of how their people settled there, while the villagers argue over the mysterious Company, who found oil on their land and will do anything to guarantee support. As the story builds towards its stunning conclusion, it becomes clear that only once past and present come to a crossroads will Ajie and his family finally find the answers they have been searching for.
And After Many Days introduces Ile’s spellbinding ability to tightly weave together personal and political loss until, inevitably, the two threads become nearly indistinguishable. It is a masterful story of childhood, of the delicate, complex balance between the powerful and the powerless, and a searing portrait of a community as the old order gives way to the new.
SKU: n/a
Recently Viewed Product
-
Body Care, Natural Products, Skincare
Ose Dayeba Black Soap Bar 160g
Seller: tímojẹ by RisiOse dayeba is handmade from pure, natural ingredients renowned for their gentle, deep cleansing and nourishing abilities.
Handmade; every bar is unique!
No artificial colours or fragrances
No preservatives or additives
Unscented
Suitable for all skin and hair typeSKU: n/a -
-
Body Care, Hair, Health & Beauty, Natural Products, Skincare
Natural Nigerian™ Raw Unrefined Shea Butter – Whipped
Body Care, Hair, Health & Beauty, Natural Products, SkincareNatural Nigerian™ Raw Unrefined Shea Butter – Whipped
Natural Nigerian™ Grade A Premium Raw Shea Butter is of the highest grade premium, pure and unrefined. We proudly source it from a women’s group in Nigeria. Rich in antioxidants and with a High Vitamin E content, it also boasts a wealth of minerals.
PAO (Period After Opening): 24 months Size: 16oz/472g 8oz/236g
SKU: n/a -
Craft Supplies, DIY, Craft Supplies & Outdoors
1 strand mirror matte black stone beads
Seller: Oma GlitzNatural matte black with mirror Surface
STANDARDIZED SIZE: 1 Strand is 15.5 inches
Beads are excellent for Beading, Jewelry Making, Jewelry Design, DIY gifts, Arts & Craft, Necklaces, Bracelets, Yoga bracelets, Earrings, Ring, Home & Wedding Decoration.SKU: n/a -
Electronics & Phones, Laptops
Afrione 2 in 1 Transformer TABLET
Seller: kakakee ShopTWO IN ONE CONVERTIBLE TABLET AND LAPTOP from Afrione
Key Features
10.1″ IP Screen 800X1200 Resolution
QUAD CORE up to 1.3GHZ
32GB Expandable Micro SD Support
Dual Camera 2MP & 5MP
2GB RAM DDR III
16GB ROM
MICRO HDMI | 1X USB Port | TF Card| BluetoothSKU: n/a -
Craft Supplies, DIY, Craft Supplies & Outdoors
12 pieces/lot white imitation angel skin beads
Seller: Oma GlitzBeads are excellent for Beading, Jewelry Making, Jewelry Design, clothes, DIY gifts, Arts & Craft, Necklaces, Bracelets, Yoga bracelets, Earrings, Ring, Home & Wedding Decoration.
Bead sizes: select size
Beads may appear slightly scratched due to its coated natureSKU: n/a -
Art & Collectibles, Collectibles, Craft, Memorabilia, Sculpture
Artwork of Palm Wine Tapper – African
Art & Collectibles, Collectibles, Craft, Memorabilia, SculptureArtwork of Palm Wine Tapper – African
Wow to this great Artwork! Please appreciate the work of Nigerian Artwork. It’s a very unique and beautiful design of a Palm Wine Tapper. This African art work will be nice for your home and office decoration.
SKU: n/a -
Books, Books & Games, Language
Alawiiye Iwe Karun By J. F. Odunjo
Seller: GrammyBooksIse ni ogun `se
Mura si ise ore mi
Ise ni afi ndeni giga
Bi ako ba reni fehinti
Bi ole la a ri
Bi a ko ba reni gbekele
A tera mose eni
Iya re le lowo lowo
Baba re si le leshin le kan
Bi o ba gboju le won
O te tan ni mo so fun o
Ohun ti a ko ba jiya fun
Se kii le tojo
Ohun ti a ba fara sise fun
Ni npe lowo eni
Apa lara
Igunpa ni iye kan
Bi aiye ba nfe o loni
Ti o balowo lowo
Won a ma fe o lola
Jeki o wa ni ipo atata
Aiye a ma ye o si terin-terin
Jeki o deni rago
Ko o ri bi aiye ti nyinmu si o
Eko si tun seni doga
Mura ki o ko dara-dara
Iya nbo fomo ti ko gbon
Ekun mbe fomo ti o nsa kiri
Ma fowuro sere ore mi
Mura si ise ojo nlo.SKU: n/a -
caps, Men's Fashion
Multicolour Tangaran Hausa Cap
Seller: kakakee ShopThis High quality Hausa Cap is produced in Northern part of Nigeria.
It is beautifully handcrafted and the caps are traditionally made from strips of elaborately embroidered cloth that are perfectly knitted together. It also known as Tangaran Cap .The designs are usually made of lines and shapes which often symbolizes important events and occasions. the cap is evergreen it does not fade and has never gone out of fashion in Nigeria.
SKU: n/a -
-
There are no reviews yet.