Podcasts about biafran war

William Boyd is the author of eighteen novels, five short story collections and numerous screenplays. His first published novel, A Good Man in Africa, was inspired by his childhood in West Africa. He is well known for writing ‘whole life' novels including Any Human Heart which he adapted as a BAFTA-winning television series. He was born in Accra in Ghana where his Scottish father worked as a doctor, specialising in tropical medicine. In 1964 the family moved to Ibadan, Nigeria where he witnessed the Nigerian Civil War – the Biafran War – which had a profound effect on him both personally and professionally.He read English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Glasgow and became a lecturer in English at St Hilda's College, Oxford. During this period he wrote novels and short stories on the side until his breakthrough novel, A Good Man in Africa, was published in 1981. In 2005 he was appointed CBE for services to literature.William lives in London with his wife Susan and over 10,000 books.DISC ONE: Sunday - Mandy Patinkin (George), Sunday in the Park with George Original Broadway Cast Ensemble and Orchestra DISC TWO: Sorry Sorry - Femi Kuti DISC THREE: Away Down the River - Alison Krauss DISC FOUR: Que reste-t-il de nos amours - Charles Trenet DISC FIVE: Daniel - Elton John DISC SIX: Britten: Violin Concerto, Op. 15: 1. Moderato con moto. Performed by Janine Jansen (violin) London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paavo Järvi DISC SEVEN: Brahms: Horn Trio In E Flat, Op. 40 - 1. Andante - Poco più animato. Performed by György Sebök (piano) Arthur Grumiaux (violin), Francis Orval (horn) DISC EIGHT: Al Otro Lado del Río - Jorge DrexlerBOOK CHOICE: Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov LUXURY ITEM: A piano CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Daniel - Elton JohnPresenter Lauren Laverne Producer Paula McGinley

Adrian Dunbar is co-curator of the Beckett Unbound Festival that takes place in various venues across Liverpool this weekend and sees him directing Beckett's radio play All That Fall in a disused reservoir in total darkness. He explains why he thinks Samuel Beckett is an incomparable writer whose appeal never fades. As two new exhibitions about Edgar Degas open at different ends of the UK, Nick looks at the importance and impact of this French Impressionist artist with Pippa Stephenson-Sit, the curator of Discovering Degas on now at the Burrell Collection in Glasgow and with Anne Robbins, the curator of Discover Degas & Miss La La, which opens at the National Gallery in London on June 6th. Anne is now curator of paintings at the Musée d'Orsay.The Biafran war, 1967 - 1970, was the first major conflict in post-colonial Africa, and when images of starving Biafran children with distended bellies began to be seen in the West, the modern humanitarian aid industry was launched. Award-winning novelist Chigozie Obioma has turned to the Biafran War for his new novel, The Road To The Country, which takes the reader to the front lines of the ferocious military confrontation.Presenter: Nick Ahad Producer: Ekene Akalawu

Barely three years after independence from British colonial rule, Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, collapsed into a civil war.   Written and narrated by Ousman Murzik Kobo. Audio production by Svetlana Ter-Grigoryan, Laura Seeger, and Dr. Nicholas B. Breyfogle.  A textual version of this video is available at https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/nigerian-civil-war-biafra-anniversary.   This is a production of Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective at the Goldberg Center in the Department of History at The Ohio State University and the Department of History at Miami University. Be sure to subscribe to our channel to receive updates about our podcasts. For more information about Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective, please visit origins.osu.edu.

Kate Wolf is joined by writer and critic Emmanuel Iduma to discuss his new memoir, I Am Still With You: A Reckoning With Silence, Inheritance, and History. The book follows Iduma's return to his native Nigeria after many years of living abroad. It recounts his travels through the southern portion of the country in search of information about one of his uncles—the man for whom he was named but never met. The elder Emmanuel disappeared after fighting in Nigeria's Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, a conflict that lasted from 1967 to 1970, and came on the heels of Nigeria's independence from British Rule. Though it touched the lives of a significant amount of the population, and killed over a million Igbo people, the war is still shrouded in mystery within the country, and like Iduma's uncle, the fates of many of its casualties remain unknown. In I Am Still With You, Iduma meets the lacunae of his uncle's life head on, in turn confronting other painful absences within his family with a thoughtful introspection, using history, literature, the archive, and vivid encounters from everyday life to make a path across the abyss.

Kate Wolf is joined by writer and critic Emmanuel Iduma to discuss his new memoir, I Am Still With You: A Reckoning With Silence, Inheritance, and History. The book follows Iduma's return to his native Nigeria after many years of living abroad. It recounts his travels through the southern portion of the country in search of information about one of his uncles—the man for whom he was named but never met. The elder Emmanuel disappeared after fighting in Nigeria's Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, a conflict that lasted from 1967 to 1970, and came on the heels of Nigeria's independence from British Rule. Though it touched the lives of a significant amount of the population, and killed over a million Igbo people, the war is still shrouded in mystery within the country, and like Iduma's uncle, the fates of many of its casualties remain unknown. In I Am Still With You, Iduma meets the lacunae of his uncle's life head on, in turn confronting other painful absences within his family with a thoughtful introspection, using history, literature, the archive, and vivid encounters from everyday life to make a path across the abyss.

In the course of watching 112 episodes of SVU, few things have shocked us as much as seeing the writers of this show take a measured and nuanced approach to not one, but two decidedly problematic issues in polygamy and female genital mutilation. That these both appear in an episode that gives screen time to topics including "stop snitching" culture, tide charts, epilepsy, and one of Elliot Stabler's former flings means there was a whole lot to discuss. The true die hards will want to check out our Patreon for an extended history of the Biafran War from Adam, Josh going full on Rage Against The Machine, and the two of us nearly coming to blows over the availability of liquor stores in southern Utah. There is way too much fun/dumb stuff in this one folks! Sources: Polygamy In West Africa: West Africa Brief History Of Nigeria: Wikipedia Snitches Get Stitches: Pace Law Review New York Crime Rates 1960-2019 - Disaster Center Polygamy is rare around the world and mostly confined to a few regions - Stephanie Kramer, December 7, 2020, Pew Research Center Carmelo Anthony In The Stop Snitchin' Video: Youtube Few Choices In Shielding of Witnesses - David Kocieniewski, October 28, 2007 New York Times Music: Divorcio Suave - “Munchy Business” 15:48 - William Onyeabor - “Better Change Your Mind” from Atomic Bomb (1978) 30:59 - Raekwon (feat. Ghostface Killah, Method Man & Cappadonna) - “Ice Cream” from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995) 49:10 - Fela Kuti & The Africa 70 - “Fefe Naa Efe” from Gentleman (1973) Thanks to our gracious Munchies on Patreon: Jeremy S, Jaclyn O, Pedro H, Amy Z, Emily L, Nikki B, Louise M, Whitney C, D Reduble, Tony B, Zak B, Jessica W, Barry W, Karen D, and Madelin K - y'all are the best! Be a Munchie, too! Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/munchmybenson Check out Munch Merch: Munch Merch at Zazzle Check out our guest appearances on: Adam on the most recent …These Are There Stories, both of us on FMWL Pod (1st Time & 2nd Time), and both of us on Chick-Lit at the Movies Visit Our Website: Munch My Benson Email the podcast: munchmybenson@gmail.com Next Week's Episode: Season 11, Episode 6 "Spooked"

The Biafran War is a moment in Nigeria's history many of our parents are too scarred to discuss and the Nigerian government prefer to forget. In this episode, Lara and Evelyn shine the light on this life defining event which claimed the lives of millions of Igbo people as they fought for their independence mainly with knives and cutlasses. It is generally believed that hunger killed more Biafrans than bullets and bombs. Listen as we explore the reasons, impact and legacy of the Biafran War. Be sure to check us out on Spotify, YouTube, Apple podcasts and wherever you get your podcast. Follow us on Instagram @onceuponanaija. Would you like to collaborate with us or just send some encouragement? Email us at onceuponanaija@gmail.com.

In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we interviewed Anni Domingo, an Actress, Director and Writer, working in Radio, TV, Films and Theatre after training at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama. She appeared in Inua Ellam's Three Sisters, a play set in Nigeria during the Biafran War, at the National Theatre (UK) and toured Robert Icke's The Doctor to Australia early in 2020. She currently lectures Drama and Directing at St. Mary's University in Twickenham, Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama, Students and at RADA. Anni's poems and short stories are published in various anthologies and her plays are produced in the UK.Breaking The Maafa Chain by debut author Anni Domingo tells the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a young African princess who was sold into slavery and almost executed, before being saved by a British naval captain. On her arrival in Britain, she became the goddaughter of Queen Victoria and a prominent abolitionist. The novel compares Sarah's life in Victorian England's high society with that of her sister, who is sent to America as a slave, and explores how their experiences change their sense of identity and belonging.For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's journey to head the World Trade Organisation has been particularly note-worthy. She is the first woman and the first African to hold the position. A trained economist, she was at the World Bank during the financial crisis and, as Nigeria’s finance minister, she faced down corruption. It's not just her career that sets her apart. As a child she lived through the Biafran War. Years later she faced another crisis: the kidnapping of her elderly mother. But her friends say she does find time for a laugh and the occasional boogie. Becky Milligan hears about her fascinating life and career from close family, friends and colleagues. Producer: Ben Crighton Researcher: Maia Lowerson Studio manager: Rod Farquhar Production co-ordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Rosamund Jones

2:15- Language & it's relation to culture 6:35- Reading & literature 8:12- Relating to the previous generation of Africans 10:46- The death of curiosity as a survival mechanism 13:02- Expectations & our responsibility to our parents 15:44- Religion as a part of the culture 18:45- Abandonment of history due to white supremacy 21:53- Picking up the pieces of African history 23:05- Christianity as the foundation for reinforcing patriarchal dynamics in the nuclear family 24:52- Breaking the cycle 25:13- Abuse in African households stemming from culture expectations 26:10- The Biafran War & it's direct effects on the culture 27:46- Culture as something malleable 28:34- The awareness of our generation 29:58- The need for collective healing 32:21- The wave of normalization of therapy 32:55- Living as the most authentic version of ourselves 34:13- What would you say to a young African Child in a traditional household in 2020? What would you say to yourself 19 years ago in your household? 35:57- What do you see for the future of Nigerian culture? Found in Translation is a Pan-African documentary interview series exploring the cultural intersectionality of African descendants across the global diaspora. Guests reflect on the layers of their identity and the role of culture in the modern world. To keep up with future episodes and additional resources please subscribe to our substack newsletter: foundintranslation.substack.com Follow us on Instagram @foundintranslationpodcast If you'd like to provide feedback or if you're interested in sharing your story on the show please email us at foundintranslationpodcast@protonmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/foundintranslation/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/foundintranslation/support

Nkwuputa Ahịara - Obi Nwakanma Gịnị Ka Anyị Kwesịrị Ime (Discussion Nexts Steps with Obi Nwakanma) July 25 2020 Gịnị bụ Nkwuputa Ahịara? Kedu ihe ndị na-agụ ya taa kwesiri ighọta ma ha gụa ya? Gịnị bụ ndụọmọdụ gị nye ndị Igbo na ndị bi n'ọwụwa anyanwụ Naịjirịa banyere Nkwuputa Ahịara na ihe edere n'ime ya. Obi Nwakanma teaches English and Creative Writing at the University of Central Florida. He is the author of The Horseman and Other Poems and Thirsting for Sunlight, a biography of the plot Christopher Okigbo, whose life was tragically cut short by the Biafran War.

The massive Niger River Delta is a fantastically rich cultural region and ecosystem. Unfortunately, it has been laid low by the brutal Biafran War (1967-70) and by decades of destructive and mismanaged oil exploration. This program offers a portrait of the region in two stories. First, we chronicle the Biafran War through the timeless highlife music of Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, perhaps the most popular musician in Nigeria at the time. Then we spend time with contemporary musical activists in Port Harcourt’s waterfront communities and in oil-ravaged Ogoniland to hear how music is providing hope for these profoundly challenged communities. The program features new and classic music, the words of Nigerian scholars, musicians, activists and veterans of the Biafran War, concluding with an inspiring live highlife concert on the Port Harcourt waterfront in which rappers and highlife graybeards come together to imagine a better road ahead. Produced by Banning Eyre. [APWW #754] [Originally aired in 2017]

This evening's Front Row is packed: Tom Sutcliffe talks to a poet, a novelist, a graphic artist, a cultural entrepreneur and a dramatist - but he has only one guest. Inua Ellams is all of these. This week the National Theatre is streaming in its At Home series Ellams' play Barber Shop Chronicles. It sold out at the National twice and toured the UK and internationally to rave reviews. It is set in a barber's in Peckham, and in Accra, Lagos, Kampala and Johannesburg. Ellams explains that men gather in barber's shops not just for haircuts but to talk and argue, about being men, about fatherhood, about women and politics. He tells Tom about how he came to this country, aged 12, when his family had to flee Nigeria because his father, a Muslim, was married to his mother, a Christian. An early work was An Evening with an Immigrant, which he toured all over the country, to places where some of the audience was initially suspicious and some, sharing his experience, saw their own experience onstage. Ellams also invented The Midnight Run, taking people on a waking tour through London overnight, with artists and and musicians, exploring the city, he says, 'with the wonder of children in a maze'. He talks too about basketball and Greek and African gods and his collaboration with Anton Chekhov, whose Three Sisters he set in Nigeria in the Biafran War, about home, black masculinity and the way he creates Main image above: Inua Ellams Image credit: Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe Producer: Julian May

Our second chat with Basil Anthony Abia! Today we discuss the Biafran War. We discuss the story of the war and its implications today. Check him out @basilabia and check us out at saveafricapod.com

Matt Gallagher is an American writer who served in the Iraq War as a U.S. Army captain. He first became known for his blog, which was shut down by the military, and his subsequent war memoir Kaboom: Embracing the Suck in a Savage Little War. Since then he’s received an MFA from Columbia University and published several books of fiction and essays, proving himself to be a thoughtful contributor to a subspecies of literature known as conflict literature.  Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian writer who - although she is only 42 - has established herself as one of the world’s greatest authors. The Times Literary Supplement has called her the most prominent of a procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors who is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature. She too, is a contributor to conflict literature, particularly in her book Half of a Yellow Sun, which tells the story of the Biafran War through the perspective of multiple characters, including a professor, a British citizen, and a Nigerian houseboy.  In this episode, Matt Gallagher joins us to discuss his experiences as a reader, writer, and soldier in Iraq; his first encounter with Adichie’s masterwork Half of a Yellow Sun; and how his experience as a soldier informed his relationship with literature. Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/shop. (We appreciate it!) Find out more at historyofliterature.com, jackewilson.com, or by following Jacke and Mike on Twitter at @thejackewilson and @literatureSC. Or send an email to jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com. Music Credits: “At the Shore” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ricardo opens up this episode with an old interview clip from Chinua Achebe before calling up his friend, Nnamdi, to discuss the Biafran War (5:15). Nnamdi covers the origins of the war from the military coup, to the pogroms against Igbo families in Northern Nigeria to the motivations for self determination. Ricardo wonders if accepted theories of nation building are applicable to the African context (21:50) and wonders why there were no medals given in the war (35:40), what Biafra represents today (40:12) and whether we will see a woman president in America before an Igbo president in Nigeria (52:06) before ending with another clip from Chinua Achebe (56:24).

Bonny Ibhawoh (McMaster Univ.) and Christian Williams (U. Free State) on historicizing refugees in Africa. Looking at children evacuated from the Biafran War to Gabon and Ivory Coast, Ibhawoh discusses the politics of “refugee” labeling. Williams’s biography of a woman born in a SWAPO camp in exile in Tanzania shows how displaced people are agents […]

Bonny Ibhawoh (McMaster Univ.) and Christian Williams (U. Free State) on historicizing refugees in Africa. Looking at children evacuated from the Biafran War to Gabon and Ivory Coast, Ibhawoh discusses the politics of “refugee” labeling. Williams’s biography of a woman born in a SWAPO camp in exile in Tanzania shows how displaced people are agents […]

The massive Niger River Delta is a fantastically rich cultural region and ecosystem. Unfortunately, it has been laid low by the brutal Biafran War (1967-70) and by decades of destructive and mismanaged oil exploration. This program offers a portrait of the region in two stories. First, we chronicle the Biafran War through the timeless highlife music of Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, perhaps the most popular musician in Nigeria at the time. Then we spend time with contemporary musical activists in Port Harcourt’s waterfront communities and in oil-ravaged Ogoniland to hear how music is providing hope for these profoundly challenged communities. The program features new and classic music, the words of Nigerian scholars, musicians, activists and veterans of the Biafran War, concluding with an inspiring live highlife concert on the Port Harcourt waterfront in which rappers and highlife graybeards come together to imagine a better road ahead. Produced by Banning Eyre.

A poem by @Mrperrigrine on Instagram ,Master Thomas on Facebook

During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, some foreign observers were puzzled by groups of Nigerians who showed support for Donald Trump’s campaign. The most prominent supporters were the IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra), a controversial, fervently Christian, mostly Igbo, nationalist organization that is still fighting for independence from Nigeria. On Jan. 20, 2017 a rally in Port Harcourt celebrating the inauguration of Donald Trump turned violent, and a number of people were shot dead by Nigerian security forces. In order to understand Trump’s appeal to the IPOB, we hear from current Biafra activists and dissenting voices in the Port Harcourt community, and examine how the unresolved issues that triggered the devastating Biafran War in the 1960s still resonate and persist in the Niger Delta today. Produced by Banning Eyre. Follow Afropop Worldwide on Facebook at www.facebook.com/afropop, on Instagram @afropopworldwide and on Twitter @afropopww. Subscribe to the Afropop Worldwide newsletter at www.afropop.org/newsletter/ S2:E8 Afropop Closeup Distributed 12/12/2017

The massive Niger River Delta is a fantastically rich cultural region and ecosystem. Unfortunately, it has been laid low by the brutal Biafran War (1967-70) and by decades of destructive and mismanaged oil exploration. This program offers a portrait of the region in two stories. First, we chronicle the Biafran War through the timeless highlife music of Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, perhaps the most popular musician in Nigeria at the time. Then we spend time with contemporary musical activists in Port Harcourt’s waterfront communities and in oil-ravaged Ogoniland to hear how music is providing hope for these profoundly challenged communities. The program features new and classic music, the words of Nigerian scholars, musicians, activists and veterans of the Biafran War, concluding with an inspiring live highlife concert on the Port Harcourt waterfront in which rappers and highlife graybeards come together to imagine a better road ahead. Produced by Banning Eyre. Follow Afropop Worldwide on Facebook at www.facebook.com/afropop, on Instagram @afropopworldwide and on Twitter @afropopww. Subscribe to the Afropop Worldwide newsletter at www.afropop.org/newsletter/ APWW PGM #754 Distributed 5/4/2017

A novel by Maylis de Kerangal which traces a heart transplant is the winner of this year's Wellcome Book Prize and the inspiration for a film out in the UK this week. Also, Anne McElvoy discusses nation states and war with US Professor of Political Philosophy Susan Buck-Morss and Professor AC Grayling. The 50th anniversary of the Biafran war and fictional representations of it are explored with New Generation Thinker Louisa Egbunike - organiser of the Igbo Conference at SOAS - and Professor Akachi Ezeigbo.Maylis de Kerangal is the author of 'Mend The Living'. The film is called 'Heal the Living' and is in UK cinemas from Friday 28 April. 'War: An Enquiry' by AC Grayling is out now. Susan Buck Morss's talk at the London School of Economics is available to listen to as a download from their website. Professor Akachi Ezeigbo is the author the Biafran War novel 'Roses and Bullets'. Further information about the Igbo Conference at SOAS is available from the conference website. Producer: Karl Bos Editor: Robyn Read

Singer Patti Boulaye; dancer David Toole; actor Charlie Condou and costume designer Tracy Tynan join Libby Purves. David Toole is an actor and dancer who played a starring role in the 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony. Born without the use of his legs, he turned his back on a job with the post office to study at the Laban Centre of Movement and Dance and follow his dream of becoming a dancer. He is performing with Stopgap Dance Company in The Enormous Room, a new touring piece about grief and the relationship between a father and daughter. The Enormous Room is at Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler's Wells before heading off on tour. Patti Boulaye OBE is a singer and actor. Her autobiography, The Faith of a Child, charts her life growing up in Nigeria during the Biafran War to her West End debut in the musical Hair. In her new show, Billie and Me, she considers the parallels between Billie Holiday's troubled life and her own - at times difficult - experiences. The production starts its UK tour at the Pheasantry in London. The Faith of a Child - The Autobiography is published by Bipada Academy Ltd. Tracy Tynan is a costume designer and writer. The daughter of theatre critic Kenneth Tynan and actor and writer Elaine Dundy, she recounts her story of growing up amid the wreckage of her parents' disintegrating marriage. The couple were at the epicentre of a glamorous show business world - their social circle included Laurence Olivier, Orson Wells and Tennessee Williams. But the bohemian, hard drinking environment came at a cost and Tracy - who describes her life then as being "in a movie with lots of crazy people" - writes candidly about a childhood where the drama happened offstage. Wear and Tear: The Threads of My Life by Tracy Tynan is published by Duckworth. Charlie Condou is an actor best known for his role as midwife Marcus Dent in the British soap opera Coronation Street. He stars in a touring production of The Crucible playing the witch hunter Reverend Hale. In recent years Charlie has written extensively about his experiences co-parenting - he and his partner care for their children with a friend who is also the children's mother. The Crucible starts its tour at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch. Producer: Paula McGinley.

Libby Purves meets writer Frederick Forsyth; entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth; costumier Tim Angel and stonemason Louise Tiplady. Tim Angel OBE runs Angels Costumiers which has been dressing the entertainment business for 175 years. The company has supplied costumes for television, theatre and film productions from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Star Wars to The Iron Lady and Morecambe and Wise. The exhibition, Dressed by Angels, tells the history of the costumier and features bespoke costumes made for Fred Astaire, Noel Coward, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. Dressed by Angels - 175 Years of Costumes is at the Old Truman Brewery, London E1 6QL. Legendary entertainer Sir Bruce Forsyth has presented the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, The Generation Game and Sunday Night At the London Palladium. His career has spanned eight decades and is recognised by the Guinness World Records book as the longest TV career of any male entertainer in the world. Strictly Bruce - Stories of My Life, is published by Bantam Press. Frederick Forsyth CBE is a former journalist and author, best known for his thrillers including The Day of the Jackal; The Dogs of War and The Odessa File. In his new book The Outsider, he writes about his own life from becoming a fighter pilot to covering the Biafran War as a foreign correspondent and spying for British Intelligence in the 1960s. The Outsider - My Life In Intrigue is published by Bantam Press. Louise Tiplady is a stonemason and letter carver. Her work features in a new exhibition Cutting a Dash - The Female Line. The exhibition showcases the work of 15 female letter carvers whose skills are helping to ensure that an ancient art remains relevant in 2015. Cutting a Dash is at the Lettering Arts Centre at Snape Maltings, Suffolk, IP17 1SP. Producer: Paula McGinley.

Dr. Chima Korieh (History, Marquette) on Nigerian experiences on the African homefront during World War II, agriculture and social change in the colonial era, the Biafran War and the politics of memory, and Igbo identity.  The interview closes with a discussion of endangered archives in postcolonial Nigeria.

Dr. Chima Korieh (History, Marquette) on Nigerian experiences on the African homefront during World War II, agriculture and social change in the colonial era, the Biafran War and the politics of memory, and Igbo identity.  The interview closes with a discussion of endangered archives in postcolonial Nigeria.

Author Taiye Selasi describes herself as an "Afropolitan," a member of a distinctly 21st century generation of African origin. The characters in her new novel, "Ghana Must Go," reflect this sentiment as well. Selasi's first book follows the Sai family: father Kweku from Ghana and mother Fola from Nigeria who meet as college students in Pennsylvania in the 1970s and raise their children in Brookline, Massachusetts. "Ghana Must Go" is, in part, a story of immigration. The Sai parents leave Ghana and Nigeria because, Selasi says, they "were born smart, capable and ambitious in countries that, at that time, could not accommodate such young people."  Yet Selasi explains that while she believes literature plays a role in making sense of historical conflict, of immigration and colonialism, she focuses her fiction on the rich, emotional lives of her characters first and foremost. Fola may have been orphaned during Nigeria's Biafran War, but, Selasi says, "Her primary scars are not political and they're not historical...they're not generic. They belong to her." Similarly, Selasi distinguishes between her fiction that features characters of African origin and her non-fiction documentary work. "I write literature because I love literature," she says. "The consequences that extend beyond the world of the novel…are wonderful, but they are not primary."  "The Afropolitan experience," she continues, "is hugely important to me, as are representations of Africa, but I think of myself as taking that challenge on in a space other than my fiction."

Between 1967 and 1970 there was a civil war in Nigeria over the formation of the state of Biafra. Over a million people died through famine, disease and fighting. Witness hears from a man who fought in the war as a boy. (Image: a starving child in Biafra. Credit: Partington/Express/Getty Images.)

In this part, Wole Soyinka travels back on a route he first took in 1967 at the beginning of the Biafran War, and speaks to two of the main protagonists.