UNN to Hold Symposium to Commemorate 220th Anniversary of Igbo Landing

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has announced plans to hold a symposium to Commemorate the 220th anniversary of the Igbo landing.

Myschoolnews reports the Igbo landing is a significant event in Igbo history and more generally a huge reference point with regards to slavery and colonialism.

The Igbo landing is used to refer to a day in 1803 where some Igbo slaves took control of a slave ship conveying them to the Americas, sinking the ship in the process to avoid being sold into slavery.

The release on the school's website reads:

"It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the symposium to mark the 220th commemoration of the Igbo Landing from the 23rd to the 24th of May 2023. The event, which will encompass paper presentations, a theatre performance, and an exhibition on the historic Igbo Landing, is organised by Pentagram Pictures Media and Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in collaboration with Centre for Memories (CFM) Enugu and Centre for African Studies, Michigan State University (MSU) as the major partners.

"The Symposium, play production (Ikenga: The Dramatic Recreation of the Igbo Landing Story), and exhibition, which captures the events of 1803 in various dimensions, seek the need to look at slavery, forced migration and the transatlantic slave trade from the point of conversations that will bring healing.

 "The important place that the Igbo landing story holds for Igbos, Nigerians, Africans and The US Diaspora emanates from the trajectory of preserving lost cultural stories and heritage, promoting peace, culture, and unity. 

"This sustainable project is anchored on the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDG 4: target 4.7 (Quality Education), SDG 16, Target 16b (Peace, Justice, and Strong institutions) and SDG 17, target 17.6 (Partnership for the goals). The Zoom meeting held on the 17th and 21st of April 2023, was an enthralling gathering that exposed the cultural and spiritual import of the work we have at hand. I appreciate the meeting and the knowledge shared and gained.

"Other partners in the project include the Institute of African Studies, Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Department of History and International Relations, Centre for Igbo Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Arojah Royal Theatre, Abuja, Center for Igbo Studies, Dominican University, Chicago and Council of Igbo States in America."