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School of Oriental and African Studies

Boyd, Jean


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0102 PP MS 36

Held at: School of Oriental and African Studies

Title: Boyd, Jean

Date(s): (1789-1934) c1900-1992

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: 19 boxes and 3 volumes

Name of creator(s): Boyd | Jean | fl 1978-2000 | author

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

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).

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

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].

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English, Fulfulde, Hausa, Arabic

System of arrangement:

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.

Conditions governing access:

Unrestricted.

Conditions governing reproduction:

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

Physical characteristics:

Finding aids:

Two unpublished handlists (one relating to the Sokoto material) by the depositor, giving detailed descriptions.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Deposited on loan by Jean Boyd.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

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

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Sources: British Library OPAC; http://www.encyclopedia.com on the history of Nigeria.

Rules or conventions: 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.

Date(s) of descriptions: May 2002


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
African history | National history
African literature | National literatures
Colonial administration | Colonial countries | Political systems
Economic history | Economics
Field work | Research work
Gender roles | Social roles | Social stratification
Islam | Ancient religions | Religions
Local government | Public administration | Government
Moslems | Religious groups
Poetry | Literary forms and genres | Literature
Prehistory | Historical periods
Press cuttings | Newspaper press | Press
Prostitution | Social problems
Religious movements | Religious institutions
Ruling class | Social structure
Social history | History
Translations | Documents | Information sources
Tribes | Ethnic groups
Women authors | Authors
Womens education | Educational systems
Womens organizations | Associations | Organizations
Womens status | Womens rights | Rights of special groups
Economic conditions
Health
Political movements

Personal names
Boyd | Jean | fl 1978-2000 | author
Nana Asma'u | 1793-1865 | Nigerian poet
Usuman (Shehu) dan Fodio | 1754-1817 | Nigerian religious and political leader x Shehu dan Fodio

Corporate names

Places
London | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe
Sokoto | Sokoto (state) | Nigeria | West Africa | Africa