Campaign to honour 75 heroic Igbo slaves at Dumbar Creek, Georgia, US, initiated

* Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, gives support

By Editor

A project to honour the 75 heroic Igbo slaves who drowned themselves at Dunbar Creek, St. Simons Island, Georgia, US in May 1803, has been initiated. The campaign is to recall the memory of the heroes, who instead of succumbing to the indignities of slavery decided to drown themselves as a mark of rebellion against their captors.

Initiated by the duo of Canada-based Nigerian Ifeanyi Igwebike Mbanefo and Dr. Rosemary Nwangwu, the project has been introduced to key leaders of Igbo in politics, business, academia, as well as eminent Nigerians whose voices could draw the needed support. Among the earlier subscribers to the idea is the Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, according to the promoters.

Speaking on the reason for the campaign, the promoters, stated: “As we reflect on the bravery and determination of 75 enslaved Igbo people who resisted slavery by walking into the sea and drowning in May 1803 on St. Simons Island, Georgia, USA, we are reminded of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting social justice. The Igbo Landing Event has become a symbol of resistance, as it represents a shared memory of the brutalities of slavery and the determination of enslaved people to resist their oppressors.”

That heroic act is widely acknowledged as a catalyst and percusor of the famous American Civil Rights advocacy for black emancipation.

They continued, “it showcases the unbreakable will, courage, bravery and determination of a people who fought for their freedom,” with the promoters urging “the governors of the South East, particularly Governors Alex Otti, Chukwuma Soludo, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah and Hope Uzodinma, and Ohaneze Ndi Igbo to join hands with us in acquiring at least a plot of land or more on Dunbar Creek to honour the heroic ancestors of Igbo descent. This initiative requires less than $300,000, a very small price to pay for the dignity and respect these 75 heroic ancestors deserve.

Gathering of Igbo at the landing site to pour libation in memory of the ancestors

“In Igbo cosmology, a proper funeral and memorialization are crucial. What is urgently needed is the acquisition of a plot of land or more to facilitate this process. We believe that this campaign aligns with the values of honesty, hard work, and sincerity that the Igbo leadership advocate. We urge our eminent governors to work together to ensure that these heroic ancestors receive the dignity and respect they deserve. “

On the involvement of Soyinka, the promoters stated: “Prof. Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate, has played a significant role in promoting awareness about the Igbo Landing Event and its significance. As a humanist, global figure, internationalist and public intellectual, he has used his platform to sensitize stakeholders by endorsing the campaign to honour the Igbo ancestors by sensitizing local, national, and international stakeholders about the significance of this event; he has emphasized the importance of incorporating the history of Igbo Landing into school curricula to ensure future generations understand the significance of this event and, with his advocate for human rights, Soyinka’s work has centred around an anti-totalitarian theory of power, as he has been a vocal advocate for democracy, human rights, and freedom.”

Continuing the appeal to Ndigbo to support the venture, the promoters said, “Let us honour their legacy and promote a poignant message against cowardly acquiescence to evil. Let us hold up their unbreakable Igbo spirit and will as a beacon to the world. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to act. Let us show the world that we value our cultural heritage and the bravery of our ancestors. Together, they can make a lasting impact and ensure that the legacy of the Igbo ancestors lives on.”

The initiators, Messrs Mbanefo and Nwangwu are promoters of an artificial intelligence company, Museums and Monuments Academy, that reimagines history to make teaching and learning of history easy, fun, interactive and immersive with digital twin technology.