In this opening episode of 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories', Neema Kambona recounts her personal experiences of learning about Tanzania during the First World War.

#1 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories' - Neema Kambona

In this episode of 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories', CEO of Diversity House Christine Locke recalls stories told by her grandfather as she was growing up in Nigeria. One of those stories was of her great-grandfather, a king in Nigeria who was imprisoned and poisoned by the British during the war.

#2 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories' - CEO of Diversity House, Christine Locke

In this episode, Dr Anne Samson explores the tragedy of the sinking of the SS Mendi in 1917, which took lives of over 600 men, and argues that we should not only commemorate those who died, but also the Africans who died and continued to live under terrible conditions.

#3 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories' - Dr Anne Samson

In this week's edition, Hilary Ogbonna from Enugu State, Nigeria, reveals an oral history passed down by his grandfather and great-grandfather of the colonial recruitment of men in Nigeria, as well as providing a profound statement on the importance of sharing memories and experiences of Africa and WW1.

#4 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories' - Hilary Ogbonna

In this episode of 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories' we are joined by Ashley Clark of Anglia Tours, who provides a history guide's perspective and thoughts on Africa and the First World War, as well as his own learning experiences whilst visiting the memorials to the Herero genocide in Namibia.

#5 - 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories' - Ashley Clark

#6 - 'Breaking The Myths: Oral Histories' - Kat Francois

As part of the series to 'break the myths' surrounding WW1 and the contribution of Africa and other nations around the world, Mr Andrew Rygielski shares his memories about the involvement of his family and native country of Poland.  Mr Rygieslki begins by explaining the impact and repercussions of the war on Poland.

Mr Andrew Rygielski

Established over a decade ago, Diversity House is an NGO which promotes  the integration of minorities in the community, addressing social inequalities that prevent minority communities from accessing adequate community services. We believe that every individual regardless of their race or ethnicity should be treated equally.

'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories', a sub-project of 'Breaking the Myths: Africa and WW1', is an initiative by Diversity House that will record personal accounts of the African involvement in the First World War. It is vital that we remember the sacrifice and the suffering of Africans during the war, which is largely forgotten in mainstream history. Running every week, 'Breaking the Myths: Oral Histories' will give people the platform to share their experiences, and allow the public to learn and understand the crucial role that Africans played in the war, and their contribution to the world we have today.

If you have a personal account and narrative of the African involvement in WW1 and would like to share it, please contact us @info@diversityhouse.org.uk

Diversity House

Popular tracks