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Southern WW1 Exhibition at People’s History Museum

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From the Shadows of War and Empire: Perspectives of Colonised Peoples on World War One

Unique exhibition taking a Black perspective on World War One and the role of the British colonies within it.

 Starting Friday 25 June – Sunday 17 July 2016 (10am-5pm)

People’s History Museum, Manchester

 

Did you know that the first and last shots of World War One were fired not in Europe, but in Africa [1]?

Or that 1.5 million soldiers from India fought for the British?

 

grunshi_1 [450873]2014 marked 100 years since the start of the World War One (WW1) [2].  In a very real way, this was the first global conflict, with war between the European Empires drawing in well over 100 countries.

Southern Voices has created an exhibition, From the Shadows of War and Empire, at the People’s History Museum (Manchester), and will be open to the public from 25th June 2016 – 17th July 2016 (10am-5pm).

The project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund [3], examines the involvement of the British colonies (India, West Indies, Nigeria and East Africa) in WW1 and the impact the war had on those countries.  We look at European imperialism, the devastating losses on the colonies’ own ‘home fronts’ and subsequent strengthening movements for self-rule and independence.

The impact and views of the people in the ‘colonised countries’ are either neglected or absent in commemorative events, and we look to provide a more balanced account of this global war than is commonly available or known.

“It’s absolutely brilliant Southern Voices are contributing towards the building of a much needed hub of critical community learning that helps to re-balance the dominant historical narrative, where the contributions made by peoples of colour have been wilfully omitted.”

Dr Ornette D Clennon, Academic Lead for the Critical Race and Ethnicity Research Cluster, The Research Centre for Social Change and Community Wellbeing, Manchester Metropolitan University

 

“As far as possible, we’ve tried to let the facts and the people tell their story. It’s surprising how different World War One looks through another perspective.”

Deyika Nzeribe, Southern Voices Management Committee

-END-

Notes

1)    https://ww1live.wordpress.com/tag/alhaji-grunshi/

2)    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I

3)    https://www.hlf.org.uk/

 

To attend the launch event book here –  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-the-shadows-of-war-and-empire-tickets-25598478739

Contact

For further press information and images, please contact:

Kirit Patel, Project Co-ordinator

kirit@southernvoicesuk.org.uk 

Southern Perspectives on World War One

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2014 marks 100 years since the start of the World War One (WW1). In a very real way, this was the first global conflict, with war between the European Empires drawing in over well over 100 countries.

Southern Voices and The Mbari Group are developing a project which will examine the involvement of the colonised Southern countries in WWI and the impact the war had in those countries.

To do so it will look at European imperialism and Southern involvement in WW1 as a consequence. It will also examine changing European attitudes towards the colonies and Southern countries views towards the war.

The Southern Perspectives’ project aims to produce materials and events that will reflect the experiences and perspectives of Southerners during the conflicts and the global nature of the First World War. It will help to provide a more balanced account of the war than is currently available or taught.

This questionnaire is part our project consultation process. You could help by completing the questionnaire below (by Friday May 2nd 2014).

 

The Southern Perspectives on World War One Consultation Questionnaire.

 

If you would like more information contact The Mbari Group – mbarigroup@gmail.com.