by Carolin Felden. Main Article in German language.
Between 1967 and 1970, Nigeria was engulfed in a devastating war between the Nigerian government and the secessionist Republic of Biafra. The war concluded nearly three years later with Nigeria’s victory, yet it left in its wake a staggering toll of over two million lives lost. Notably, the role of women in the Biafran struggle was multifaceted; they emerged as warriors, scholars, farmers, and providers, playing a crucial role in sustaining the republic during its tumultuous existence. While commonly referred to as the “Nigerian Civil War,” this article contends that such terminology inadequately captures the war’s broader context. The legacy of British colonialism in Nigeria (1914-1961) is posited as a significant factor contributing to the war’s outbreak (cf. Richardson 2019: 79). Consequently, this article seeks to elucidate that the Biafran quest for independence was not merely a confrontation with the Nigerian government but rather a profound struggle against neocolonial foreign domination. Special emphasis will be placed on the indispensable contributions of Biafran women to this cause.