Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has thrown his weight behind a historic campaign to honour the Igbo ancestors who resisted slavery during the Igbo Landing tragedy of 1803, more than two centuries ago.
The campaign, which seeks to give the ancestors a befitting funeral 223 years later, has gained momentum across Africa and the diaspora.
Soyinka’s endorsement has amplified calls for recognition, drawing the attention of leaders, historians, and human rights advocates globally.
Remembering Igbo Landing
The Igbo Landing refers to a tragic yet heroic episode on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in May 1803, when a group of enslaved Igbo people chose death over bondage.
After overpowering their captors, they walked into the waters of Dunbar Creek, choosing to drown rather than submit to enslavement.
Historians describe it as one of the most remarkable acts of resistance in the transatlantic slave trade.
For both the Igbo people of Nigeria and the Gullah Geechee community in the United Statesbdescendants of enslaved West and Central Africans it remains a symbol of defiance, dignity, and the unyielding quest for freedom.
Why the Campaign Matters
Campaigners argue that the Igbo ancestors deserve a funeral aligned with traditional Igbo customs, which place strong emphasis on communal rites, libations, and ceremonies ensuring the deceased’s spirit transitions peacefully.
The movement has outlined key goals:
Erecting Memorials: Following the 2022 unveiling of a historical marker on St. Simons Island by the Georgia Historical Society, campaigners want expanded memorials at the site.
Cultural Preservation: Protecting the memory of Igbo Landing as part of both Igbo and Gullah Geechee heritage.
Education: Pushing for the event’s inclusion in school curricula to deepen awareness of slavery, resistance, and cultural resilience.
Soyinka’s Call for Reflection
By endorsing the campaign, Soyinka has urged Africans and the diaspora to see Igbo Landing not just as a tragic past, but as a living lesson for present struggles over freedom, justice, and identity.
“This is about memory, dignity, and justice,” activists quoted him as saying, underscoring the need for cultural and historical recognition.
How to Support the Movement
Organisers have called on individuals to:
Spread awareness of the Igbo Landing story.
Educate leaders on its global significance.
Contribute towards funding memorialisation and funeral rites for the ancestors.
For campaigners, the ultimate goal is simple: to give the Igbo ancestors the honour denied them in life and to create a sacred space where future generations can reflect on the brutality of slavery and the power of resistance.