UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF THE NAME ‘BIAFRA’ IN CONTEMPORARY IGBO SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Name is a social construct that gives identity to people in society. The name ‘Biafra’ has an interpretation and social context that is embedded with meanings among the Igbo of South-East, Nigeria. The name ‘Biafra’ expresses idea, social interpretation and value among Igbo people in their social interaction. This study explains the historical antecedents of the name ‘Biafra’, the contemporary use of Biafra by the Igbo for identity construction, social cohesion, and contextual symbol of the name ‘Biafra’ in Nigeria. Using qualitative method of data collection, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussion (FGD), twenty-six interviews were conducted with Biafra activists/representatives, Biafra war veterans and youth leaders in two selected communities namely, Aba and Onitsha in Abia and Anambra states, respectively. Data collected were analyzed using ethnographic content analysis. The findings of this study show that the name ‘Biafra’ holds social and cultural symbols that are presented as Biafuru (come and see) and Bia-fara (come and take) which is a symbol of olile-anya (hope) and nzoputa (emancipation). All these create Biafra symbolism for agitation, social identity, recognition, freedom and ofu-obi (social cohesion) that are associated with the Igbo society in Nigeria.