As a historian, my ‘Eureka’ moment occurs when I retrieve a document in the archives and realize its significance or that it is something I have been tirelessly searching for over the years. Historians, like myself, who rely on archives, often express the excitement and emotion that comes with these "discoveries" which hold the tangible remnants of the past that can transport us beyond the present moment.
In this lecture, I will share my experiences of researching African and African diaspora histories at various archives in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic, Cameroon, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. Like many others, I have formed sentimental connections or experienced repulsion towards events of the past. While working in these archives offers thrilling possibilities, it also evokes strong emotional responses, especially when dealing with records related to slavery and colonialism.
My intention is not to be self-indulgent or convey a sense of self-importance, but to reflect on some of the myriad emotions—the joys, fulfillment, associated trauma, and grief—that I and other researchers have experienced while immersed in the often-dusty tomes that serve as the foundation of our subject areas. Additionally, I reflect on how the archives, in their various forms and iterations, enrich my narrative and research outcomes, with the specific intention of fostering interest in archival research.
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