A Critique of Themes Preferred by Nigerian Historians

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Periodical article

Title:	A Critique of Themes Preferred by Nigerian Historians
Author:	Ajayi, J.F. Ade
Year:	1980
Periodical:	Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria
Volume:	10
Issue:	3
Pages:	33-39
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	historiography History and Exploration
Abstract:	In his discussion of work produced by historians in Nigeria on Nigerian history, the author divides the historical writings under consideration into four broad classes dealing with a. external stimulus and response? b. internal histories of peoples in the 19th and 20th centuries; c. administrative and institutional structures; and d. themes based on an ideological approach. Amongst the subjects that so far have been avoided are the pre-1800 centralised and non-centralised states, the history of agriculture, markets, local exchange, cattle and slave trade, social history, bibliographies and comparative studies. Themes preferred for study tend to be influenced by the cultural and linguistic competence of the historian and the accessibility of sources. There is a need for more systematic research, more constant reviews and evaluation of historical work to identify gaps.