WW1’s Hidden Voices

Two critical presentations about the role of India, East Africa, Nigeria and the West Indies in WWI, including colonialism and recruitment, the impacts of war and our ongoing culture of war followed by discussion.

Cultural Representations of World War One and other wars: how colonies are kept invisible.

Presented by Kooj Chuhan

Colonial realities of WWI: uncovering the involvement and experience of peoples from British colonies

Presented by Dipali Das and Ruth Tait

The Great War of 1914 -1918 is usually seen as a ‘European War’. Though the war was fought between European countries, the fact they involved their colonies is mostly invisible. Recognition is usually framed as a praiseworthy ‘contribution’ rather than mass enforcement. This workshop will expose the full extent of involvement from the British colonies in World War I, the impact the war had on those regions, its legacy for those countries and cultural representation of the war.

A part of ‘The Poppy Retake’ and ‘From Shadows Of War And Empire‘ exhibitions at M-Shed: