Warwerri: A historical fantasy novel

This dissertation investigates historical trauma, cultural identity, and anti-colonial resistance through Warwerri, a historical fantasy novel centered on three generations of Igbo women during the Aba Women’s War of 1929. Through a blend of realism and fantasy, Warwerri presents colonial Nigeria as a landscape shaped by spiritual legacy and inherited trauma, focusing on Elder Abasi, Chetachi, and Ọnwụbiko—three Ọwa (seers) whose resistance challenges both British imperialism and patriarchal norms. Structured around “event capsules,” the narrative treats colonial trauma as an ongoing force impacting the identities of individuals and communities alike, framing Igbo history through a reimagined lens that transcends conventional historical boundaries. Situating Warwerri within postcolonial and trauma studies, this dissertation explores how the novel functions as a reclamation of Nigerian historical fiction. By amplifying the often-silenced voices of Igbo women and integrating elements of Igbo myth, the narrative preserves cultural memory and challenges simplistic colonial representations. Warwerri thus emerges as a vital contribution to Nigerian literature, offering a nuanced portrayal of resilience and cultural survival amidst the historical realities of colonial oppression.