The Equiano Society was formed in London in November 1996. Its main objective is to publicise and celebrate the life and work of
Olaudah Equiano. The society consists of a group of individuals who share information with people in the community about a former Slave who deserves national and international recognition for his achievements. The society celebrates and publicise the achievements of Equiano's contemporaries: Ignatius Sancho, Phillis Wheatley, Ottobah Cugoano, and others who made outstanding contributions to the
African literary heritage.
The
Equiano Society is not a debating society, nor does it ask its supporters to become formal members or pay a membership fee. Instead, it organises events in the community to which all are welcome. In recent years it has organised some very successful events including a 'community conference' with the title Olaudah Equiano in Camden, and an evening of readings and music called: Ignatius Sancho: a Celebration.
The Equiano Project
The Equiano Society and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery have received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards a major Project to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Act to abolish the transatlantic Slave Trade, and to commemorate the life and times of one of its principal opponents, Olaudah Equiano, "the African," who published his autobiography in London in 1789.
There will be:
a. The ‘Big (National) Exhibition’ from October 2007 - This will be a significant heritage resource: a major landmark exhibition first in Birmingham, then in London, and other cities focusing on the life and times of Equiano. It will include:
i. Workshops with community and school groups taking place during the development of the exhibition.
ii. Events, seminars, family workshops and conferences.
b. The ‘Small Exhibition’ - This will be a small ‘flat pack’ exhibition that will tour regionally and nationally to museums, libraries and community centres.
i. Engage with their communities, with relevant events and drama workshops.
ii. Hold talks/conferences & create Heritage trails.
c. Education Pack - A schools based resource based on the National Curriculum: this will be distributed regionally and nationally.
d. Website Project – website, updated and continuing after the cessation of the exhibition.
The Exhibition intends to feature objects, documents, paintings, etc under the following heading:
1. Life in mid 18th century Africa, etc,
2. Equiano is captured and sold into slavery
3. On the slave ship; the conditions, etc
4. Sold again in Barbados; plantation life there
5. Equiano sold in Virginia; plantation life, etc
6. His name is changed to Gustavus Vassa; taken to England; is baptised
7. Equiano in the Royal Navy; The Seven Year War; Life at sea
8. Slavery in the Caribbean; Petty tradesman; he buys his freedom
9. His travels and experiences
10. Zong (a Liverpool ship) / Granville Sharp
11. Africans in 18th century London/Britain; employment/music/entertainment
12. The Sierra Leone project
13. The Sons of Africa lobby against the Trade
14. Letters to British media against slave trade, etc
15. Publishes book: The Interesting Narrative; travels the UK to promote/sell it; other editions; book reviews, letters to the press, etc
16. Equiano’s contribution to the abolition of the slave trade
17. Anti-slavery publicity; Anti-Abolition material; etc
18. Abolitionists: Dr Peckard, Sharp, Wilberforce, Clarkson, and others.
19. Politics and social life of the period.
20. Contemporary paintings, artefact, documents, etc.
21. Equiano’s religious convictions/experiences; Methodism, Whitefield; John Wesley.
22. Equiano’s marriage, children, his Will.
23. His connection with Abolitionists in Birmingham.
24. His connection with Thomas Hardy, and the London Correspondence Society.
25. Equiano’s death in 1797, the enormity of his appeal within the British Empire, and the world.
26. Equiano’s legacy in the 21st Century.
