The Diaries of Barthélémy Boganda, Priest and Politician in French Equatorial Africa (1910-1959)

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Periodical article

Title:	The Diaries of Barthélémy Boganda, Priest and Politician in French Equatorial Africa (1910-1959)
Author:	Walraven, Klaas van
Year:	2017
Periodical:	History in Africa (ISSN 1558-2744)
Volume:	44
Pages:	237-264
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Congo (Republic of) Central African Republic Chad Gabon
Subjects:	Politics and Government Religion and Witchcraft
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1017/hia.2016.14
Abstract:	This article presents an analysis of the diaries of Barthélémy Boganda, priest and later politician in French Equatorial Africa. So far unknown, these diaries, stored in the archives of the French Spiritans, shed light on earlier stages of Boganda's life, on which fewer sources are available. The article first discusses the broad historical background of colonialism in French Equatorial Africa and the significance of Barthélémy Boganda as an historical figure, also comparing him with other leaders of Africa's decolonization struggles. It then analyses the nature of his diaries and their different entries and argues that it is through this source material that one can better understand the complexity of his person and the historical depth of his attitudes, thoughts and action.