Reeling in the Years
A logbook recording the lived experience of OLA Sisters at Zawan Convent, Nigeria during the period 1951-1969.
The logbook of Zawan Convent. Image courtesy of the OLA Provincial Archive.
The Irish Provincial Archive has a number of logbooks from various OLA foundations including Elmina Girls’ School; St Mary’s Convent School, Lagos; OLA Convent, Kaduna; Sacred Heart College, Ubiaja; and others. The logbooks record the lived experience of OLA sisters on the missions, and as such they represent an important historical source. Much valuable information can be gleaned from the logbooks including the relationship between the OLA Sisters and various groups including local people, administrators and the clergy. The logbook records both the challenges faced by OLA Sisters and days of celebration.
Below are some extracts from the logbook of Zawan Convent which covers the period: 1951-1969:
23 Feb. 1951: To-day, Sister Malachy and Sister Fenian arrived at Zaqang to start our new Convent here. They were met by Revd. Fr. Sirlinger P. P., and Revd. Fr. Harrison. Revd. Fr. Carroll drove them out. All was very strange for the first few days. The sisters were kept busy making curtains and arranging the house. So there was little time to be lonely, and they found their new environment very interesting. The flies are numberless here, Sr. Finian is very active in killing them.
25 December 1951: We had midnight Mass in our chapel at 4am. Thieves came and took the girls’ blankets, covers and mats and Church linen and vestments. We were in Jos for our Christmas dinner and had a very enjoyable day.
1 March 1952: All the boarders were vaccinated this [day?] against small-pox. There is an outbreak in the village.
12 October 1953: Miss Foster P.W.E.O. Kaduna, inspected the school to-day and granted us First Leaving Certificate.
9 September 1954: The School girls gave an entertainment for an hour in honour of Rev. Mother Provincial. The Refectory was the local theatre! The girls’ beds made a nice stage, while the Box Room Curtain put on the final stage touches. . .
9 October 1954: Miss Lumsden and Mrs Harman came this afternoon to finish the Testing of our First Class Brownies all passed successfully and so secured the Brownie coveted Golden Hand Badge.
19 October 1954: Organiser for the Northern Region was here for Inspection and examination of the model compound girls. This was her first time coming to Zawan for inspection. She was very pleased with the model compound girls’ work and progress. She also inspected the schoolgirls weaving and needlework and was very pleased with it too.
The logbook of Zawan Convent. Image courtesy of the OLA Provincial Archive.
