Merging with History Early and Late: Challenging Times for D.T. Niane

Abstract

Among the tributes honoring the memory of Djibril Tamsir Niane, this piece surrenders the tempting inclination to discuss some aspect of his scholarly work in favor of a few observations based on my personal experiences in the company of both Niane and his wife. These few brief episodes from a long life colored by historical events and notable people were mostly framed by politically generated circumstances that partly defined Niane’s existence. As a charismatic representative of dramatic times in postindependence Guinea, Niane’s persona was shaped by determined intellectual pursuit in defiance of tyrannical government persecution, and the ability to recognize and embrace serendipitous opportunities. The writer’s personal experiences are framed here in the context of efforts to preserve the D. T. Niane research tape archive.