We're proud to share our new video giving an overview of SOAS Special Collections and the services we offer - have a look! https://t.co/r4zxPCnit3

This accordion-bound prayer book, 慈悲地藏寶懺, (Ci bei Dizang bao chan)was printed in 1898 #EYAReligion https://t.co/NSbd6tKdw4

The Royal Lamba from Madagascar holds significant cultural identity amongst the Malagasy People. Also used as a burial shroud, the Lamba symbolises a connection to their ancestors during times of remembrance, such as funerals. #EYASpirituality

An image of Oha stones in Nagaland. These spirit dwellings & symbols of luck (sometimes kept in homes or granaries) were counted by the village priest at the head-tree. An increase in number was a good omen. #EYASpirituality https://t.co/RAT8gSNBA5

This manuscript of the Kāraṇda-vyūha-sūtra features Avalokiteśvara in Tibeto-Nepalese style, promoting the mantra Ōṃ maṇi padme hūṃ. Written in ornate Nepalese script, its pages are stacked between wooden boards and tied with braid.#EYAReligion

49. Swire Properties, founded in Hong Kong in 1972, began with Taikoo Shing on the former dockyard site. Listed in 1999, it specializes in high-end residential, commercial, and retail projects across Hong Kong, China, and beyond. #JSSArchives50 🧵

48. In 1965, Swire acquired HK’s Coca-Cola franchise by buying Hong Kong Bottlers. In 1989, Coca-Cola partnered with Swire to help relaunch in Mainland China after 40 years. Partnering with CITIC, Swire built bottling plants & networks across 7 provinces #JSSArchives50 🧵

C17th composite manuscript in Gǝ’ǝz (Ethiopic). Written in several hands, it includes a variety of religious texts, the Ethiopian calendar, and passages from Scripture with comments exemplars #EYAReligion https://t.co/oWgA4I7Ddh

47. Launched in 1950, CNCo’s New Guinea Australia Line (NGAL) connected Australia & PNG post-WWII—moving copra, timber, passengers & mining gear. With ships like Shansi & Soochow, NGAL linked remote Pacific ports & helped build regional trade. #JSSArchives50 🧵

46. 1986 Cathay Pacific Airways marked its 40th anniversary by listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The flotation was heavily oversubscribed meaning that demand for shares far exceeded availability shattering Hong Kong records. #JSSArchives50 🧵

Gate of spiritual Valour, entrance to the Forbidden City, Beijing, c.1910 #EYASpirituality

45. Cathay Pacific uniforms evolved from post-war military styles to high fashion. Designers like Pierre Balmain, Hermès, Nina Ricci & Eddie Lau shaped iconic looks. In 2018, trousers were introduced for female crew—marking a shift toward comfort & inclusivity #JSSArchives50 🧵

Our final #BlackHistoryMonth highlight is from our Movement for Colonial Freedom Archive! This selection of publicity material was issued by the anti-colonial and anti-racist campaign group, The Movement for Colonial Freedom. Browse MCF Archive on the SOAS Archives Catalogue!

44. Cathay Pacific’s planes were once grey, white & red. In 1971, the iconic green “lettuce leaf sandwich” livery debuted—Brunswick green with white stripes & a British flag tail. It flew until 1994, when the sleek “brushwing” logo took over. #JSSArchives50 🧵

This #BlackHistoryMonth highlight is from Press cuttings relating to a visit to Jamaica made by Harold Moody in 1947! You can view the full item and more press cuttings in CWM/CMS/Jamaica/Subject Files, Box 1

43. By 1979 Cathay Pacific had acquired its first Boeing 747 and, after a decade of rapid expansion was granted permission in 1980 to fly to London making Hong Kong's flag-carrier a truly international airline at last. #JSSArchives50 🧵

Our conservator has been working her magic recently on some of our palm leaf manuscripts to remove staining and repair brittle edges #EYAConservation

42. On 15 June 1972, CPA Flight 700Z was sabotaged mid-air over South Vietnam. A bomb hidden in a suitcase killed all 81 onboard. The crash site was hard to access due to the war, and though a suspect was arrested, he was later acquitted for lack of evidence #JSSArchives50 🧵

41. In 1948, Cathay Pacific suffered the world’s first mid-air hijacking. Gangsters targeted Miss Macao for its gold cargo. After the pilot was shot, the plane crashed into the sea—killing 25 of 26 onboard. Swire soon distanced itself from the Macau gold run. #JSSArchives50 🧵

Today’s #BlackHistoryMonth highlight is from our rare books collection! Thomas Birch Freeman, West African pioneer is a selection of letters from Thomas Birch Freeman (1809-1890) and William DeGraft (d. c. 1847). MMSL AF-WE065

40. On July 5, 1998, Cathay Pacific’s Flight CX889 “Polar One” became the first nonstop commercial flight from NYC to Hong Kong over the North Pole. The Boeing 747-400 was also the first to land at the new HK International Airport at Chek Lap Kok #JSSArchives50 🧵