What can we learn from the kingdoms of Benin and Asante about African histories?
Estelle Cooch
The resource is a scheme of work and introductory lesson on the enquiry question of ‘What can we learn from the kingdoms of Asante and Benin about African histories?’. The enquiry is structured around challenging seven myths of African histories (Toby Green):
- Africa has historically been cut off from the world
- Africa had no place in shaping the modern world
- African history can only be written through European documents
- African history doesn’t change or develop (Hegel)
- African history is the history of the Slave Trade
- “Africans sold Africans”
- Africa was colonised because it was weaker and less advanced
The scheme of work aims to direct teachers towards rich sources that highlight the complexity of African histories and their relations with European slavers.
Attached files:
- Scheme of work_Benin and Asante African histories
50 KB Word document - Medieval Early Modern Africa KO
550.9 KB Powerpoint presentation - African kingdoms knowledge test
27.9 KB Word document - L1_Rulers of the sky tasks
171.6 KB Word document - L1_Who were the rulers of the sky
2.57 MB Powerpoint presentation - L2_Life in Great Benin tasks
445.7 KB Word document - L2_What was life like in Great Benin
3.98 MB Powerpoint presentation - L4,8,9_How do Benin and Asante link to the British Museum
3.45 MB Powerpoint presentation - L5_Who were the Asante
136.8 KB Word document - L6, 7_What was the influence of gold and guns in Asante
5.37 MB Powerpoint presentation - L6_What was the influence of gold and guns in Asante
1.04 MB Word document - L9_End of Asante and Benin kingdoms worddoc
151.5 KB Word document - How did the British colonise Great Benin_StorySourceScholarship
502.4 KB Powerpoint presentation