Sources for Primary History
The Kingdom of Benin
The National Curriculum for history at key stage 2 requires that children be taught about 'a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history – one study chosen from: early Islamic civilization, including a study of Baghdad c. AD 900; Mayan civilization c. AD 900; Benin (West Africa) c. AD 900-1300.
This page aims to provide an introduction to the ancient civilisation of Benin through a sequence of videos and activities.
Introduction
Begin by watching the short video below - best watched in Full Screen Mode or using the 'Watch on youtube.com' option. Or you can view content as a PDF file here.
Research Activity
Now engage in some independent research about Benin using this Benin Web Links resource and the template below (Word file).
Use the grid to structure your research under headings. You can either choose to find out a few facts under all the headings or focus on just one heading and try to find out as much as you can about that theme. The headings have been chosen to enable you to focus on key aspects of the Benin civilisation from its early stages to its collapse in the 19th Century as a result of British colonialism. The Benin Bronzes not only provide an insight into arts and crafts, they also provide information about Benin's rulers and warriors.
A Benin Bronze
The story of Benin is often told from the perspectives of the merchants and traders from Europe that encountered the civilisation from the 15th Century onwards. The video below gives another viewpoint. George the Poet looks through the eyes of a figure in one of the Bronzes and tells the story from his perspective. Watch the video - does it answer the key question as to why so many of the Benin Bronzes are displayed in the British Museum? Again best watched in Full Screen Mode or using the 'Watch on youtube.com' option.
As you might expect, the location of so many Bronzes in the British Museum is a controversial issue for many Nigerians and others. The story of how they got there is told in this video from the Open University, which also outlines some of the issues surrounding them.
Optional Activity: Keep or Return?
The two documents in PDF format below give reasons for or against returning the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. They are intended for use with children at key stage two. Print and cut out the cards on each side of the argument - carry out a diamond ranking activity for each set of cards to identify the most convincing reasons for keeping in Britain or returning the Bronzes. Alternatively you could reflect on the arguments on both sides and come to a considered decision about the issue. This webpage provides an overview of the arguments about repatriation of artefacts.
