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art – some of these are on display in the British Museum. The kingdom’s network of interconnected walls stretched for thousands of miles, enclosing a complex centre of trade and artistic endeavour. The king’s guilds system organised skilled workers – from acrobats to metalworkers – into respective groups, encouraging them to perfect their techniques and pass knowledge from generation to generation. All this makes Benin a great subject for study at primary school. It is heartening that Benin is now an option for primary teachers at Key Stage 2. Although the specific period that the curriculum covers is prior to the 14th and 15th centuries in which the kingdom reached its height, it is also prior to the period of contact with the Europeans and eventual colonisation. This study or a pre-colonial African kingdom is important.
Understanding traditions In publishing Children of the Benin Kingdom our aim has been to bring the kingdom to life, just as it was with our Anglo-Saxon history, Freedom for Bron. We want to offer children an exciting West African story that enriches their understanding of some of the traditions of the region and to do this in a way that does not include transatlantic slavery and colonialism. To be clear, understanding of Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and colonialisation should be a part of every British child’s education. This is a vital
Autumn-Winter 2020
It’s vital for Black children to understand that the continent of their heritage produced... world class works of art, literature and science.
part of decolonising the curriculum. But there must be more. Children must also be enabled to learn about the incredibly rich Black history and culture that pre-dates slavery. If a Black child only encounters their (his)story as one of enslavement, that does not affirm their self-belief. And I believe that all children learn empathy through engaging with others and appreciating the cultures of other communities: this is a book for all children.
As with all the stories we publish at Dinosaur Books Ltd, Children of the Benin Kingdom is an exciting adventure story for any child that enjoys being transported to another world. Whether or not a child is studying the Kingdom of Benin, whatever their heritage, it is a story in a setting that will enrich their understanding of the world. For
Black children, at a time when they are really wondering about how the world works, and their place in it, it provides affirmation that their culture and background is equal to any other that they learn about at school – the Saxons, the Romans, the Greeks. Children must study these cultures but they must study more too. They will definitely study these topics as they are core to the curriculum. They are likely to study slavery. So they must also encounter celebratory Black history. Black History Month is a good prompt to consider introducing some Black History in the curriculum. Children of the Benin Kingdom is, I would argue, a great way to do this. It is also a cracking read! PEN&INC.
l Children of the Benin Kingdom (97819993363) by Dinah Orji is out now.
www.dinosaurbooks.co.uk
PEN&INC. 19
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