Subject Doors to Learning: English and Language Arts. The Elephant

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1 IYARE! Splendor & Tension in Benin s Palace Theatre November 8, 2008 March 1, 2009 University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Subject Doors to Learning: English and Language Arts Discussion of effective description (Elephant, Leopard) Discussion of metaphoric language (Leopard) Discussion of vocabulary (Elephant, Leopard, Mudfish) Practice of creative writing (Elephant, Leopard) The Elephant Stylized elephant head carved on a 19 th century tusk from the Benin Kingdom, Nigeria University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 2008 Introduction: The elephant inhabits the Benin Kingdom s forest environment, and is symbolically associated with its ruler because of its power; it is, however, even more closely associated with important chiefs, and with the concept of gathering riches and esoteric knowledge. Numerous objects in the IYARE! exhibition include representations of elephants and elephants heads, their trunks ending in a human hand; they can provide interesting starting points for discussions in a variety of disciplines at varying grade levels. Use the inspiractions (inspiration for a lesson plan plus activities) below to lead students into new areas of learning connected to Africa. IYARE! Doors to Learning Subject Door English 2008 Kathy Curnow Page 1 of 6

2 Elephant: The elephant s power makes it a symbol of the Ọba of Benin, but also of his highestranking chiefs. Ivory is a royal prerogative, a precious material only he wears freely. Inspiractions for lesson plans: With this in mind, one can adapt activities to appropriate grade levels. Vocabulary: Sumptuary laws apply to many materials in Benin, such as ivory. Students should go through the exhibition information and find out what other sumptuary laws were in effect among the Ẹdo. Have students look up the term and its etymology, and consider which valuable media in the U.S. might be considered if sumptuary laws were imposed. Have students look up the word prehensile and its etymology, and consider what other animal features display this trait. Creative Writing: Have students create short stories about the imposition of sumptuary laws in the U.S. and the consequences. Have students read the short oral history about the Iyase n Ode in the social studies section, and transform it into a dramatic one-act play in flashback, beginning with the casting guild s presentation of a brass staff depicting the monarch atop an elephant to the king. IYARE! Doors to Learning Subject Door English 2008 Kathy Curnow Page 2 of 6

3 The Leopard 19 th century brass leopard from the Benin Kingdom, Nigeria University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 2008 Introduction: The leopard inhabits the Benin Kingdom s forest environment, and is symbolically associated with its ruler because of its beauty and deadliness. Numerous objects in the IYARE! exhibition include representations of leopards; they can provide interesting starting points for discussions in a variety of disciplines at varying grade levels. Use the inspiractions (inspiration for a lesson plan plus activities) below to lead students into new areas of learning connected to Africa. Leopard: The Ọba of Benin is identified with the leopard. One word describes the leopard as a wild animal (atalakpa), while another word (ẹkpẹn) describes the animal as a royal symbol. The royal animal is called ẹkpẹn n oha ( leopard of the bush ), while the monarch is called ẹkpẹn n owa ( leopard of the house ). Inspiractions for lesson plans: With this definition in mind, one can adapt activities to appropriate grade levels. Vocabulary: English words associated with the leopard include feline, predatory, prey, and nocturnal. Have students use the dictionary to look up the meaning an etymology of these words. Discuss figurative language, then have students correctly apply the words to human beings. Symbolism: Have students consider animal references in similes and metaphors dogs, cats, bears, lions, birds, etc. What animals can they think of without any associations? Can they create some? Euphemisms: Define the concept of the euphemism. The Benin monarch is a divine king; he is said not to eat, sleep, or die. Allusions to these behaviors refer to the leopard: The leopard is in the shelter means he is asleep; The leopard is in the wilderness means he is sick. What are some other euphemisms that could be created? IYARE! Doors to Learning Subject Door English 2008 Kathy Curnow Page 3 of 6

4 Wordplay: If a hunter accidentally killed a leopard in Benin, he had to bring it to the city and respond to a grilling by palace officials. They would ask him repeatedly what kind of leopard it was, ẹkpẹn n oha or ẹkpẹn n owa. If, under stress, he mistakenly said ẹkpẹn n owa, he was killed, for it was as if he had admitted to assassination. Discuss puns, tongue twisters and other forms of wordplay with your students and have them experiment. Creative Writing: Have students transform the brief oral history pertaining to Ọba Ẹwuare from the Social Studies section into a short story, but place it into a contemporary American setting. IYARE! Doors to Learning Subject Door English 2008 Kathy Curnow Page 4 of 6

5 The Mudfish Detail of two mudfish on a bell, Benin City, Nigeria University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 2008 Introduction: The term mudfish incorporates a number of species and sub-species of fish that are common in the Benin Kingdom; some can be found throughout West Africa and varieties are known in the U.S., particularly in Louisiana and Mississippi. They can crawl over short distances, or stay alive in mud alone, reviving when water covers them. These unusual features make them powerful symbols, but they are also popular foodstuffs. Numerous objects in the IYARE! exhibition include representations of mudfish; they can provide interesting starting points for discussions in a variety of disciplines at varying grade levels. Use the inspiractions (inspiration for a lesson plan plus activities) below and resources on the IYARE! website ( to lead students into new areas of learning connected to Africa. Liminal (adj.): Able to cross boundaries; straddling two states of being; betwixt and between Applications of word: This word is frequently used to describe African adolescents going through initiations, since they are crossing the threshold of childhood into adulthood. The Ẹdo of Nigeria s Benin Kingdom do not have initiation of this sort, but that idea could be explored through other African cultures, such as the Mende or Temne of Sierra Leone, the Toma/Loma of Guinea and Liberia, the Yaka, Suku or Nkanu of Congo, the Chokwe of Angola and Zambia. A second common application of this word in African Studies is to types of animals and, by extension, types of persons. A liminal animal crosses boundaries of earth to water or earth to air. These animals often symbolize persons who can cross the borders of this, the human world and the invisible, or supernatural world. In many regions, such as Benin, such persons include the ruler, priests or priestesses and ritual experts, and witches. IYARE! Doors to Learning Subject Door English 2008 Kathy Curnow Page 5 of 6

6 Inspiractions for lesson plans: With this definition in mind, one can adapt activities to appropriate grade levels. Use of dictionary: Phonetic symbols and guides; etymology. Ambiguity according to field exploring physiological and psychological readings. Age of words: use the online Oxford English Dictionary to explore the age and origin of this word. 1. Identification of liminal animals: For Benin art, hunt through the actual or online exhibition to find crocodiles, mudfish, birds, pythons. Why are pythons liminal animals, but not most snakes? Why are most birds liminal animals, but not chickens? What other common liminal animals exist in Africa and in other parts of the world? 2. Symbolism: Discuss similes and metaphors. Explore the concept of visual metaphors; in Benin art, liminal animals are often used in visual imagery concerning individuals with extraordinary powers. 3. Popular Culture: Stimulate discussion of how many superheroes are associated with liminality. IYARE! Doors to Learning Subject Door English 2008 Kathy Curnow Page 6 of 6