African Kingdoms: Benin Kingdom
In this workshop, pupils will have the opportunity to handle objects including artworks made by brass casters in modern-day Benin City as well as exploring the historic objects on display in the Museum.
In the first section of the workshop, pupils will find out about the origins of the Benin Kingdom, including the transition from the first to the second dynasty and the development of its political structure centred around a powerful monarch known as the Oba.
Through hands-on activities, they will explore the importance of trade as well as artworks created by guilds of craftsmen, which were both highly personal objects and acted as historical records.
Pupils will then complete a focused activity in the Museum’s World Gallery and Music Gallery. They will locate artefacts from the Benin Kingdom, interpret their symbolic meaning and draw comparisons with other objects on display.
In the final section of the workshop, pupils will hear about the modern history of the artefacts displayed in the Museum; looted in 1897. These objects were purchased by Frederick Horniman and held in the Museum’s collection for over 120 years. Ownership of these objects was returned to the Nigerian government in November 2022 and we will discuss the significance of this. Pupils will also explore contemporary Edo culture, discovering how traditions from the Benin Kingdom live on today.
Learning Outcomes:
- Pupils understand the origins and development of the Benin Kingdom
- Pupils understand the past and present role of the Oba and chiefs
- Pupils understand how artworks are made and begin to interpret their symbols
- Pupils begin to form opinions about the future of colonial era objects held in museums
Curriculum Links:
Key Stage 3 History
- know […] how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world
- know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world: the nature of ancient civilisations; the expansion and dissolution of empires; characteristic features of past non-European societies;
- achievements and follies of mankind
- understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance, and use them to make connections, draw contrasts
- gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts, understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history
Our new, free Natural History Pop Up exhibition is now open!
Workshop information
How to book
Booking a taught session includes a welcome briefing on arrival, timed access to a lunch space, cloakroom facilities and access to toilets for the exclusive use of school groups.
Contact us to make a booking:
schools@horniman.ac.uk
020 8291 8686
When you contact us please have ready:
– the name of the taught session you would like to book or topic you are studying,
– 1st/2nd/3rd choice of date and preferred session time,
– the number of pupils and adults attending.
Costs
Entrance to the Horniman Museum and Gardens is free of charge. Taught sessions and access to some exhibitions are charged for. We invoice before your visit.
The following charges apply:
Mainstream State schools: £100 including VAT, £83.33 excluding VAT
Private/independent schools: £140 including VAT, £116.67 excluding VAT
SEND schools and groups: £50 including VAT, £41.67 excluding VAT
We offer a bursary scheme for schools that meet a set criteria.
Planning your visit
See the School Trips page for other essential information including our risk assessment.
We are open from 10am-5.30pm. Entrance to the Museum and Gardens is free of charge but must be booked in advance by emailing schools@horniman.ac.uk.
We offer reduced educational rates for our Aquarium, Butterfly House, and Temporary exhibition. See the School Trips page for further information.
Charges apply to all children aged 3 years and over, and all accompanying teachers and adults, unless they are specific 1:1 carers.