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1902 - Ashantee village in Sheffield
In 1902 the British Empire was at its height. School children
were taught from maps that showed foreign lands coloured red
to show that they 'belonged' to Britain. Five years earlier,
Queen Victoria had celebrated 60 years on the throne by parading
an army of the Empire; soldiers from all parts of the world.
So it's not surprising that there was a growing curiosity
about the people from other countries.
It seems that a showman had seen the chance to make money
and had brought, from Ghana in Africa, 100 villagers. This
Ashantee village would tour Britain, staying in a city for
a month before moving on.
Britain had suppressed an uprising by the Ashantee people
in the previous year - Ghana would not become independent
until 1957, as the Empire died.
a typical Ashantee house
The visitors to the village gathered round and watched while
the villagers danced and carried out their work. Craftsmen
made silver and golden rings, wove baskets, carved wood and
ivory, and the women cooked dinner for the whole village.
See
Kai Akosia Meusa.
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Q12. Ashantee Views |
more questions |
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- How do you think you'd feel if you were in the village?
- Would you feel uncomfortable being watched all the
time?
- What do you think the villagers thought of Sheffield?
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