A Changing African Village Trunk
Saint Paul Public Schools
Multicultural Resource Center
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A Changing African Village Trunk
Overview:
This trunk contains an amazing array of artifacts depicting life in a traditional village in Liberia during a time of transition. New European/American ways were beginning to supplant traditional ways, creating an internal conflict for many. This trunk is based on the book, "Red Dust on The Green Leaves", which tells the story of a pair of twins growing up in this environment. One twin gravitates towards the new and the other to maintaining the old. Activities provided are open ended and constructive. This kit would be an excellent period study and entry point to discussing geographic and economic colonialism. The MRC also has a class set of the book mentioned above.

 

Materials in trunk:


  • Teacher Resource Book and overhead transparencies
  • Red Dust on the Green Leaves by John Gay (this book tell the story of Kpelle twins who struggle to choose between traditional and western ways a class set is available for check out from the MRC)
  • Liberia, FACES Magazine
  • Supplemental lessons on Folktales and Critical Issue Research (this booklet)

The kit comes with lesson ideas for the various artifacts as well as a supplement for learning about life in modern Liberia.

  1. Raffia Skirt
  2. Dancers whip (missing)
  3. Leg Rattles (2)
  4. One Headed Animal Skin Drum
  5. Small Bamboo Slit Drum
  6. Gourd Rattle
  7. Wooden Horn (set of 4)
  8. Cowry Shells
  9. Malang Game
  10. Seeds for Game (in bag, #)
  11. Doll
  12. Highlife Record (missing)
  13. National Anthem (missing)
  14. Basket Net
  15. Scoop Net
  16. Piassava Slingshot
  17. Rubber Slingshot
  18. Thread
  19. Spinner
  20. Shuttle
  21. Cloth
  22. Stool
  23. Hard Mat
  24. Hammock
  25. Lappa/cloth for carrying baby (missing)
  26. Cutlass Knife (missing)
  27. Kwii Cutlass (missing)
  28. Hoe (missing)
  29. Rice Cutting Knife (missing)
  30. Iron Money
  31. Kwii Money (missing)
  32. Clay Pot
  33. Aluminum Pot
  34. Rice Spoon
  35. Mortar
  36. Rice Fanner
  37. Basket
  38. Rice Bag
  39. Wallet
  40. Calabash (missing)
  41. Palm Kernels (missing)
  42. Kola Nuts ( missing)
  43. Chiefs Gown (missing)
  44. Country Cloth Shirt (missing)
  45. Fanti Shirt (missing)
  46. Comb
  47. Bracelet
  48. Head Tie (missing)
  49. Bracelet (2)
  50. Hair Pin (2)
  51.  Seeds
  52.  Soap (missing)
  53.  Exercise Book
  54. Newspaper (missing)
  55. The Liberian Constitution
  56. Interior Regulations of 1932 (Missing)
  57. Kpelle Language Primer
  58. Town Spirit Carving
  59. Ring (missing)