kingdom of benin study
Submit a poem
Here is a collection of children's poetry which can be used as stimulus to compose their own.
Black History acrostic
Brave men and women doing extra ordinary things
Lots of love to share with one and all, is their song
Always putting others’ needs before theirs is their feat
Checking that ethics is the order of the day
Knowing that time will be the judge of all
History celebrating efforts and achievement of the great
Inspiring tales which guide others to keep on the straight and narrow
Sometimes easier said than done
Tomorrow comes with its own challenges
Other people’s needs and rights weigh heavily on the mind
Rallying around good causes to care about, is no bother
Yielding to inner pressures in choosing between right and wrong and getting it right; doing the right thing even when others cannot see.
What black champions do with their gifts
Muhammed Ali, he had a gold medal
He threw it in the river to make a point.
Nelson Mandela, he had strong anti apartheid speeches
He was forced to take these behind bars for 29 years, becoming president after that.
Martin Lurther King, he had a dream that everyone would be judged on their own merit
He gave us utopia to aspire to.
Prince Aigbogun, he had a Blacksmith Bellows and a bicycle
He went around Esanland sculpturing Benin Ada and Eben marvels for kingdom kings.
Mary Seacole, she had bottles of herbs
She took them to the Crimean War to heal injured soldiers.
Olaudah Equiano, he had a chiefly tale to tell in the slave quarters
He put these down on paper, taking it over the seas.
My teacher, she has the gift of the jab
She takes it to telling black history from the beginning.
Me, I have a colourful imagination
I don’t know what I’ll do with it, just yet.
When They Call
When they call to make notes on amazing African achievements,
I’ll be there helping.
When they call to know who is who in the African history hall of fame,
I’ll be there helping.
When they call to know which names merit praise singing,
I’ll be there helping.
When they call for a list of commemorative activities to honour them,
I’ll be there helping.
When they call to collect certificates of achievements for star pupils on African history,
I’ll be there helping.
...and when they call for names to put on the certificates
I’ll definitely be there!
Harvest
Harvest is a time to remember our brothers, one and all
Harvest is a time to seek out anyone without
Harvest is a time to remember others in the community
Harvest is a time to share our little or much
Harvest is a time to be happy as one brotherhood in the community.
People give thanks to God for their food
People give thanks to God for an abundant harvest
People give thanks to God for the fertile soil
People give thanks to God for the sun, the rain and the moon
People give thanks to God for all that they have
We celebrate our joy
We celebrate God’s kindness
We celebrate each other
We celebrate rewards of our efforts
We celebrate a prosperous new year.
Some slaughter a cow, cook and share with others
Some cook cauldrons of food to share with one and all
Some party all day, even for five days
Some sing, pray and decorate their prayer houses
Some nominate a harvest master.
Harvest time is remembering others and sharing with them
Harvest time is about others’ happiness and well being
Harvest time is making sure others have enough to live on
Harvest time is remembering that we are all helpless without the grace of God.
Harvest time is this message:
‘I am because you are!’ an African adage.
When the Harvest Fails
When the Harvest Fails:
Misery, hunger, thirst
Anger, distress, cries
Weakness, illness, pity
Kwashiorkor, death
Live aid, charity
When the Harvest Fails, agony!
A Good Harvest
Abundant food in:
Sacks, bags, shops
Baskets, kitchen, pots
Plates, bowls, stomach
Abundant food for you and me!
Market Chant
Come and buy my:
Bananas, kiwi, melon, oranges, strawberries
Cassava, garri, potatoes, rice, yam
Okra, peppers, peas, spinach, sweet corn
Beef, chicken, mutton, pork, sausages, fish.
One pound a bag!
Here is a collection of children's poetry which can be used as stimulus to compose their own.
Black History acrostic
Brave men and women doing extra ordinary things
Lots of love to share with one and all, is their song
Always putting others’ needs before theirs is their feat
Checking that ethics is the order of the day
Knowing that time will be the judge of all
History celebrating efforts and achievement of the great
Inspiring tales which guide others to keep on the straight and narrow
Sometimes easier said than done
Tomorrow comes with its own challenges
Other people’s needs and rights weigh heavily on the mind
Rallying around good causes to care about, is no bother
Yielding to inner pressures in choosing between right and wrong and getting it right; doing the right thing even when others cannot see.
What black champions do with their gifts
Muhammed Ali, he had a gold medal
He threw it in the river to make a point.
Nelson Mandela, he had strong anti apartheid speeches
He was forced to take these behind bars for 29 years, becoming president after that.
Martin Lurther King, he had a dream that everyone would be judged on their own merit
He gave us utopia to aspire to.
Prince Aigbogun, he had a Blacksmith Bellows and a bicycle
He went around Esanland sculpturing Benin Ada and Eben marvels for kingdom kings.
Mary Seacole, she had bottles of herbs
She took them to the Crimean War to heal injured soldiers.
Olaudah Equiano, he had a chiefly tale to tell in the slave quarters
He put these down on paper, taking it over the seas.
My teacher, she has the gift of the jab
She takes it to telling black history from the beginning.
Me, I have a colourful imagination
I don’t know what I’ll do with it, just yet.
When They Call
When they call to make notes on amazing African achievements,
I’ll be there helping.
When they call to know who is who in the African history hall of fame,
I’ll be there helping.
When they call to know which names merit praise singing,
I’ll be there helping.
When they call for a list of commemorative activities to honour them,
I’ll be there helping.
When they call to collect certificates of achievements for star pupils on African history,
I’ll be there helping.
...and when they call for names to put on the certificates
I’ll definitely be there!
Harvest
Harvest is a time to remember our brothers, one and all
Harvest is a time to seek out anyone without
Harvest is a time to remember others in the community
Harvest is a time to share our little or much
Harvest is a time to be happy as one brotherhood in the community.
People give thanks to God for their food
People give thanks to God for an abundant harvest
People give thanks to God for the fertile soil
People give thanks to God for the sun, the rain and the moon
People give thanks to God for all that they have
We celebrate our joy
We celebrate God’s kindness
We celebrate each other
We celebrate rewards of our efforts
We celebrate a prosperous new year.
Some slaughter a cow, cook and share with others
Some cook cauldrons of food to share with one and all
Some party all day, even for five days
Some sing, pray and decorate their prayer houses
Some nominate a harvest master.
Harvest time is remembering others and sharing with them
Harvest time is about others’ happiness and well being
Harvest time is making sure others have enough to live on
Harvest time is remembering that we are all helpless without the grace of God.
Harvest time is this message:
‘I am because you are!’ an African adage.
When the Harvest Fails
When the Harvest Fails:
Misery, hunger, thirst
Anger, distress, cries
Weakness, illness, pity
Kwashiorkor, death
Live aid, charity
When the Harvest Fails, agony!
A Good Harvest
Abundant food in:
Sacks, bags, shops
Baskets, kitchen, pots
Plates, bowls, stomach
Abundant food for you and me!
Market Chant
Come and buy my:
Bananas, kiwi, melon, oranges, strawberries
Cassava, garri, potatoes, rice, yam
Okra, peppers, peas, spinach, sweet corn
Beef, chicken, mutton, pork, sausages, fish.
One pound a bag!