Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of the activity. Have you ever visited a place with unique architecture that reflected the local culture? How do you think the design of a building can influence the people who live or work there? Have you heard of the Cassa ethnic group or their traditional practices? What comes to mind when you think of a “royal court”?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Look at the featured image of the royal court of the Cassa ethnic group. What do you see in the image? What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Describe the architecture and decorations you see in the image. How do you think the design of the royal court reflects the culture and traditions of the Cassa ethnic group?
Introduction:
Read the introduction to the activity and learn about the royal court of the Cassa ethnic group, located in the village of Tibili, Burkina Faso. Take note of the unique architecture and the role of the crown princes and their families in arbitrating disputes and preserving traditions.
Video Engagement:
Watch the video The City of Clay | Habitats of the World: Burkina Faso | Free Documentary and pause at the following points:
- After the introduction to the royal court (around 2-3 minutes)
- When the video shows the traditional dwellings and their unique features (around 10-12 minutes)
- When the video discusses the role of women in decorating the houses and preserving cultural heritage (around 20-22 minutes)
At each pause point, reflect on or discuss the following questions:
- What are your initial impressions of the royal court and its architecture?
- How do the traditional dwellings reflect the culture and traditions of the Cassa ethnic group?
- What role do you think women play in preserving cultural heritage in the Cassenna community?
Visit the original post for more information: https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/the-city-of-clay-habitats-of-the-world-burkina-faso-free-documentary/
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus:
Review the key vocabulary and grammar focus on the use of the present perfect continuous tense. Complete the vocabulary quiz and grammar quiz to test your understanding.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Cassa Ethnic Group | An ethnic group located in the village of Tibili, Burkina Faso, with a rich cultural heritage and traditional practices. | The Cassa ethnic group has a unique royal court that serves as a center of political and religious power. |
| Royal Court | A center of political and religious power, home to the crown princes and their families, responsible for arbitrating disputes and preserving traditions. | The royal court of the Cassa ethnic group is a symbol of their rich cultural heritage and traditional practices. |
| Concessions | Areas within the royal court reserved for notables, princes, and chiefs, organized into multiple households. | The royal court is divided into concessions, each containing several households with extended family members. |
| Traditional Dwellings | Houses built using traditional techniques and materials, such as mud huts with colorful decorations, serving as a means of protection and preservation of cultural heritage. | The traditional dwellings of the Cassa ethnic group are designed to provide protection and preserve their cultural heritage. |
| Loadbearing Walls | Walls designed to support the weight of a building, often made from local and recycled materials, such as earth mixed with straw. | The traditional houses of the Cassa ethnic group feature loadbearing walls made from local and recycled materials. |
| Family Solidarity | A valued tradition in Cassenna culture, where family and community come together to build a house, promoting collective labor and social bonds. | The Cassa ethnic group practices family solidarity, where community members come together to build a house and promote social bonds. |
| Symbolism | The use of symbols and motifs to represent and remember important aspects of life, such as morning, conflicts, and protection, serving as a checklist to remind the Cassenna people of their identity and key aspects of their culture. | The Cassenna people use symbolism to represent and remember important aspects of their life, preserving their cultural heritage and identity. |
| Cultural Identity | The preservation and transmission of cultural heritage, values, and traditions, often through storytelling, songs, and daily activities. | The Cassa ethnic group preserves their cultural identity through storytelling, songs, and daily activities, passing down their heritage to younger generations. |
| Community Involvement | The participation of community members in collective labor, such as building a house, promoting social bonds and unity. | The Cassa ethnic group promotes community involvement, where members come together to build a house and strengthen social bonds. |
| Decoration and Painting | The act of decorating and painting houses, often done by women, serving as a means of artistic expression and preservation of cultural heritage. | The women of the Cassa ethnic group play a significant role in decorating and painting houses, preserving their cultural heritage and artistic expression. |
Complete the vocabulary quiz:
- Which type of house in the Cassa ethnic group’s royal court is reserved for grandmothers, serving as guardians of family treasures and fetishes?
- A) Round huts
- B) Rectangular houses
- C) Figure-eight shaped houses
- D) Pyramid-shaped houses
- What is the primary purpose of the single, low entrance in traditional Cassenna dwellings?
- A) To allow for more natural light
- B) To serve as a means of protection
- C) To provide better ventilation
- D) To create a grand entrance
- What materials are often used by the Cassenna people for building, showcasing their resourceful and sustainable approach to construction?
- A) Imported wood and steel
- B) Local and recycled materials, such as earth mixed with straw
- C) Mud and thatch
- D) Stone and concrete
- Who plays a significant role in decorating the houses in the Cassenna community, including painting murals that serve as a protective coating against the rain?
- A) Men
- B) Children
- C) Women
- D) Elders
- What is the term used to describe the valued tradition in Cassenna culture where a family and community come together to build a house, allowing children to learn construction skills?
- A) Community labor
- B) Family solidarity
- C) Collective effort
- D) Traditional building
Answer Key:
- C
- B
- B