# Lesson Plan: Pre-Colonial Administration in Africa
**Grade Level:** Senior Secondary 2
**Subject:** Government
**Duration:** 80 minutes
**Topic:** Pre-Colonial Administration
### Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Define pre-colonial administration.
2. Identify different types of pre-colonial administrative systems in Africa.
3. Understand the roles and functions of leaders and institutions in pre-colonial societies.
4. Analyze the impact of pre-colonial administration on contemporary African governance.
### Materials:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and computer (if available)
- Handouts with relevant information (e.g., maps, historical summaries)
- Textbook or reference materials on African history and government
- Copies of excerpts from relevant primary sources (e.g., oral histories, early explorers' accounts)
- Videos/documentaries on pre-colonial African civilizations (optional)
### Lesson Outline:
#### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Greeting and Attendance:**
- Greet students and take attendance.
2. **Warm-Up Activity:**
- Quick brainstorming session on what students already know about African civilizations before European colonization.
- Write key terms mentioned by students on the whiteboard (e.g., kingdoms, chiefs, folklore).
3. **Lesson Overview:**
- Introduce the topic and outline the lesson objectives.
#### Instruction (30 minutes)
1. **Definition and Overview:**
- Explain what is meant by "pre-colonial administration" in the context of Africa.
- Discuss the general characteristics of pre-colonial societies (e.g., clans, kinship systems, tribal organizations).
2. **Types of Pre-Colonial Administrative Systems:**
- Centralized Systems:
- Kingdoms and Empires (e.g., Ghana Empire, Mali Empire, Songhai Empire)
- The role of kings and their councils
- Decentralized Systems:
- Stateless societies (e.g., Igbo of Nigeria, Kikuyu of Kenya)
- Clan leaders and elders
3. **Leaders and Institutions:**
- Roles of leaders such as Obas, Emirs, and Kings.
- Functions of councils, assemblies, and other institutions in governance.
- Importance of customs, traditions, and oral laws.
4. **Interactive Discussion:**
- Open up a discussion to compare and contrast the different types of pre-colonial administrations.
- Highlight the unique attributes of each system.
#### Activities (25 minutes)
1. **Group Work:**
- Divide the students into groups and assign each group an African civilization or community (e.g., Asante, Zulu, Hausa, Igbo, etc.).
- Provide each group with handouts and reference materials.
- Task: Research and present the administrative structure, roles, and major institutions of their assigned society.
2. **Presentations:**
- Each group will present their findings to the class.
- Allow time for questions and clarifications after each presentation.
#### Application (10 minutes)
1. **Class Discussion:**
- Lead a discussion on the relevance of pre-colonial administrative practices to contemporary governance in Africa.
- How do traditional systems influence modern political structures?
#### Conclusion (5 minutes)
1. **Summary:**
- Recap the main points of the lesson.
- Emphasize the diversity and complexity of pre-colonial administrative systems in Africa.
2. **Homework Assignment:**
- Assign students to write a short essay on how pre-colonial governance in a specific African society has influenced its modern political system.
### Assessment:
- Participation in discussions and activities.
- Quality and clarity of group presentations.
- Understanding of key concepts based on responses during class discussions.
- Evaluation of the homework essay for comprehension and critical analysis.
### Additional Notes:
- Adapt the lesson to the available resources and students' interests.
- Consider incorporating multimedia resources like videos or documentaries if time permits.
- Encourage students to bring in additional information or artifacts related to pre-colonial African societies for a more engaging classroom experience.