Resource created in conjunction with Susan Pitter and the Carnival organising committee, Leodis, Leeds Libraries and West Yorkshire Archive Service.
This resource enables children to explore what the Leeds West Indian Carnival looks like, what it celebrates, and why it is significant to the local area of Chapeltown in Leeds as well as to the wider Leeds community and beyond.
There is also information on other carnivals and festivals held in and around the city of Leeds.
A Global View
In the same year as Europe's first authentic Caribbean Carnival was held in Leeds (1967), the world's first human heart transplant took place in South Africa. In America, Thurgood Marshall became the first African American Supreme Court Justice and Mohammed Ali resisted conscription into the US army to fight in the Vietnam War, receiving a five-year prison sentence (later overturned). Also in this year, South Yemen gained independence from Britain and the 'Six Day War' occurred in June, during which Israel fought against neighbouring Arab nations and managed to significantly expand its borders.
Curriculum Links
- KS2 History: Black History; Local Study (study of an aspect of history dating from a period beyond 1066 that is significant to the locality)
Aims of Resource
This resource enables children to explore what the Leeds West Indian Carnival looks like, what it celebrates, and why it is significant to the local area of Chapeltown in Leeds as well as to the wider Leeds community and beyond.
Learning Objectives
- Knowledge of the history of Carnival, specifically Leeds West Indian Carnival
- Understanding of the roots of the Carnival, and why it is significant to Leeds, Chronological Understanding
- Skills – comparing and contrasting, researching, creating a timeline, creating a quiz, invitation writing
Discussion Ideas
- What words come to mind when you think of ‘Carnival’?
- How do you think the Leeds West Indian Carnival might be different from other carnivals?
- Why is it important that the Leeds West Indian Carnival is celebrated every year?
- How has your understanding of what Carnival means changed since learning about the Leeds West Indian Carnival?
Activity Ideas
- Listen to Claude Hendrickson (one of the organisers of events) at the Fortieth Leeds West Indian Carnival talk about the meaning of Carnival (from 00.44 – 1.36), and decide on three reasons why Carnival is important.
- Listen to the audio clip where Shackeen from Hillcrest Primary School tells us a little about J'ouvert morning. Imagine you are a journalist interviewing Shackeen. Write down a list of questions that you might ask him.
- Listen to Khadijah talk about where the traditions around Carnival come from (from 00.00 - 00.47). Do some more research on the West Indian trade in enslaved Africans.
- Using the ‘What is Carnival?’ fact sheet (see 'Downloads' link below) and research from the Leeds West Indian Carnival website:
- Create a 5-question quiz for someone else, based on the information on the fact sheet
- Write a letter of invitation to someone (a child who lives in another city perhaps), persuading them to come to Carnival. You’ll need to include when it will be held, where, who it is run by, why it is important, and the reasons why they should come along!