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SSDr. Nneka GigiAACCRRWorkbookA guide to exploring fun, educational and culturally richactivities inspired by Igbo and Yoruba Water Spirits.EEDDWatersKedu?O dimma!
WorkbookHow to Use This WorkbookWelcome to the Sacred Waters Workbook! This guide is designed to help you explore fun, educational, andculturally rich activities centered around the Igbo and Yoruba water spirits Nne Mmiri (Mami Wata), Oshún, andYemayá. This workbook is intended for preschoolers through grade 6, but certain activities, like the Naija CrosswordPuzzle, are also suitable for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults. Learning across generations can be funand help everyone digest information more concretely!Who Is This Workbook For?How to Navigate the Workbook:Start with the Introduction: Get familiar with the water spirits and their significance in Igbo and Yorubacultures.1.Follow the Activities by Theme: Each section is organized by theme, making it easy to find activities related toliteracy, math, economics, and more.2.Adjust for Age and Skill Level: Activities are designed for various age groups. Younger children may needassistance with more complex tasks, while older students can challenge themselves with advanced activities.3.Use the Glossary and Resources: Refer to the glossary for definitions of key terms and use additional resourcesfor further learning.4.Tips for Success:Encourage Exploration: Let learners explore topics that interest them most. This can lead to a deeperengagement and understanding of the material.1.Make It Interactive: Use discussions, role-playing, and hands-on activities to bring the workbook to life.2.Reflect and Share: Encourage learners to reflect on what they've learned and share their insights with others.3.By exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo and Yoruba water spirits through this workbook, learners willnot only gain valuable knowledge but also develop a deeper appreciation for their own and others' culturalbackgrounds. Daalu, Enjoy the journey!
Literacy (Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, SightWords, Writing, Tracing)Rites of PassageMath/EconomicsGeographySelf-Care/Mental HealthVolunteering and Global CitizenshipAfrican (Igbo & Yoruba) HistoryEntrepreneurshipMedia LiteracyFriendship/RelationshipsSTEM/STEAMBold Femmes in HistoryThemes Explored:
OshúnSignificance:Oshún is one of the most beloved Orishas (deities) in Yoruba religion, revered asthe goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and rivers.She plays a crucial role in Yoruba cosmology, associated with fresh water andthe life-sustaining qualities of rivers and streams.Attributes and Symbolism:Love and Beauty: Oshún represents the ideals of beauty and sensuality. She isoften depicted as a radiant, sensuous woman adorned with jewelry and fineclothes.Fertility and Motherhood: She is the goddess of fertility, often invoked by thoseseeking children or blessings in family life.Wealth and Prosperity: Oshún is also associated with wealth and prosperity,believed to bestow riches and success upon her followers.Healing and Purity: She has healing powers, especially related to feminine healthand emotional well-being. Oshún’s waters are seen as purifying and rejuvenating.Cultural Practices:Rituals and Offerings: Followers offer honey, oranges, cinnamon, and othersweet items to Oshún at rivers and streams. Rituals may include dance and songdedicated to her.Festivals: Festivals like the Oshún-Osogbo Festival celebrate her, involvingelaborate ceremonies, dances, and offerings to honor and appease the goddess.Cultural Context: YorubaOshún: [Oh-shoon]
Why This Workbook is NecessaryThe Sacred Waters Workbook is a vital educational resource for several important reasons:Cultural Representation: Representation matters. This workbook highlights the rich traditions and stories ofIgbo and Yoruba cultures, ensuring that children see themselves reflected in their learning materials. Byexploring the tales of Nne Mmiri (Mami Wata), Oshún, and Yemayá, students connect with their heritage andgain a deeper understanding of their cultural roots.1.Holistic Learning: Integrating cultural themes into various subjects like literacy, math, geography, and historyhelps create a more holistic and engaging learning experience. This interdisciplinary approach not only makeslearning more fun but also more meaningful and relevant to students' lives.2.Promoting Diversity: By incorporating African narratives and perspectives, this workbook enriches theeducational landscape with diverse viewpoints. It fosters an appreciation for multiculturalism and promotesinclusivity in education.3.Empowerment and Identity: Learning about significant figures and traditions from their own culture empowersstudents and reinforces a positive sense of identity. Understanding the legacies of powerful entities like NneMmiri, Oshún, and Yemayá can inspire confidence and pride in their cultural heritage.4.Educational Enrichment: This workbook supports essential skills development in literacy, numeracy, criticalthinking, and emotional intelligence. The activities are designed to be developmentally appropriate and cater toa range of learning styles and abilities.5.Global Citizenship: Teaching children about the importance of community, empathy, and global citizenshipthrough culturally relevant examples prepares them to become informed and compassionate global citizens.6.Preserving Cultural Heritage: By documenting and teaching about Igbo and Yoruba traditions, the workbookplays a role in preserving these rich cultural heritages for future generations. It ensures that the stories, values,and traditions of these cultures are passed down and celebrated.7.Encouraging Curiosity and Creativity: The workbook encourages curiosity and creativity through engagingactivities like storytelling, art, and hands-on projects. These activities help students develop a love for learningand an appreciation for their cultural history.8.This workbook is more than just a collection of exercises; it is a bridge connecting young learners to their culturalheritage, fostering a sense of pride, and promoting a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to education.
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A is for Amala: A beloved Yoruba dish, atasty swallow that's simplydelish.B is for Baobab: 'Tree of Life' so grand, it’s barkand fruit offering over 300uses across the land.C is for Cowries: Shells so divine, onceprized as currency, avaluable find.D is for Dodo: Plantains fried just right, aNigerian delight, day ornight.E is for Eyo Festival: Lagos' grand display, whereEyos in white, with veils andhats bright, honor the Oba'sreign while Opambata's sway.F is for Fufu: A culinary delight, fromboiled and poundedroots, starchy and bright.G is for Gele: Adorning with grace, aYoruba crown, what atradition to embrace!H is for Highlife: From West Africa's coastaldrive, jazz and beats in fusionthrive, birthing Afrobeat'ssoulful dive, with Fela Kuti,music's alive.I is for Ifá: Yoruba's divine guide, alink in the Black Atlantictide, shaping religiouspaths far and wide, aspractitioners traversenations with pride.J is for Jollof Rice:A West African favorite, richin flavor and spice, shared atmany a feast.K is for Kola Nut:A symbol of respect, shared inceremony and delight, bringingpeople together, day and night.L is for Lagos:Nigeria’s bustling city,where culture andmodernity mix, making itever so pretty.M is for Mami Wata:Known as Nne Mmiri amongthe Igbo, she’s the watergoddess, mysterious andfree, guarding rivers andseas.N is for Nollywood:Nigeria’s film industry, tellingstories bold and true,showcasing our culture anew.O is for Oshún:The Yoruba goddess oflove, beauty, and gold,her stories of kindnessand grace are centuriesold.P is for Prayer:Offered to deities likeOshún and Nne Mmiri,seeking guidance andblessings, sincere andfree.Q is for Queen Amina:A warrior queen of Zaria'sland, first to rule Nigeria,mighty and grand.R is for River Niger:A lifeline for many,winding and grand,nurturing life across theland.
Name: Read the word. babaTrace the word. Write the world. Translate the word. Fill in the missing letters.
Name: CowrieSageRiverMermaidDrumCircle your mood:Directions: Say the picture out loud.Draw a line to match the picture with the right name. Word Matching Fun!
Name: Place an X under the Day of the WeekCount the objects and trace the correct number. On Friday, December 30, 2022 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was given what title inAbba, Anambra state? Discuss why this ceremony is significant.
S M T W T F SMy Special Memory with WaterMy Special Memory with WaterDATE :
Name:C U L T U R A L W O R DS O R T SC U L T U R A L W O R DS O R T SRead out loud each word below, Decide if it originated from Igboculture or Yoruba culture. Then, write the words in ABC order in thecorrect category. Igbo CultureIgbo Culture Yoruba CultureYoruba CultureỤmụnna (Extended Family)Ọfọ́ (Ancestral Shrine)Adire (Tie-Dye Fabric)Ọja (Market)Gele (Headwrap)Ọ́kwụ̀ (Drum)Ìlú (Town Square)Àsẹ́ (Divine Authority)Nnenna (Father’s Mother)Oshún (River Goddess)
My worth is not determined by my financial status. I am valuable, deserving, andcapable of achieving abundance.1. I am the architect of my financial future. With determination and resilience, I canovercome any obstacles in my path.2. I honor my ancestors' resilience and wisdom by making empowered financial choicesthat uplift my community.3. I am a steward of my finances, nurturing and growing them to create generationalwealth and prosperity.4. I release scarcity mindset and embrace abundance consciousness. There is morethan enough wealth and opportunities for me to thrive.5. I am resourceful and creative, finding innovative ways to generate income and buildfinancial stability.6. My dreams are valid, and I deserve to pursue them without financial limitations holdingme back.7. I attract prosperity and success into my life with every positive thought and action Itake towards my financial goals.8. I am grateful for the financial blessings that come my way, and I use them to upliftmyself and my community.9. I embrace financial education as a tool for empowerment, continually expanding myknowledge and skills to navigate the world of finance confidently.10. I am worthy of investing in myself and my dreams. Every investment I make in mypersonal and professional growth pays dividends in my future success.11. I release fear and doubt around money, trusting in my ability to attract abundanceand opportunities into my life.12. I am not defined by my past financial struggles. I use them as lessons to propel metowards a brighter and more prosperous future.13. I celebrate my financial wins, no matter how small, knowing that each step forwardbrings me closer to my goals.14. I honor my heritage and cultural traditions, recognizing the resilience and economicingenuity of my ancestors.15. I am a trailblazer, creating new generational cycles of financial prosperity and pavingthe way for future generations to thrive.16. I am surrounded by a supportive community that uplifts and encourages me on myfinancial journey.17. I am worthy of receiving wealth and abundance in all areas of my life, including myfinances.18. I trust in the divine timing of my financial success. Everything is unfolding for my highestgood.19. I am enough. My value and worthiness are inherent, independent of my financialcircumstances.20.
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The Fry words list originates from the "American HeritageWord Frequency Book," which ranks 87,000 wordsaccording to their frequency in reading materials for grades3 to 9. In contrast, Dolch sight words are derived from high-frequency words commonly encountered by students inkindergarten through second grade. Unlike the Dolch List, which hasn't been updated for manyyears, the Fry list is more recent and extensive, comprising1,000 words organized into bands of 100 based on theirfrequency.This list includes basic translations, but the nuances andcontext of each word can affect its translation and usage insentences. Working with an Yoruba language expert oreducator could provide more accurate and contextuallyappropriate translations.Some words may not have direct equivalents in Yoruba ormay require context to be accurately translated.
Dear Educators, Parents, and Students,Thank you for exploring the Sacred Waters Workbook with us!We hope you enjoyed the journey through the rich cultural landscapes ofIgbo and Yoruba traditions, guided by the powerful deities Nne Mmiri (MamiWata), Oshún, and Yemayá.Your participation and feedback are invaluable as we strive to createmeaningful and engaging educational materials. We appreciate yourdedication to culturally rich learning and look forward to bringing you moreresources in the future. Please scan the QR code to complete a feedback survey so that wecontinue to build an equitable educational landscape TOGETHER!Daalu!Dr. Nneka Gigi