In Pictures: Children's Map of Africa
A few years ago I was given a framed picture of a Children's map of Africa made by South African educationalist Margaret Whiting Spilhaus. Originally it had been a scroll intended to be hung and its condition had been deteriorating.
It had originally belonged to my Grandparents who had received it as a gift from a long term South African lodger and who had become very good friends with both them and my Dad. It's history before that I am unsure of.
The map is a joy. It has so much colour and detail and has been a prized possession of mine since receiving it. As far as I have been able to find out the map was produced in the 1920's (this is a guess based on a similar map of Australia made by Margaret Whiting Spilhaus in 1927) and was printed and produced by The Cape Times. Other than that I know very little about it. 
As an educational tool (as was intended) though it is highly questionable, even given the time it was made. It has a Key denoting the locations of precious minerals and resources such as Ivory, Coca, Gold and Copper and these are marked at the exclusion of all else, including many important place names. As wonderful as the map is to look at, the 'tone' is clearly one of exploitation and profiteering.
At the top centre of the map are the flags of the major European colonial powers and also of the United States placing this map firmly in the context as clearly desired by its author.
Around both the top and bottom of the map is a potted history of the Continent, all of which it has to be said is from the perspective of exploration and colonisation by Europeans. Examples of the single frame drawings are shown above and below.
The following passage appears on the reverse;
by Margaret Whiting Spilhaus
Modern educationalists recognise the interrelation of the different branches of learning, and in particular have done much of late to develop the relations between Geography and History. "The land we live in" is not a mere matter of climatic conditions, place names and configuration of land. Place names are the history of discoverers' and builders'. Climate is a dull fact until we discover its influence upon the lives of men; upon their industry; upon vegetation, which is their food and environment. It is also a physiological truth that wherever we sound the human note we arouse the interest of the child, and interest means the retention of the lesson in memory, and therefore work of real educative value.
This new map is designed to compliment the ordinary class map. It is not intended to replace the geographers work. An attempt to combine in so small a compass a mass of geographical detail with the details of human interest would result in confusion. The attempt is to give the child an insight of the life of the country and to inspire him with its possibilities of development and adventure.
Our children in Africa have a special heritage, and a special responsibility. Africa is a mine of treasure. The romance of its magnificent possibilities from north to south progressively unfolds to the student, and he discovers with ever increasing passion that the Golden Age is not yet passed. There comes a day when he will stand before a new revelation.
"Silent, upon a peak in Darien"
The striking image (below) of a white child looking out over the continent next to a crest bearing the words "Behold Child Your Inheritance".
Should anyone have any further information on the 'Children's Map of Africa' or on Margaret Whiting Spilhaus, please do leave a comment or get in touch via Hii Dunia's email address. I would be very interested to hear from you.
Dan
Links & Resources:
The Cape Times - Leading South African paper and original producers of Children's Map of Africa
George Galzer Gallery - Pictures of a similar map made by Margaret Whiting Spilhaus, this time of Australia
University of Cape Town - Interesting list of Manuscripts by Margaret Whiting Spilhaus and left to the University including a possible mention of the Children's map of Africa
2 comments:
This map is the white man's heritage, but not Africa. It should be hidden in shame, its educational value is of brainwashing and preserving the superiority complex of white people, that is still around today.
To be fair I think the article did state that the map was "highly questionable" as a education tool and that the tone "is clearly one of exploitation and profiteering".
Thats not to say that it cannot be appreciated in a modern context as being 'of its time.'
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