Nicole's+WHAPwork

Nicole's Notes

Jasmine, Cecile, Jae, Nicole's thesis for foot binding: Both foot binding in China and modern expectations of female beauty are driven by pressure from society and are forms of physical destruction, but the methods of physical destruction is different for each.

What advice would you offer the last of the ming emperors in 1635?

Your majesty, as I observed a few of our communities around our empire, I have witnessed many of our peasants and lower class showing discontent for your reign. Many of them are starving from lack of food, some of them even resorting to chewing on bark and grass roots. I think your Majesty should keep in mind, that it is the peasant and lower class that makes up most of our population. When the peasants and the lower class is growing discontent for your administration, the whole empire is in danger as they can revolt at any moment. While your majesty is leading a pleasant life in the Forbidden City with eunuchs presenting you with beautiful concubines, those men out the of the walls of the palace are enraged. I know that your eunuchs are the most educated, learned men around are empire, however, they are not wise men; their sole interest is to earn the favor of Your Majesty, in return for your wealth. Their choices and advices will only please you, not our citizens. Thus, I humbly advise you, Your Majesty, to abandon some of the advice given by your corrupt eunuchs and start considering what is best for the people. That way, you can keep your empire, your reign, away from danger.

10/10

According to King Afonso, what has been the detrimental effects of Portuguese presence in the Kingdom?

The Kingdom of Kongo in West Africa, under the “cooperation” with the Portuguese, met dissension and instability, as well as a collapse in King Afonso’s authority. The Portuguese men often kidnapped the natives of Kongo into enslavement, treated them inhumanely and sent them off to the Americas. With many of his citizens furious at the unauthorized enslavement, King Afonso also lost the support of his people. On top of all, the introduction of diseases from Europe has devastated the population even more, putting the Kingdom of Kongo on the verge of collapse.

What might we infer from these works about Portuguese- Benin relations and the attitudes of the people of Benin towards the Portuguese?

The elaborate work of the the Benin- Portuguese Saltcellar and the Benin Wall Plaque displays a relationship beyond friendship and affinity, perhaps the Benin people’s fidelity towards the Portuguese. First, the two works are carved on the base of a valuable material, ivory and bronze, which shows that the Portuguese that are displayed in both the artworks are of great importance to the people of Benin. In addition, the two heads of creatures in the Benin Wall Plaque represent the importance the Portuguese carry in their relationship, as they are both placed near the large figure in the center showing its importance, the oba, or the divine king.

What benefits did the king enjoy from this arrangement?

The Ibani king enjoyed from this extensive trade with the English luxurious goods that were traded with the slaves, in which he was able to obtain at almost no cost at all. By increasing the price of the slaves to thirteen bars for men, nine for women, and proportionately for boys and girls, the king obtained even more bars of iron, and received numerous presents from the English, including firelocks which were able to be used for perhaps capturing more slaves in the future and having a greater dominance in his lands.

10/10 - 4 (more than 3 days late) = 6/10