Abina and the Important Men: The Case of Regina V. Quamina Eddoo
An Historical Mock Trial for High School and College
This trial is based on the book Abina and the Important Men, which has long been one of my favorite sources for understanding the complexities of colonialism and slavery. As graphic history, it brings forth a powerful story, set in a rich historical and cultural context, of one former African slave woman. Abina truly gives voice to someone who would normally be forgotten in our traditional history.
The book presents a criminal court case that took place in the British Cape Coast colony in 1876. The British government under Queen Victoria (Regina) put Quamina Eddoo on trial for suspected use of slavery. The complainant who had brought the charges was named Abina Mansah.
Abina Mansah was a young woman in late 19th century Cape Coast Colony (present-day Ghana) who escaped from the household of Quamina Eddoo and then took him to court, accusing him of holding her as a slave. The background to this woman’s remarkable story, the historical context, writings from esteemed historians, and the original trial transcript can all be found in Professor Trevor Getz’ book Abina and the Important Men. Equally important, Professor Getz and his illustrator, Liz Clarke, tell Abina’s story through a visually rich and intellectually compelling graphic history. I recommend the second edition, which includes new details that he extracted from recently found primary sources as well as the thoughtful discussions by other historians.
Professor Getz has also recently collaborated with many talented staff and students at San Francisco State University to create a fascinating app that brings Abina alive through stunning visual graphics and beautiful audio. I highly recommend the app (downloadable as “Abina” from itunes and android app stores) as an additional resource. The app includes lesson guides and various inquiry pathways for students to take, which I helped Professor Getz put together.
As a teacher, it is essential that you use either the book or the app (or hopefully both) to provide context about the trial for the students and to bring them emotionally and intellectually into the story. You have two options: either you first have students read chapter 1 (or watch episode 1) and then you conduct the trial or you have them read/watch the entire story and then put on the mock trial. Either choice has its merits.
In other to get the most out of your trial, it is helpful to look over the mock trial strategies and scaffolding that I describe in Judging for Themselves.
The mock trial can be found here.
