Black History Month - February Learn & Explore Lesson
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About this Lesson
Celebrate Black History Month and learn about Moko Jumbie, a spiritual guardian and stilt walking tradition that originated in West Africa and is a towering emblem of resistance.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 11:00 AM
Grade 6-8
If you have been lucky enough to attend the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly known as Caribana), you may have spotted fascinating dancers on towering stilts. Learn more about the masquerade figure known as Moko Jumbie, a guardian spirit stilt walker.
Moko Jumbie has roots in resistance to colonial oppression and Euro-centric religiosity, as well as in celebrations of emancipation and freedom.
Artist, designer, and international performer, Pixel Heller, takes us on an artistic journey, with her work exploring Afro-Caribbean identity through performance, visual art, and movement. Pixel explores themes of Black identity, carnival masquerade, cultural fluidity, and the preservation of cultures. Pixel will introduce students to the culture of the Moko Jumbie, and share images of how she incorporates Moko Jumbie into her own artistic style. Afterwards, students will have the opportunity to design their own costumes using a Moko Jumbie template.
Use the Learn & Explore Gallery Trail to help your students connect this lesson to their exploration of the galleries at ROM.
| Delivery Language | This lesson is offered in English Only |
| Activities |
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| Format | Theatre Lesson |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Pricing | $16/person |
| Minimum Group | 15 |
| Maximum Group | 35 |
Learning Goals
Explain how dancing can help celebrate cultures.
Predict how this performance might be different if the artist had not used an outfit or if the artist had not used stilts.
Recognize why it’s important to honour one’s own unique heritage.
Create a personal version of this dance.
Preparation
Students will need to bring the following in order to participate in the writing activity:
- Pencil
- Clipboard with paper and/or notebook.
Gallery Trail
Help your students connect this lesson to their exploration of the galleries at ROM.
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Curriculum Connections
Arts
- Dance - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Drama - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Music - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Visual Arts - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
Social Studies
- People and Environments: Canada's Interactions with the Global Community
Arts
- Dance - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Drama - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Music - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Visual Arts - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
History
- New France and British North America, 1713-1800 – Understanding Historical Context: Events and Their Consequences
- Canada, 1800-1850: Conflict and Challenges – Understanding Historical Context: Events and Their Consequences
Arts
- Dance - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Drama - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Music - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
- Visual Arts - Reflecting, Responding, and Analysing; Exploring Forms and Cultural Contexts
History
- Creating Canada, 1850–1890 – Understanding Historical Context: Events and Their Consequences
- Canada, 1890-1914: A Changing Society – Understanding Historical Context: Events and Their Consequences
Highlights
