An excellent History Society talk
Thu, Nov 24th, 2022
Pupils in the History Society enjoyed an excellent online talk from Dr Beth Rebisz from the University of Bristol.
Dr Rebisz specialises in the history of colonialism in Africa with a focus on how women, men and children fought against European powers.
The talk, titled “Rule Britannia on Trial”, explored the ‘Scramble for Africa’ among European powers; the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya in the 1950s; and the use of oral history in accessing suppressed and underrepresented histories.
Dr Rebisz shared her experience interviewing James Njuguna Mwaura and Field Marshal Muthoni, who explained the reality of British rule in what were essentially concentration camps.
Year 12 student Matthew reflected: “The talk was fantastic. It is so important that we can understand the mistakes of the past so that we can seek to make them right in the future. The work that is undertaken either by individuals or academics to expose the errors of the past is a key part in that understanding.”
The History Society is part of the co-curricular programme at Worth. Pupils from Years 7-13 meet weekly to discuss topical historical events from the Rosetta Stone to the Iranian Revolution.
