Akata Witch

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is “albinism”? What are the symptoms and causes of this condition?

Teaching Suggestion: Even students who know what albinism is may be confused by the term, as many may have only heard the term “albino.” You might explain that some people in the albinism community find the term “albino” offensive and that, in a classroom, it is more polite to use the terms “albinism” and “person with albinism.” The resources below will be helpful in filling in any gaps in students’ knowledge about this condition.

• This overview of symptoms and causes of albinism comes from the Mayo Clinic.
• This 9-minute video by a woman with albinism discusses both the science of this condition and what it is like to live with albinism.

2. Where is Nigeria? What traits or characteristics are associated with the cultures of the people that make up its population?

Teaching Suggestion: Depending on your classroom context, some students may not know much at all about Nigeria. This question is intended to activate any prior knowledge students may have about Western Africa and Nigeria before they learn more specific information about the Igbo, the people that Sunny is descended from.