The People of Kenya up to the 19th Century - History Form 1 Topical Revision Questions and Answers

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Socio-Economic and Political Organization of Kenyan Communities in the 19th Century - History Form 1 Topical Revision Questions and Answers

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QUESTIONS

Identify two sources of information which historians use to write the history of Kenya.
Name the remaining southern Cushitic speaker in Kenya. (1 mark)
Name two communities in Kenya that belong to the Coastal Bantus. (2 marks)
State two ways in which the Agikuyu and Maasai interacted during the pre-colonial period. (2 marks)
1. Why did the Bantu migrate from the coastal settlement at Shungwaya in the 16th Century? (5 marks)
2. Describe the political organisation of the Abaluhyia during the pre- colonial period. (10m)
Give two demerits of using archaeology as a source of information on history and Government. (2mks)
Name one group that belong to the Southern Cushites (1mk)
Two functions of the Orkoiyot among the Nandi (2mks)
State the main political feature that was common among all Bantu speakers in Kenya 1mk
1. Give five results of the migration and settlement of the Agikuyu in Kenya during the pre – colonial period (5mks)
2. Describe the social organization of the Nandi during the pre-colonial period (10mks)
Give Two unwritten sources of Kenya History (2 Marks)
State One fuction of the age set system among the Abagusii (1m)
1. Functions of Council of elders among the Maasai in the pre-colonial period (3 Marks)
2. Political organization of the Luo during the pre- colonial period (12 Marks)
Give one disadvantage of oral traditions as a source of information on History and Government of Kenya
State two factors which were considered while choosing the chairman of the council of elders among the Nandi (2mks)
Give two roles of medicine men among the Akamba during the pre- colonial period in Kenya (2mks)
1. State five results of the migration of the Maasai into Kenya during the pre-colonial Period (5mks)
2. Describe the political organization of the Somali in Kenya during the pre-colonial period (10mks)
Define the term pre – history ( 1 mk)
Identify the main reason why the Mijikenda live in Kayas. (1 mk)
1. State five economic reasons why the cushites migrated from their original homeland into Kenya. ( 5 mks)
2. What were the results of the migration of the cushites into Kenya during itspre – colonial period. ( 10 mks)
Identify two forms of Early manuscripts used as sources of information on history and government (2mks)
Identify the first missionary station in Kenya established by the church missionary society (1mk)
State two ways in which the Akamba and the Maasai interacted during pre – colonial period. (2mks)
Give the main reason why the Abagusii migrated from their settlement at Ramogi Hills in the sixteenth century (1mk)
What was the main significance of initiation ceremony carried out in traditional Kenya Societies?\
1. Give three economic activities of the Cushites during the pre – colonial period in Kenya. (3mks)
2. Describe the political organization of the Agikuyu during the pre – colonial period.(12mks)
Identify two ways used by archaeologists in Kenya to locate an archaeological site (2mks)
Name two sub-tribes of the Mijikenga (2mks)
Name the basic political unit of the Bantu in the pre-colonial period (1mk)
State two religious functions of the orkoiyot among the Nandi during the pre- colonial period (2mks)
Identify the Cushitic groups who migrated into Kenya? 2mks
Identify one community in Kenya that is considered hybrids? 2mks
1. State Three reasons why the plain Nilotes migrated from their cradle land to Kenya during the pre-colonial period 2mks
2. Describe Six result interaction between the Luos and Luhya’s in the pre-colonial period

MARKING SCHEME

Identify two sources of information which historians use to write the history of Kenya. (2 marks)
1. Written sources(accept examples of written sources)
2. Archaeology/palaeontology
3. Genetics/Botany/Zoology/Biology
4. Linguistics
5. Oral traditions
6. Anthropology
7. Geology
8. Rock painting/sculpture/engravings
  Any 2 x 1 = 2 marks
Name the remaining southern cushitic speaker in Kenya. (1 mark)
- Dahallo/sanye 1 X 1 = 1 mark
Name two communities in Kenya that belong to the Coastal Bantus. (2 marks)
1. Mijikenda
2. Pokomo
3. Waswahili
4. Taita
  (Any example of Mijikenda group award 1 mk) any 2 x 1 = 2 marks
State two ways in which the Agikuyu and Maasai interacted during the pre-colonial period. (2 marks)
1. Through trade
2. Through intermarriages
3. Warfare
4. Raids
1. Why did the Bantu migrate from the coastal settlement at Shungwaya in the 16th Century?.
  1. Invasion of the settlement by the incoming cushites/oromo invasion.
  2. Internal conflicts
  3. Population increase
  4. Outbreak of diseases/epidemics/natural calamities
  5. Search for land for settlement
  6. Search for pasture and water for their animals
    Any 5 x 1 = 5 marks
2. Describe the political organisation of the Abaluhyia during the pre- colonial period.
  1. Several families with common ancestral formed the clan
  2. A clan occupied a village (Olukongo) and its neighbourhood each clan was under a village elder.
  3. They had a council of elders known as ‘Abanego’ which settled disputes, distributed land and was the final court of appeal.
  4. The age group and age-set were known by different names i.e Kikhula, Olubaka or Oruse which became warriors to defend their land.
  5. Religious leaders also played political roles & also served in the council of elders.
  6. By the end of the 19th century other Abaluhia sub-groups began having vassal chiefs (Abami) who claimed their authority from the Nabongo of the wanga.
    Any 5 x 2 = 10 marks
Give two demerits of using archaeology as a source of information on history and Government.
- The method of dating events/artifacts is not always accurate
- Excavation work is cumbersome/involving
- Some fossils/artifact are fragile/break easily hence information may be distorted
- Its expensive to buy equipments, like labour to excavate and analyse artifacts
- Its time consuming during excavation
- Difficult to locate archaeological sites
- Impossible to attach particular culture to a certain group of people
  Any 2 x 1 = 2mks
Name one group that belong to the Southern Cushites
- Boni, Dahallo, Sanye 1 x 1 = 1mk
Two functions of the Orkoiyot among the Nandi
- He foretold future events/seer
- He presided over religious functions/Blessed the warriors
- He advised the council of elders
- He was a medicineman
- He was a rainmaker
State the main political feature that was common among all Bantu speakers in Kenya
- Ruled by council of Elders 1 x 1 = 1mk
1. Give five results of the migration and settlement of the Agikuyu in Kenya during the pre – colonial period
  - It led to intermarriage with their neighbours e.g. Akamba and Maasai
  - It led to expansion of trade
  - It led to displacement of some communities e.g. Okiek
  - It led to conflicts over resources i.e. land and cattle
  - It led to assimilation of some communities they encountered e.g. the Athi and Gumba
  - It led to enrichment of languages
  - It led to cultural interaction i.e. borrowing of dressing, circumcision and other cultural practical
    Any 5 x 1 = 5mks
2. Describe the social organization of the Nandi during the pre-colonial period
  - The basic social unit was the family
  - Family members of the same paternal lineage formed a clan
  - Members of the same clan were prohibited from marrying because they were related by blood
  - They practiced circumcision for both boys and girls when they reached puberty
  - During the initiation boys and girls were given informed education by elders about the communities values and traditions.
  - After initiations the boys were admitted into one of the cyclical age-set e.t.c
  - They held various ceremonies to mark different social events i.e. birth, marriage e.t.c.
  - The Nandi worshiped a supreme God (Asis)
  - They believed in ancestral spirits whom they honoured through libations
  - They offered sacrifices to God in times of blessing or appease him in times of misfortunes
  - The Nandi had important religious leaders such as diviners, rainmakers e.t.c
  - They had a famous religious leader known Orkoiyot.
    Any 5 x 2 = 10mks
Two unwritten sources of Kenya History
- Archaeology / palaeontology
- Oral traditions
- Linguistics
- Anthropology
- Genetics
- Electronics sources
  1 x 2 = 2 Marks
One fuction of the age set system among the Abagusii
- Acted as a military wing for defending the community 1 x 1 = 1
1. Functions of Council of elders among the Maasai in the pre-colonial period (3 Marks)
  1. Settles disputes
  2. Maintained law and order
  3. Declaring war and raids
  4. Final court of appeal
  5. Advising warriors/ blessing warriors 1 x 3 = 3 Marks
2. Political organization of the Luo during the pre- colonial period (12 Marks)
  - Lowest political unit was the family headed by Jaduong
  - There was the lineage councils (buch dhot) whose duty was to settle domestic disputes
  - Several families formed the clan with a council of elders called ‘Doho’ which was responsible for settling inter-family disputes.
  - A group of clans formed the Oganda which was under a higher council called ‘bunch-piny‘
  - Bunch – Piny had the following functions/ Responsible in:
    - Settling major inter- clan conflicts
    - Declining criminals e.g. murderers
  - They had warriors who defended the community and raided neighbours 2 x 6 = 12 Marks
Give one disadvantage of oral traditions as a source of information on History and Government of Kenya (1mk)
- The stories may be exaggerated. It is hard to tell what is real and what is imagined
- Some information may be forgotten or omitted since human memory is not precise
- The stories may be changed for various reasons.
- It does not provide dates or sequence of events
- Its expensive as one has to pay accommodation, lunch transport and of informant.
- It is time consuming, interviewing people
State two factors which were considered while choosing the chairman of the council of elders among the Nandi (2mks)
- His generosity / His Wealth
- His wise judgment / wisdom
- His oratory skills 2 x 1 = 2mks
Give two roles of medicine men among the Akamba during the pre- colonial period in Kenya (2mks)
- Treatment of various ailments
- Offerings sacrifices
- Praying to God and ancestral spirits. 2 x 1 = 2mks
1. State five results of the migration of the Maasai into Kenya during the (5mks)
  - pre-colonial
  - Period
  - Intermarriages occurred / took place between the Maasai and neighbouring communities.
  - Expansion of economic activities of trade, pastoralism
  - There was cultural interraction’
  - There was increased conflict among communities
  - Leadership developed where they settled e.g Laibon
  - Population increased. 5 x 1 = 5mks
2. Describe the political organization of the Somali in Kenya during the pre-colonial period (10mks)
  - The basic political unit was the clan
  - The clan was headed by council of elders
  - The council of elders maintained law and order and settled disputes
  - They practiced the age – set system
  - They existed warriors whose main duty was to protect the community from external attack
  - They also had sheiks / sultans as leaders expecially after adopting Islam. 5 x 2 = 10mks
Define the term pre – history ( 1 mk)
- The time before use of written records in history.
Identify the main reason why the Mijikenda live in Kayas. (1 mk)
- To protect themselves against attacks from hostile neighbours
1. State five economic reasons why the cushites migrated from their original homeland into Kenya. ( 5 mks)
  1. Search for pasture / drought
  2. Outbreak of animals and Human diseases.
  3. Search for land for cultivation
  4. Internal conflicts
  5. Invasion by outsiders
  6. Over population Any 5 x 1 = 5 mks
2. What were the results of the migration of the cushites into Kenya during itspre – colonial period. ( 10 mks)
  1. Cushites displaced some communities they came into contact with e.g cushites forced the eastern Bantus to evaluate shungwaya.
  2. The cushites traded with Bantus. This promoted economic activities in the country.
  3. The cushites interacted with the Kenyan communities and this led to inter marriage between them.\
  4. The cushites introduced new breeds of animals which are now widespread in Kenya e.g Borana cattle.
  5. The cushites fought wars with some of the Bantus groups and this created instabilities and loss of life.
  6. The cushites introduced the age – set system among the nilotic and Bantu communities.
  7. The cushites practiced of circumcision among some Kenyan communities.
  8. There was the emergence of new communities e.g Digit
    ( Any 5 well explained x 2 = ( 10 mks).
Identify two forms of Early manuscripts used as sources of information on history and government
- Stone tablets
- Scrolls 2x1= 2mks
Identify the first missionary station in Kenya established by the church missionary society
- Rabai (1mk)
State two ways in which the Akamba and the Maasai interacted during pre – colonial period.
1. Through trade
2. Intermarriage
3. Through raids for livestock
4. Sports / Cultural activities
5. They fought wars with each other (1 x 2 = 2mks)
Give the main reason why the Abagusii migrated from their settlement at Ramogi Hills in the sixteenth century (1mk)
- Attack from the Luo’s (1 x 1 = 1mk)
What was the main significance of initiation ceremony carried out in traditional Kenya Societies?
- Moving from childhood to adult hood (1 x 1 = 1mk)
1. Give three economic activities of the Cushites during the pre – colonial period in Kenya. (3mks)
  1. Pastoralists
  2. Hunted and gathered
  3. Did iron smelting and made tools e.g. swords
  4. Practiced local industry e.g leather bags, open shoes and clothing
  5. Traded with their neighbours such as the Samburu,Pokomo, Mijikenda.
  6. Some cushites who lived river valleys practiced subsistence farming they grew vegetables, dates and bananas. 3x1=3mks
2. Describe the political organization of the Agikuyu during the pre – colonial period.(12mks)
  1. The smallest social unit was the family
  2. Several related families formed a clan(Mbari) which lived in a defined area.
  3. They initiated boys and girls.
  4. Member of an age set worked together and considered each other as brothers and sisters
  5. Marriage was highly regarded as one could raise a family and own property
  6. They believed in existence of God- Ngai.
  7. They offered sacrifices to God.
  8. They believed in ancestral spirits
  9. Had sacred/Holy places of worship such as groves and fig trees.
  10. Had traditional specialists e.g. prophets medicine, medicinemen,rainmaker who were consulted in time of need. 6x2 = 12mks
Identify two ways used by archaeologists in Kenya to locate an archaeological site (2mks)
1. Looking for areas where faulting or erosion has occurred exposing some remains
2. Finding a small part of an early settlement on the surface
3. Looking for sites mentioned in historical documents or oral narratives
4. Archaeologists may use their long experience and skills to identify the site
5. During cultivation and building constructions, workers may accidentally expose ancient objects Any 2x1 = 2marks
Name two sub-tribes of the Mijikenga (2mks)
1. Jibana
2. Digo
3. Rabai
4. Chonyi
5. Duruma
6. Kauma
7. Giriama
8. Ribe
9. Kambe Any 2x1 = 2marks
Name the basic political unit of the Bantu in the pre-colonial period (1mk)
- The clan 1x1 = 1mark
State two religious functions of the orkoiyot among the Nandi during the pre- colonial period (2mks)
1. He presided over religious ceremonies / acted as priest
2. Blessed warriors before they went to war
3. He foretold the future / acted as a prophet
4. He was a rain maker
5. He was a medicine man Any 2x1 = 2marks
Identify the Cushitic groups who migrated into Kenya?
1. Rendile
2. Burji
3. Borana
4. Oromo
5. Gabra
6. somali Any 2 x1=2mks
Identify one community in Kenya that is considered hybrids?
1. Swahili
2. Abasuba Any 2x1=2mks
1. Three reasons why the plain Nilotes migrated from their cradle land to Kenya during the pre-colonial period
  1. Population pressure in their land
  2. Internal feuds amongst them
  3. External attack from their neighboring communities.
  4. Outbreak of epidemic diseases.
  5. Outbreak of drought and famine
  6. Search for water and pasture for their animals
  7. Spirit of adventure Any two points 2x1=2mks
2. Six result interaction between the Luos and Luhya’s in the pre-colonial period
  1. Intermarriage took places as either community marries from the other
  2. Outbreak of war as they fought over resources
  3. Increase in population as the communities settled in the western region
  4. Increase trading activities as different goods were introduced into the market
  5. Fresh migration or displacement took place as some communities sought spacious grounds
  6. Cultural exchanges some names became common amongst the communities
  7. Assimilation of some groups e.g. Samia, Marama emerged
  8. Increased social activities such as games took place Any 6points 2x6=12mks