Linguistic Groups in Kenya

10 Grade 10 History and Citizenship questions on Linguistic Groups in Kenya, with worked marking schemes. 10 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   3 marks

   Explain three reasons why historians classify Kenyan communities according to the language they speak rather than the way they look.

   (3 marks)

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2. Question 2

   4 marks

   Explain four factors that led Nilotic communities to migrate into present-day Kenya.

   (4 marks)

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3. Question 3

   3 marks

   Outline three ways in which Bantu communities changed the economy of the areas where they settled.

   (3 marks)

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4. Question 4

   4 marks

   Account for the settlement of Cushitic communities in the northern parts of Kenya.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Award 1 mark for each valid reason, maximum 4: (i) They migrated southwards from the direction of the Ethiopian highlands, so the northern region was the first area they reached. (ii) The dry and semi-arid plains suited their pastoral way of life, which depended on moving herds of camels, cattle, sheep and goats. (iii) The open grassland and scrub allowed free movement of herds over long distances. (iv) Rivers such as the Tana and Ewaso Ng'iro, together with wells and seasonal pans, provided water for people and livestock. (v) The drier north is largely free of tsetse fly, unlike the wetter regions, so livestock survived better. (vi) The wetter highlands to the south were already occupied by farming communities, which limited further southward settlement.

5. Question 5

   1 mark

   Which one of the following Kenyan communities belongs to the Eastern Cushites?

   A. Samburu

   B. Iteso

   C. Borana

   D. Ameru

   (1 mark)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   The Nilotes of Kenya are grouped into River-Lake, Plain and Highland Nilotes. Which one of the following communities belongs to the Highland Nilotes?

   A. Luo

   B. Kipsigis

   C. Maasai

   D. Digo

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   Which one of the following was a major reason for the movement of Bantu communities into present-day Kenya?

   A. The desire to sell ivory to European traders at the coast

   B. The wish to escape from colonial rule in central Africa

   C. The search for fertile land for cultivation as their population increased

   D. The search for gold deposits in the Rift Valley

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Which one of the following Kenyan communities belongs to the Bantu linguistic group?

   A. Abagusii

   B. Maasai

   C. Rendille

   D. Turkana

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   1 mark

   In the pre-colonial period, some Agikuyu families took up age-set organisation from their Maasai neighbours, while some Maasai families began growing crops. This best illustrates:

   A. a natural increase in the population of both communities

   B. the complete disappearance of one community into another

   C. cultural exchange arising from close interaction between communities

   D. the movement of a community far away from its neighbours

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    5 marks

    Describe five results of the interaction between Bantu and Nilotic communities in pre-colonial Kenya.

    (5 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Award 1 mark for each described result, maximum 5: (i) Intermarriage took place, producing families of mixed descent and closer ties between the communities. (ii) Trade developed, with cultivators exchanging grains, bananas and iron tools for livestock, hides and milk. (iii) Cultural practices were borrowed, such as age-set organisation and initiation ceremonies. (iv) Words were borrowed between the languages, enriching the vocabulary of both. (v) Conflicts arose over grazing land, water and cattle raids. (vi) Some communities changed their economy, with cultivators taking up livestock keeping and some pastoralists beginning to grow crops. (vii) Some smaller groups were absorbed into their larger neighbours and adopted their language. (viii) New settlement patterns emerged as groups moved to avoid or to join their neighbours.

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