Summary

• Description:

  The PDF document comprises Form 1 History Notes on The Social, Economic, and Political Organization of Kenyan Societies in the 19th Century.

  The document provides a structured overview of the traditional ways of life for Kenya's main linguistic groups before the colonial period, with specific case studies for major communities. The topics covered are:

  • THE BANTU
    • A general summary of the social, political, and economic organization common to most Bantu communities.
    • The Agikuyu: Their organization including the belief in Ngai, the role of the family (mbari) and Council of Elders (Kiama), and their mixed farming economy.
    • The Ameru: Details on their political structure centered on the supreme council of elders (Njuri Ncheke), clan-based social rules, and mixed economy.
    • The Akamba: Their decentralized political system based on age-grades, their belief in Mulungu, and their famous economic activities like long-distance trade and beekeeping.
    • The Mijikenda: Focus on their unique social and political life within fortified villages (kaya), the role of the Council of Elders (Kambi), and their coastal economy based on farming and trade.
  • THE NILOTES
    • The Luo: Their social life centered on the belief in Nyasaye and initiation by removal of six lower teeth, their political system led by a chief (Ruoth), and an economy based on fishing and agriculture.
    • The Nandi: An examination of their social structure with the Orkoiyot as a unifying leader, a political system based on the Council of Elders (Kokwet), and a pastoral and agricultural economy.
    • The Maasai: A look at the two main groups (Purko and Kwavi), the central role of the age-set system (morans), their belief in Enkai, the leadership of the Oloibon, and their largely pastoral economy.
  • THE CUSHITES
    • The Somali: Their clan-based political and social systems, their belief in Waaq, and their nomadic pastoralist economy.
    • The Borana: Details on their Gada age-set system which organized community life, the role of their religious leaders (Qaallu), and their pastoral and trade-based economy.

  These notes are exceptionally well-organized, offering a clear and comparative look at the diverse societies of 19th-century Kenya. The breakdown by linguistic group and then by individual community makes it easy to understand both the shared and unique aspects of their organization. The notes are neat, printable, and serve as an outstanding resource for KCSE revision for students and for lesson preparation by teachers.

• File Size:

  227.21 KB
• Length:

  12 pages
• Category:

  Lesson Notes
• Level:

  Form 1
• Subject:

  HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT
• Posted By:

  Caleb_Peter

Enter your details below to initiate a payment using MPESA.