← History and Citizenship / 1 Themes in Kenyan History and Citizenship
1.1 Linguistic groups in Kenya
History and Citizenship · Grade 10 · 10 lessons in the design
What this covers
- The linguistic groups in Kenya: Bantu, Nilotes and Cushites
- Causes of migration, settlement and expansion
- Migration routes and areas of settlement
- Effects of the migrations
- Diversity and social cohesion
What you will be able to do
- explore the linguistic groups in Kenya
- discuss the causes and effects of migration, settlement and expansion of the linguistic groups
- trace the migration routes and settlement areas of the linguistic groups in Kenya
- apply the knowledge of diverse communities of Kenya to promote social cohesion
- appreciate the diversity of communities in Kenya
Key questions
“How can you promote harmonious living among the diverse communities of Kenya?”
“Why did whole communities pick up and move?”
Lessons
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The linguistic groups and why they moved
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizWho Kenya's three language families are, where they came from, and what set them in motion.
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Routes, settlement and the effects of migration
40 min · 2 practice tasks · quizWhere each group entered and settled, what followed from their meeting, and what it means for Kenya today.
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Western Bantu: Luhya, Kisii and Kuria
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizHow the western farming communities entered from Uganda and Mount Elgon, split, and settled Kakamega, Kisii and the Kuria borderlands.
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Highland Bantu around Mount Kenya and Ukambani
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizKikuyu, Embu, Mbeere, Meru and Kamba: related cultivators on volcanic soils, and the Kamba as the drier-land traders towards the coast.
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Coastal Bantu: Mijikenda, Taita, Pokomo and Swahili
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizThe Shungwaya tradition, the nine kayas, the Taita Hills, the Tana Pokomo, and Swahili towns as a meeting place of Bantu and the Indian Ocean.
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River-Lake Nilotes: the Luo in Nyanza
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizFrom Bahr el Ghazal through Pubungu to Lake Victoria: three Luo waves, a mixed lake economy, and constant neighbours.
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Plain Nilotes: Maasai, Turkana, Samburu and Teso
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizMaa speakers and the Ateker cluster on Kenya's grasslands and dry plains: cattle, camels, age-sets, and mixing at the edges.
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Highland Nilotes: the Kalenjin peoples
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizNandi, Kipsigis, Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Pokot, Sabaot and Terik on the western highlands and Rift escarpment - herding plus the hoe.
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Cushites in Kenya: the dry north and an earlier southern layer
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizSomali, Borana, Rendille, Gabbra, Orma and related Eastern Cushites, plus Southern Cushites who arrived earlier and were largely absorbed.
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Hunter-gatherers, mixing and promoting cohesion
40 min · 1 practice tasks · quizEarlier inhabitants still present, the evidence of mixing, and practical ways a Grade 10 class promotes harmonious living from this history.