History Paper 2 Topical Questions On Social, Economic & Political Organization Of African Societies

Give two functions of Buganda traditional parliament.. (2 marks) QUES 7,DIST 1
Give THREE economic factors which contributed to the growth of Asante kingdom in the Pre-colonial period. (3 marks) QUES 19,DIST 1
Differentiate between the golden and black stool in the Asante empire (2mks)QUES 9,DIST 2

4. a) Explain the factors for the rise and growth of the Buganda kingdom (5mrks)

Describe the social organization of the Shona in the pre colonial period (10mrks) QUES 22,DIST 2
State two functions of the Lukiko in Buganda during the pre- colonial period 2 (Mrks) QUES 8,DIST 4
State two ways in which centralization of authority contributed to the success of Buganda

Kingdom (2mks) QUES 8,DIST 5

State two functions of the Lukiko in the Buganda kingdom in the 19th century. (2 mks) QUES 8,DIST 6
a) Identify three social features of the Asante empire in the 19^th Century (3mks)

b) Describe the political organization of the Shona Kingdom in the 19th century. (12mks)

QUES 21,DIST 6

Describe the political organization of the Shona kingdom in the 19^th C. (12mks) QUES 19b,DIST 7

What was the main role of the golden stool among the Asante in pre-colonial period. (1mk) QUES 7,DIST 8
Give the main reason why the golden stool was important to the Asante Empire (1mk) QUES 12,DIST 9
a) Describe the social organization of the Shona during the pre – colonial period (5mks)

b) Describe the political organization of Mwene Mutapa Kingdom (Shona Kingdom)

during the pre- colonial period (10mks) QUES 22,DIST 9

Give two ways through which trade contributed to the rise of Asante Kingdom during the 19^th century (2mks) QUES 10,DIST 10
a) Give three reasons why the Odwira festival in the ancient kingdom of Asante was important (3mks)

b) Describe the social organization of Asante kingdom in the 19^th century (12mks) QUES 20,DIST 10

. What is the name given to the traditional religion of the Baganda in the pre-colonial period? (1mk) QUES 9,DIST 11
a) Identify five political features of the Asante empire in the 19th century (5mks)

b) What factors led to the decline of the Asante empire in the 19^th century? (10mks) QUES 19,DIST 11

State two roles of the Lukiiko in Buganda. (2mks) QUES 8,DIST 12
State economic activities of the Baganda during the pre-colonial period. (2mks). QUES 7,DIST 13
Give two symbols of National unity in the Shona kingdom. (2mks). QUES 8,DIST 13
Give one role of omanilenes amongst the Asante in the 19^th century. (1mk) QUES 6,DIST 14
Apart from the Katikiro, mention two other chief officials who assisted the Kabaka in the administration of Buganda. (2mks) QUES 8,DIST 15

22.(a) State five factors that led to the decline of the asante kingdom (5 mks)

(b) How was the Asante Empire organized politically in the 19^th century? (10 mks)

QUES 20,DIST 15

23. Give two functions of the Kabaka of Buganda. (2mks) QUES 11,DIST 16

24. (a) Give three functions of the buganda traditional parliament. (3mks)

(b) Explain the political organization of the mwene mutapa kingdom during the pre-colonial period. (12mks) QUES 21,DIST 16

25. a) Account for the rise of Mwene Mutapa Kingdom (5mks)

b) Describe the political organization of metropolitan Asante (10mks) QUES 20,DIST 17

26. What was the importance of Odwira festival among the Asante? (1mk) QUES 8,DIST 18

27. List two symbols of unity in Shona kingdom in the 19^th Century. (2mks) QUES 11,DIST 18

28. What was the most important symbol of unity among the Asante? (1 mark)QUES 10,DIST 19

29. a) Identify three ways in which trade contributed to the growth of Kingdoms in Africa

in the 19^th Century. (3 marks)

b) Explain six factors that led to the rise and growth of the Buganda Kingdom. (12 marks) QUES 18,DIST 19

30 Why was the Odwira festival vital in the Asante Kingdom (2 mks) QUES 10,DIST 20

ANSWERS TO SOCIAL,ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN SOCIETIES

1. Give two functions of the Buganda traditional parliament

Made laws
- Advised the Kabaka
- Directed collection of taxes
- Planned expenditure
- Represented peoples concerns &
- Settled disputes in their areas.
- Acted as the final courts to try cases under them

Any 2 x 1 = 2 marks QUES 7,DIST 1

2. a) Give three economic factors which contributed to the growth of Ashante in the precolonial period.

Trading activities i.e. trade in gold
- Agricultural activities e.g. cultivation of kola nuts
- Mining of gold.
- Hunting i.e obtained ivory from forest kingdoms.
- Taxes collected from merchants
- Revenue collected from the provincial states (Vassal states)

Any 3 x 1 = 3 marks

b) Describe the political organisation of the Shona in the 19^th Century.

The kingdom was ruled by a king/emperor who was both head of state and government.
Kingship was hereditary
King was the chief priest/semi divine.
King was commander in chief of the army
The king was assisted in administration by the queen mother, head drummer, kings sisters, kings principal wives, & military commander, chief cook, & gate keeper.
The empire was divided into provincials led by lesser kings who were directly answerable to the emperor.
The kingdom had a standing army for defence & expansion.
Religion created political unity in the kingdom.
Priests acted as a link between people & the emperor.
Conquered/vassal states wee ruled by lesser chiefs who paid tribute to the king.
The emperor controlled trading activities whose revenue was used to sustain the empire and the army.

Any 6 x 2 = 12 marks QUES 19,DIST 1

3. Differentiate between the golden and black stool in the Asante empire

the golden stool was the symbol of unity for the entire empire while the black stools were the symbols within the states of the empire. I point x2 = 2mks QUES 9,DIST 2

4. a) It emerged after the disintegration of the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom

Its smallness in size helped it to hold together
Had able Kabakas
Had a good geographical location with adequate rain, fertile soils which favoured agriculture
Had a centralized system of government under Kabaka
Acquired guns through trading with waswahili and Arabs
Had a standing army
They derived wealth from Buddu, Kyagwe and Busoga which were rich in ivory, iron ore and slaves
Land traditions boosted growth where labour was shared. Women took part in farming while men participate in war. Any 5×1 = 5mks

b) were influenced by relgion

Mwari was the supreme being – his worship was led by priest
Priest came from Rozwi clans
Were divided into clans
Had a national spirit called chamiruka who setted disputes
Had kingship system which was patrilineal
Practiced polygamy
Lived in stone building
Had informed education. Any 5×2 = 10mks QUES 22,DIST 2

5. Two functions of the Lukiko in Buganda

Making laws
- Representing people
- Advised the Kabaka
- Regulated collection of taxes
- Controlled activities of the government 2 x 1 = 2 Marks QUES 8,DIST 4

6. – It enhanced effective control of the Kingdom

– It promoted control of the other traditional leaders eg clan heads

– It enhanced loyalty to one single leader

– It led to the emergence of able Kabakas who propelled the Kingdom from strength to strength

Any 2 points, 2 x 1 =2mks),2 x 1 = 2mks))QUES 8,DIST 5

7. State two functions of the Lukiko n the Buganda kingdom in the 19th century. (2 mks)

– Advised the Kabaka.

– Made law.

– Helped the Kabaka to rule. (2 x 1 = 2mks) QUES 8,DIST 6

8. a) Identify three social features of the Asante empire in the 19thi Century. (3mks)

– Worshiped many gods/polytheism.

– King was believed to be semi-divine.

– Golden stool was a sign of unity/social bond.

– Held Odwira festival annually.

– Practiced polygamy.

– Practiced exagamous marriage.

– Inheritance was

– Organized into clans.

– Spoke the Akhan or Tui language. (3 x 1 = 3 mks)

b) Describe the political organization of the Shona Kingdom in the 19th century.

(12mks)

– The Emperor/King was the head of the government and the head of the state.

– Office of the Emperor was hereditary.

– The Emperor was assisted by the Queen mother, the Head drummer, emperor’s sister, his Principle wives and the military commander.

– The empire was divided into provinces under the rule of lesser Kings/Chiefs.

– The empire had a standing army for defence and expansion.

– Priests acted as a link between the people and the emperor.

– The king was a military leader/Commander in Chief of the army.

– The King was considered a semi-divine ruler.

– Administration of the empire was financed by trade. (6 x 2 = 12 mks) QUES 21,DIST 6

9. Describe the political organization of the Shona kingdom in the 19^th C. (12 mks)

– Shona Kingdom was ruled by an emperor was hereditary and served as

the head of states.

– The emperor was assisted to rule by many officials including the

queen mother, emperors sister, nine principals wives, chief drummer etc.

– The king had had an advisory council made up of he kings of Guruswa mbire utere, Barue and Manyika.

– Religion played an important role as it was a unifying factor.

– The king Mwene mutapa was the chief religious authority in the land clan spirits helped to settle national issues.

– The royal fire was a symbol of national unity.It never went till the end of the king’s reign.

– The emperor was divided into provinces which were ruled by lesser chiefs.

– The kingdom has a standing army which was used for defenses and expansion. The army was sustained by the profit from trade. ( Any 6 x 2 – 12 mks) QUES 19b,DIST 7

10. Main role of the golden stool among the Asante

-Symbol of unity 1×1=1mk QUES 7,DIST 8

11. a) Describe the social organization of the Shona during the pre – colonial period (5mks)

i) The Shona believed in a God called Mwari / Mulimo.

ii) They believed in existence of ancestral spirits whom they consulted.

iii) They communicated with spirits through mediums / oracles

iv) The priests presided over religious functions such as offering sacrifices to God.

v) The Shona elders were highly respected

vi) The Shona were organized in clans each with a function to perform e.g priest came from the Rowzi.

vii) The Shona lived in circular stone houses.

viii) It was a polygamous society, practicing exogamy

ix) There names were derived from those of animals

x) Each clan had a totem – Animal

xi) It was a patrilenial society.

b) Describe the political organization of Mwene Mutapa Kingdom (Shona Kingdom)

during the pre- colonial period. (10mks)

i) The empire was ruled by an emperor who was both head of state and government

ii) The office of the emperor was hereditary

iii) The empire was divided into provinces ruled by lesser Kings / chief who were directly answerable to the King.

iv) The empire had a standing army which was used for defense and expansion

v) Religion created political unity in the empire

vi) The emperor controlled trade activities whose revenue was to sustain the empire and the army

vii) The priest acted as links – spies between the people and the emperor.

viii) The emperor was a military leader.

ix) The emperor was a chief priest / had semi- divine powers.

x) The vassal states were ruled by chief who paid tribute to the emperor / king.

5 x 2 = 10mks QUES 22,DIST 9

12. Give two ways through which trade contributed to the rise of the Asante Kingdom during the 19^th century (2mks)

Acquired weapons used to expand the kingdom
1. Wealth from trade boosted the growth of the Kingdom
1. Rulers used wealth to reward loyal rulers
1. Rulers conquered other territories in search of trade goods

Any 2×1 = 2marks QUES 10,DIST10

13. a) Give three reasons why the Odwira festival in ancient kingdom of Asante was important (3mks)

It promoted unity of the people
1. It brought the provincial kings together to pledge loyalty to the Asantehene
1. It provided an opportunity for the kings to solve / settle disputes
1. It provided an opportunity for the kings to honour the dead

Any 3×1 = 3marks

b) Describe the social organization of Asante kingdom in the 19^thcentury (12mks)

The communities spoke the Akan language
They were organized into clans
Inter – clan marriage was prohibited
Inheritance and kinship system was matrilineal
The golden stool bound the community together
They had annual cultural festival (ordwira) held at Kumasi to honour the dead ancestors
They were polytheists but had one supreme god called Nyawe
The ancestors mediated between the gods and the people
The kings were regarded as semi – divine beings
The society was stratified – divided in social classes

Any 6×2 = 12marks QUES 20,DIST 10

14. Lubaale. (1×1= 1mk)QUES 9,DIST 11

15. i) The empire was ruled by all emperor who was head of state and government.

ii)The office of emperor / Asantehene was hereditary.

iii) The emperor /Asantehene was commander in chief of army.

iv) The emperor was assisted by state kings (omanhene)

v) There was a standing army for defence & expansion.

vi) The golden stool united the empire

vii) The Odwira festival was organized for state rulers to pay alliegence to the

emperor. ( Any 5 x1 = 5mks)

b) i) Constant rebellions by vassal states that wanted independence.

ii) The empire had grown too large for rulers to control effectively.

iii) The vassal states were not fully incorporated into the kingdom thus creating

weakness in the system.

iv)The forcing of the Asanter ruler Osei Tutu to grant independence to southern

states weakened the empire.

v) The Asante’s strained relations with Fante and the British affected Asante’s

trade.

vi) During the Asante – Fante war, the British supported the Fante, to fight the

Asante, thus weakening the empire. (Any 5 x 2 = 10 mks )QUES 19,DIST 11

16. Assisted Kabaka in administration.

Advised Kabaka
Directed collection of taxes.
Made laws.
Acted as court of appeal.
Represented the people in Buganda 2×1=2mks QUES 8,DIST 12

17. Economic activities of the Baganda.

(i) Grew crops.

(ii) Kept animals.

(iii) Hunters / gatherers

(iv) Traders

(v) Fishing.

(vi) Cloth making.

(vii) Basketry

(viii) Pottery

(ix) Carpentry/ sculptures 2×1= (2mks).QUES 7,DIST 13

18 Symbols of national unity in Shona kingdom.

(i) Kingship / Mwene Mutapa.

(ii) The royal fire. 2×1= (2mks). QUES 8,DIST 13

19. Give one role of omanhenes amongst the Asante in the 19^th century. (1mk)

They were the heads of Amatoo states.
They gave rights of declaring war on other communities.
They recognized the rights of the Asantehene to improve national rules or taxes.
They attended the annual Odwira festival to pledge loyalty to the Asante.
They were to grant their own subjects to appeal to the high court set up for the union in the capital.

2 x 1 = 2mks QUES 6,DIST 14

20. Apart from the Katikiro, mention two other chief officials who assisted the Kabaka in the administration of Buganda. (2mks)

Omulamuzi (chef justice)
Omuwanika (treasurer) QUES 8,DIST 15

21. (a) State five factors that led to the decline of the Asante kingdom (5 mks)

states around Kumasi struggled to regain their independence
- Several wars with the British weakened the army.
- the use of weak leaders
- wars with her neighbours weakened the kingdom
- Succession dispute after the death of Osei Tutu.
- It was too large to be ruled effectively.
- The abolition of slave trade which Asante depended on her revenue.

(b) How was the Asante Empire organized politically in the 19^th century? (10 mks)

– The Asante kingdom had a centrlaised form of government headed by Asante hene.

It was divided into nucleus (Kumasi states). The states outside Kumasi (amatos) and the conquered state)
Two levels of government-metropolitam Asante directly under the King and provincial Asante comprising of all conquered states.
The golden stool a symbol of unity was sacred.
The asante rules with the help of the confederacy council made of kings (omahene) of various states. Each state had its own black stool symbolizing their power.
Omahene declared war on behalf of the Asantehene.
A national festival (Odwira festival) was held annually to strengthen National Unity.
The kingdom was a standing army.
Had a judicial system based in Kumasi headed by the Asantehene.
Omauhene had powers to try minor case at the provincial level.
Kumasi was the administrative headquarters. QUES 20,DIST 15

22. Two functions of the Kabaka of Buganda

He was the Head of Government
Was the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Appointed senior officials in the government.
Was a supreme judge
He was incharge of all religious activities
He controlled trade 2×2 = 4mks QUES 11,DIST 16

23. a) Three functions of the Buganda traditional parliament

It made laws for the Kingdom
It checked on activities of the government
It presented the interests of the people
It advised the Kabaka 3 x 1 = 3

b) The political organization of the Mwene Mutapa Kingdom during the pre-colonial period.

The empire was ruled by an emperor who was both head of state and government.
The office of the emperor was hereditary
The emperor was assisted in administering by the queen military head drummer emperor’s, sister etc
The empire was divided into provinces which were ruled by lesser chiefs who were directly answerable to the emperor.
The empire had a standing army which was used for defense and expansion of the Kingdom.
The emperor controlled trade activities whose revenue was used to sustain the empire and the army.
Priests acted as a link between the people and the emperor.
The King was a military leader.
The King was a religious leader.
The prestige and loyalty to the King was maintained and expressed
Through a strict ceremonial behaviour of lighting the royal fire in the royal court and the carrying of the flame of the same by chiefs to their chiefdoms.
The King controlled the Kingdom from his royal palace/capital based at Great Zimbabwe/Mapungubwe and later from Dande. (2×6 = 12 mks) QUES 21,DIST 16

24. a) – Agriculture provided food to the population

– Centralized government with few disputes

– Trade with Portuguese

– Guns from E. African coasts armed their army

– Alliances with Portuguese explorers

– Weak neighbours offered little external threat (Any 5 x 1=5mks)

b) -It consisted of Kumasi and Oyoko clans 35 miles radius

– It was made up of Kumasi, Juaben, Bekinai, Kokofo, Insuta, Manipor, each headed by

Omanihenes

– Asante-hene had a golden stool and Omani henes each a black stool to signify their powers

– They attended annual Odwira ceremony in Kumasi to:

– celebrate Asante unity

– solve disbutes

– pay loyalty to Asante hene

– Honor the dead

– Omani henes – paid tributes

– declared war/peace with each other

– Each state had a standing army under omanihene but Asante army was under Asantehenes deputy (manpohene). (Any 5 x 2=10mks) QUES 20,DIST 17

25. i) Kings met in Kumasi and pledged loyalty to Omanhene

ii) Strengthened the spirit of solidarity / symbol of unity

Honouring the dead (any 1×1=1mk)QUES 8,DIST 18

26. – The royal fire in the palace

– The King – Mwene Mutapa (2×1=2mks) QUES 11,DIST 18

27. What was the most important symbol of unity among the Asante? (1mark)

– The Golden stool (1mark) QUES 10,DIST 19

28. a) Identify three ways in which trade contributed to the growth of kingdoms in Africa in the 19^th C (3mks)

Wealth from trade boosted the growth of kingdoms
- Kings imposed takes and other levies on the traders who passed through their territories.
- Kings acquired arms and ammunition from trade that they used to protector and expand their frontiers.
- Kings used the trade items e.g. clothes as gifts to win the loyalty of their subject chiefs.

(3pts x 1 = 3 marks)

b) Explain six factors that led to the rise and growth of the Buganda Kingdom (12marks)

The fall of the Bunyoro – Kitara kingdom her traditional enemy.
The Buganda had able Kabakas
The idea geographical location with adequate rainfall ad fertile soils favoured agriculture.
The small size of the kingdom enabled it to hold together.
They had a centralized system of government under the Kabaka that ensure unity.
Their participation in the long distance trade with the Arabs and Waswahili boosted growth. They acquired firearms through trade.
They had a strong army which enabled them to conquer the weaker neighbouring states such as Buddu and Busonga.
Baganda traditions boosted growth women worked in the farms, while men took part in politics and wars.
She got wealth from the kingdoms she had conquered which were rich in ivory, slaves and iron ore.

(any 6pts x 2= 12marks) QUES 18,DIST 19

29. How was the odwira festival vital in the Asante kingdom (2mks)

All Omanhene’s showed t heir loyalty to the Asantehene
It gave people a change to honour the dead
The Asante solved disputes amongst themselves during the festival
It enhanced Unity among t he Asante QUES 10,DIST 20