Examination Notes for East African Poetry and Drama

Examination Overview

This document outlines the examination structure for the degree of Bachelor of Education (Arts) at Kenyatta University, focusing on ALT 201/211: East African Poetry and Drama, during the 1st Semester of the 2025/2026 academic year.

Instructions

  • The examination consists of five questions. Students are required to answer Question 1 and any two additional questions of their choice. The total examination time allotted is 2 hours.

Question Breakdown

Question 1

Part a)

  • Prompt: Discuss the existence of poetry and drama in East Africa before the introduction of Western education, highlighting the role of oral traditions.
  • Marks: 12

Part b)

  • Prompt: Examine how East African poetry and drama have evolved in the modern period.
  • Marks: 12

Question 2

  • Prompt: With reference to "Song of Lawino" by Okot P'Bitek, examine how oral traditions influence written East African poetry.
  • Marks: 18

Question 3

  • Prompt: Examine how the characters of Wamala and Tinka, in "The Burdens" by John Ruganda, reveal the personal and social struggles of post-independence East Africa.
  • Marks: 18

Question 4

  • Prompt: Discuss how the stylistic techniques used by Ebrahim Hussein in "Kinjeketile" contribute to the play's political and cultural message.
  • Marks: 18

Question 5

  • Prompt: Examine the theme of social injustice in Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Ngugi wa Mirii's "I Will Not Cry When I Want."
  • Marks: 18

Summary

The questions cover a range of topics within East African poetry and drama, focusing on the historical context, oral traditions, character analysis, stylistic techniques, and thematic explorations. Students should prepare by studying the prescribed texts and understanding the cultural and historical significance of the works discussed in the examination. Each response should reflect not only a comprehension of the texts but also their overarching themes and the societal issues they address, all through a careful analysis of character, style, and tradition within the scope of East African literature.