Song of Wealth: KCSE English Poetry Questions and Answers

Read the song below and then answer the questions that follow.

Soloist    : Greetings to you comrade warriors.
Others:     Greetings!
Soloist:     Do you know or you do not know me?
Others    : We do not know you?
Soloist    :  I know you know me not
                For I am he who is known as Ole Pare who wears a loose ring
                And who owns stout steers and a healthy herd.
                That bears in the months of plenty.
                That are over-weight by fat.
Others    : Yes it is him indeed!
Soloist    :  He that owns heifers with large stomachs.
                For whom the meadow is insufficient but who gets stuffed at the valleys.
                Where cow bells are removed1
                As they are grazed together with those of the king’s
Others:     It is him!
Soloist:     I have the blue one with the horn.
                Whose beauty resists branding.
                Who leads the large herd of Kilapa2
                Whose numbers pose difficulty when moving homes.                
                From NaomKipury, Oral literature of the Maasai               

Notes:      1. To prevent them from being discovered.                               

2. Name of a cow.

Questions

(a)    In which category would you place this song? Give a reason for your answer.    (2marks)

(b)    Describe the character trait of Ole pare depicted from th4e piece.    (2marks)

(c)     Explain two political aspects of the people from who the song is sourced.    (4marks)

(d)    The soloist seems to be rich. Cite his possessions.    (2marks)

(e)    Discuss one theme evident in the song.    (3marks)

(f)    If you have gone for fieldwork to collect the above oral narrative:

    i.    Highlight three of its aspects you would analyse.    (3marks)

    ii.    Mention three methods you would use in its collection.    (3marks)

(g)    I know you know me not    (1mk)

        End: …me

Answers

In which category would you place this song? Give a reason for your answer.               (2marks)
Praise song/ panegyric. The soloist praises himself for what he owns.

Explain the economic activity of the people depicted in the song.                                  (2marks)
Livestock keeping. The soloist keeps a large herd of cattle.

Explain two political aspects of the people from who the song is sourced.                    (4marks)
They have a king.
There are warriors. The soloist and the others are warriors.

The soloist seems to be rich. Cite his possessions.                                                            (2marks)
Stout steers
Heifers with large stomachs

Discuss one theme evident in the song.                                                                (3marks)
Wealth/possession. Soloist owns…….

If you have gone for fieldwork to collect the above oral narrative:
Highlight three of its aspects you would analyse.                                               (3marks)
Costumes
Season of presentation
Expression of culture/tradition

Mention three methods you would use in its collection.                         (3marks)
Interview schedule
Recording performance
Observation
Participation
Administering Questionnaires
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I know you know me not
End: …me
I know you can’t tell me.
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