STRAND 1: PEOPLE AND POPULATION

1.1 Scientific theory about human origin.

The scientific theory about human origin is also called the evolution theory. It was developed by Charles Darwin. The theory argues that all living organisms underwent processes of change over millions of years by evolving from simple forms to complex forms.

This happened through the processes of:

Mutation – human organisms went through changes in their genes and the behaviour of their bodies.

Natural selection – after mutation only the fittest or strongest organisms survived.

Adaptation – after surviving mutation and natural selection, the organisms adapted to their new environment.

Stages of Human evolution.

Aegyptopithecus: Was the earliest ancestor of both human beings and apes. Was discovered in Egypt. Moved on four limbs and had a tail.

Dryopithecus: Had a flat skull and larger canines. Was discovered in Rusinga Island. Moved on four limbs and had a pointed face.

Kenyapithecus or Ramapithecus: Had larger teeth and jawbone. Was discovered in Fort Ternan. Moved on two legs and had a larger brain capacity.

Australopithecus: Had a loping forehead, projecting face and big eyebrows. Fossils were discovered in Ethiopia, Botswana, and Tanzania. Walked upright.

Homo habilis (Handy man): Was human-like but with longer arms. They lived in families and had a brain capacity larger than Australopithecus. Discovered in Olduvai Gorge and Koobi Fora.

Homo erectus: Was upright man. Had a brain capacity of 850cm³. Discovered fire and made advanced tools. Found in Lake Turkana, Hadar, and Morocco.

Homo sapiens: More intelligent than Homo erectus. Had a brain capacity of 1000–1800cm³. Had straight legs and walked with long strides.

Homo sapiens sapiens: Was the last stage of human evolution and is the most advanced creature to appear on earth.

Importance of Fossil Records.

Fossils refer to the preserved remains of plants and animals that are found beneath the surface of the earth. Fossil records help to understand how human beings evolved, lived, adapted, and changed their physical appearance in the past.

Fossil records have the following importance:

• Provide past evidence on how plants and animals adapted to their environment.

• Helps to establish evolutionary relationship between organisms and their ancestors.

• Helps to establish the time period in which organisms lived.

• Helps archeologists and other natural scientists to place important events and species in the appropriate historical era.

• Helps us to understand the social, political, and economic life of man over years.

• They give us information on the culture, clothing, food, and beliefs in the past.

• They provide evidence of Africa being the cradle of humanity.

1.2 Early civilization.

Places of origin of early visitors to the East Africa coast:

East Africa was visited by visitors from Europe and Asia. They included: Arabs, Portuguese, Indians, Persians, Chinese, Greeks, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Romans, and Syrians.

Swahili civilization along the East African Coast.

The east African coastline is a long stretch made up of Somali, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. Swahili civilization developed from the interactions between local bantu speaking communities and the Arab traders. They practiced a blend of Islam and traditional African religions.

Cultural impacts include new clothing designs like Kanga, kanzu and taqiyah and special foods such as biryani, pilau, and mahamri. They built city-states such as Kilwa, Mombasa and Zanzibar which became centers of trade for gold, ivory and slaves. Buildings were made from makuti, coral stones and lime.

Factors that led to the growth of East Africa city-states:

Bantu migration and arrival of the Arabs: Interaction between Bantu farmers and Arab traders led to the establishment of city-states.

Trade: Trading activities with India, China, Persia and Arabia.

Monsoon winds: Facilitated the movement of vessels of traders to travel from one coast to another.

Rise of Islam: Linked Swahili states to massive trade networks.

Good deep natural harbours: Ensured the safe docking of vessels.

1.3 Population growth in Africa.

Population growth is determined by carrying out a national census. It is the change of population size in a region over a period of time.

Positive population growth: Results when birth and immigration rates are higher than death and emigration rates.

Negative population growth: Occurs when more people leave through death or emigration than those joining through birth.

Causes of Population growth in Africa:

High fertility rates: Due to early marriages, limited access to contraceptives, and traditional beliefs.

Declining mortality rates: Improved healthcare and access to clean water.

Urbanization: Increased migration from rural areas to cities in search of opportunities.

Lack of education: Limits understanding of family planning.

Natural calamities: Drought and famine result in deaths, slowing the growth rate.