BONDO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BONDO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE 
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION 2012/2013 
2ND YEAR 2ND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE 
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF EDUCATION ARTS/SCIENCE 
WITH IT (REGULAR) 


COURSE CODE: ALI 203 
TITLE: POETRY IN EAST AFRICA 
DATE: 28/11/2012 TIME: 8.00-10.00AM 
DURATION: 2 HOURS 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. This paper contains FIVE (5) questions 
2. Answer question 1 (Compulsory) and ANY other 2 Questions 
3. Write all answers in the booklet provided 
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1. Discuss how East African poets have captured significant aspects of history in the poems. (30 
marks) 
2. Show how Okot P’Bitek uses poetic strategies to communicate the central concerns in Song of 
Lawino.(20marks) 
3. Critically evaluate how the feminist/female agenda has been treated in East African 
poetry.(20marks) 
4. “If that is what the poet meant to say, then why didn’t he/she just come out and say that?”With 
this statement in mind discuss language use in poetry in reference to any THREE poems from 
any of the following anthologies of poetry(20marks) 
I.Boundless Voices –Ed by A.I Luvai 
Ii.Echoes across the Valley –Ed by A.I Luvai and K Makhoka 
Iii.An Anthology of East African Poetry-ed by E. Alembi 
Iv.Mchezo Wa Karata-by Kithaka Wa Mberia 


5. Compare either of the following pairs of poems in terms of their theme(s) and style (20marks) 
(A) I.Death at Mulago by David Rubadiri 
Ii.The Death of my father by Henry Indangasi 
(b) I.The Siege of Ramogi by Jared Angira 
Ii.My Grandmother’s Chest by S.M Salim 
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