Masters Dissertations

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The 2008 financial crisis and Tanzania’s response
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2015) Nyamsenda, Sabatho
This study has sought to explain the nature and root cause of the 2008 financial crisis as well as the measures taken to resolve it. It has reviewed neokeynesianism and neoliberalism, the two dominant perspectives on the crisis, and concluded that they only provide piecemeal, ahistorical and economy-centric descriptions that delink the crisis from the internal contradictions of the capitalist system. The study has used the Marxian over–accumulation theory to show that the 2008 crisis was a manifestation of the system–wide and historical crisis of capitalism, whose root cause lies in the monopoly tendency of capital. The Marxist theory has also been used to analyse the stimulus package as well as the Kilimo Kwanza initiative – Tanzania’s short term and long–term solutions to the 2008 crisis. The study has found that the stimulus package was designed to generate profit to corporations without engaging in production or commercial activity. Designed and financed by developed countries, the stimulus package also laid conditions for an agrarian reform, which was operationalized through Kilimo Kwanza. Kilimo Kwanza is not a proactive undertaking but a positive response to the demands of giant corporations which seek for new channels for absorbing their over-accumulated capital. The initiative benefits giant corporations at the expense of smallholder producers in the country. The study ends by proposing disengagement from the global capitalist system by building a self-sustaining economy, as well as the pursuit of an agrarian reform that puts the interest of smallholder producers at the core.
Acquisition of prepositions by Tanzanian efl learners: a case study of University of Dar es Salaam
(University of Dar Es Salaam, 2013) Issaya, Lupogo
This is a descriptive case study which specifically examined the preposition acquisition differences and factors for those differences among Tanzanian EFL Learners. The study focused on locative and temporal prepositions which are found under three categories; must be used, obligatory deleted and optional prepositions. The study was guided by Interlanguage Theory by Larry Selinker. Systematic sample of sixty (60) University of Dar es Salaam undergraduate students was involved in the study. The study was limited to EFL learners in higher learning institutions. The data were collected through questionnaire, preposition testing knowledge and documentary review. The data were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. The findings revealed that the three preposition categories are acquired at different proficiency levels in which must be used prepositions are the first ones followed by obligatory deleted prepositions and finally optional prepositions. The reason for such difference was attributed to some of Selinker’s interlanguage strategies whereby learners generalize all prepositions to be must be used ones as it is in Kiswahili (their near native language) and transfer Kiswahili prepositions’ rules into English preposition use.Furthermore, English medium students and mature entrants with English language experience were more advanced in acquisition of prepositions than their non-English medium counterparts due to their more English exposure when compared with non-English medium students. Also, the acquisition proficiency of second year students was higher than first year students. It is recommended that, the coming studies should focus on other types of prepositions and involve different respondents.
Acquisition of the english determiner phrase by english foreign language learners
(University of Dar es salaam, 2012) Mushi, Emmanuel Paul
The purpose of this study was to examine the acquisition of the Determiner Phrase (DP) among English Foreign Learners (EFL), specifically to deduce the nature of Foreign Learner’s knowledge of the English DP and to discover possible order in the process of acquisition of English determiner phrase. Respondents in this study were Form Six students learning English as Foreign Language. To get the data for the study, the students were engaged in a supervised classroom test involving grammaticality judgment and re-ordering of given DP’s elements. It was hypothesized in this study that the foreign learners of English have cognition or knowledge of the grammar of the DP and that there is a definite route which they follow in acquiring the DP elements. These hypotheses were motivated by the fact that other researches in the areas of first and second language acquisition have discovered orders of acquisition of some other grammatical elements and structures (Brown 1973; Dulay and Burt 1973 & 1974; Kwon, 2005).The findings of this study have shown that EFL learners have a strong knowledge of headedness of DP, and that the order of acquisition is Noun >Determiner >Adjective. Further, it has been discovered that learners find it difficult to discover accepted order of a specified group or type of words within a specified grammatical category; for example, order or so called determiners or adjectives within their domain in the DP.
The acquisition order of Kiswahili grammatical morphemes in Kiswahili speaking children.
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2002) Upor, Rose Acen
Earlier studies done in other languages have revealed that the differences in the order of acquisition of grammatical morphemes in the mother tongue and the target language can serve to explain the problems that children face in the course of learning the target language. This study intends to determine an order of acquisition of grammatical morphemes in Kiswahili speaking children using the order of acquisition of the same in English speaking children as a model. The methods used in order to achieve the objectives of the study were' both qualitative and quantitative. These methods used were manifested through the use of questionnaires and observation techniques in data collection. Four sets of questionnaires were prepared and administered to the research samples that comprised teachers, school heads/owners, parents and children. Observation method was used for the interactions that the children indulged in. One of the major findings of this study revealed that the order of acquisition of grammatical morphemes in Kiswahili speaking children differed from the order of acquisition of the same in English speaking children. Secondly, there were both individual differences and age related differences in the language development of children. Thirdly, the environment weighs on the child's acquisition of Kiswahili grammatical morphemes.
The adequacy of translation theory with respect to drama: the case of Samuel Mushi’s Mfalme Edipode
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2009) Mtui, Johness A.
This study addresses the adequacy of translation theory, it aims at examining the extent to which the translation theory particularly “Text Type Translation Theory” is adequate in translating the drama, one of the literacy texts. The drama under this study is Mfalme Edipode by Samuel Mushi whose original is Oedipus the King by Sophocles. In examine the adequacy of TTTT as applied by Mushi in “Mfalme Edipode”, the constructs in various unit levels from Original Text have been placed parallel with Target Text and analyzed qualitatively through content analysis and questionnaires. Other information has been found and obtained through interview questions. The findings have shown that, there are still deviations in the translation text despite the use of TTTT. A part from the common causes of those deviations that have been realized in many translation studies, such as linguistic gaps and cultural differences between the ST and TT, this study also found extra causes. These are the use of a single translation theory and shortcomings of the translators. It was evidenced that, translators with the knowledge of the translation theory produce more adequate translation texts compared to those without the knowledge, and the translation experts produce the most adequate translation texts when they translate the texts of their fields of specialization. Consequently, the study recommends highly on translators’ part in translation practice, the importance of the knowledge of translation theories. These revealed findings, together with recommendations are expected to be used by translators to improve their task.
The adjective as a word category in Kisukuma
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Nyanda, Davis
This study is an attempt to describe the adjective category in Kisukuma. It seeks to establish the core members of adjective category in the language. It also examines the way property concepts are expressed in Kisukuma. To achieve this end, the study uses morphological, semantic, and syntactic approach to identify and analyse the adjectives. Data were collected using questionnaire and interview methods. To get more insights documentary review was also done to supplement the other two methods. The collected data were analysed using data display and analysis strategy. The findings of the study reveal that the adjective category in Kisukuma is open with 39 core members. The category also includes derived adjectives from verbs and borrowed members from Kiswahili. Kisukuma adjectives function as attributive modifiers of nouns. They also function as predicates in copula constructions. In addition, the adjectives in Kisukuma modify nouns from several classes, copy the prefix of the noun they modify and they are used to show comparison. Furthermore, the findings show that property concepts in Kisukuma are expressed through adjectives, associative phrases, possessives, finite clauses and infinitive relative clauses. It would be more interesting if similar studies were done in other Bantu languages to establish similarities and differences.
The adjective as a word category in kisukuma
(University of Dar es salaam, 2010) Nyanda, Devis
This study is an attempt to describe the adjective category in Kisukuma. It seeks to establish the core members of adjective category in the language. It also examines the way property concepts are expressed in Kisukuma.To achieve this end, the study uses morphological, semantic, and syntactic approach to identify and analyse the adjectives. Data were collected using questionnaire and interview methods. To get more insights documentary review was also done to supplement the other two methods. The collected data were analysed using data display and analysis strategy. The findings of the study reveal that the adjective category in Kisukuma is open with 39 core members. The category also includes derived adjectives from verbs and borrowed members from Kiswahili. Kisukuma adjectives function as attributive modifiers of nouns. They also function as predicates in copula constructions. In addition, the adjectives in Kisukuma modify nouns from several classes, copy the prefix of the noun they modify and they are used to show comparison. Furthermore, the findings show that property concepts in Kisukuma are expressed through adjectives, associative phrases, possessives, finite clauses and infinitive relative clauses. It would be more interesting if similar studies were done in other Bantu languages to establish similarities and differences.
Adolescent’s sexual abuse in dar es salaam city, Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Mfaume, Dorcas Daniel
The Purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of adolescent’s sexual abuse in Dar es Salaam city. It was driven by the observation that there is an increasing incidence of adolescent sexual abuse with time in large cities like Dar es Salaam. The study was carried out in Dar es Salaam City from January to February 2010. Data was collected from a sample of 294 adolescents and six (6) discipline teachers. Questionnaires, semi structured interviews and in-depth interviews were used to collect primary data. Documentary reviews were used to collect secondary data. The findings show that majority of the adolescents were victims of sexual abuse since 58% of the respondents were already involved in sexual activities, mainly penetrative and non-penetrative sex. The mean age at first sexual intercourse was 14 years. The majority of the responsible persons (abusers) were neighbors and relatives. This is an indication of disintegration of neighborhoods, communities and kin networks. The effects of adolescent sexual abuse in this study were pregnancy, school drop-out, bad school performance, psychological trauma, prostitution, increased STIs risk and HIV/AIDS. The study concluded that adolescents’ sexual abuse was on the increase. However the problem can be reduced if appropriate measures are taken. Among the major recommendation include revitalizing population and sex education programs during childhood so as to acquaint adolescents’ with facts concerning human sexuality, and to increase awareness among community to make responsible and rational decisions concerning sexuality.
Aesthetic Idiom of Mohamed Suleman’s Writtings (Literary Discourse)
(University of Dar es Salaam, 1980) Khamis, Said A. M
This work is an attempt to probs into the aesthetics and artistic achievement of Mohamed Suleman’s literary discourses. The study therefore examines leman’s artistic idioms in its evaluation as artistic medium and in how far it distinguishes him from other Swahili writers, especially Shaaban Robert and Kezilahabi. The central task of this dissertation is to discover and transpose as far as possible the linguistic characteristics of his works, describing the literary and statistics significance of his linguistics structure by means of close examination of phonological, syntactical and semantic features in relation to contextual and circumstantial needs of his works. Specifically, therefore this work. examine the authors literaryidioleticto determine its artistic and contextual relevance and merit in order to establish the author’s position as one of the best user Kiswahili artistically. The first chapter of this work is introductory. It deals with the choice the choice of the topic, hypothesis theoretical. Framework and methodology. In the second chapter. Statistical analysis of the work is carried out concentrating mainly on the distribution of signs as a formal and functional component. The third Chapter discusses the qualitative richness, of his work in term of contextualsignificance. Emphasis is put on creativity and innovations of words and other utterances. Inthe fourth chapter syntactic patterns are partterns are exposed as creative certain effects artistically inversions, repetitions, sound parterns… etc, are evaluated for their role in the artistic designs. The fifth chapter exposes the sociolinguistics levels of Suleman’s writing? Showing that a literary artist needs not write in standard from only, butalso in his dialect. In the sixth chapter the dissertation devote some spaces to illustrate some points about reading literary workindicating that, it is not enough to analyse language ag executed by the author, but also to consider the reader’srole for making the reading effective. In the final chapter a summary is given in general statement deducible from our findings.
Analysing students’ grammatical errors in English essays from selected secondary Schools in Dar es Salaam
(University of Dar es salaam, 2019) Mwakasoke, Robert
The quality study investigated common grammatical errors produced by students in their English essays .The study examined errors in 80 essays .The data were collected from two secondary schools Kitunda and Kinyerezi where students wrote the essay on a given topic “causes of road accident in Tanzania”. Following coder’s is (1967, 1974) model of error analysis errors were identified and classified into various grammatical categories. The five most common grammatical errors were tense and verb forms, pronouns, subject–verb agreement, articles and prepositions, findings revealed that student’ errors result from incompetence with interlingua and intralingua rules on part of the students, and lack of adeptness on the part of teachers. Drawing on the findings, this study is of view that the English language should be given first priority as a language of communication among the students and teachers during school hours because most of the errors committed are attributed to students’ LI. Therefore, this is the evidence that the students’ mastery of English which is the medium of instruction in secondary schools is still poor hence students ineffective in producing error-free essays.
Analysis of code-switching in social media chats among english-swahili bilinguals a case of jamii forum
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Msovela, Simon
This study was conducted in order to analyse code-switching (CS) in social media chats among English-Swahili bilinguals on Jamii Forums (JFs). The objectives of the study were: to analyse the patterns/ types of CS in the code-switched online chats as they appear on JFs, to examine the nature of the morphosyntactic distribution of the two languages involved in bilinguals’ chats on JFs, and to assess the functions of CS as seen in bilinguals’ online chats on JFs. Data from JFs threads specifically on the platform of Urafiki, Mahusiano na Mapenzi (MMU) was collected via online observation and the linguistic corpus was coded, presented and interpreted qualitatively. As far as the research findings are concerned, it was found that the code-switches done by the bilinguals as they chat on JFs appear in two distinct types (patterns): namely Intra-sentential and Inter-sentential CS. It was also found that, there is an asymmetrical relationship between the two languages involved in CS. The Matrix Language (ML) which is Swahili in this study contributed the system or grammatical morphemes such as infinitives, subject markers, object markers, verbBE and adverbial suffixes as the morphosyntactic frame for content morphemes from English. The English language which is an embedded language (EL) in this context, contributed content words like verbs, nouns and a fewer adjectives that had to fit in the Swahili grammatical frame. Finally, it was revealed that, when bilinguals chat on social medial like JFs, they do so to perform several functions namely: elevating one’s status, emphasising a point, communicating friendship, filling in the lexical gap, introducing a special point, euphemising taboo words, reinforcing a request, and easing tension.
An analysis of errors by Tanzanian learners of English in their academic writing: a Case of Mwika Secondary School, Kilimanjaro Region
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2016) Shigini, Peter Gonga
This study investigated errors committed by A-level students at Mwika Secondary School. In examining the types of errors (grammatical, lexical, morphological and orthographic) and the causes of such errors, the researcher analysed essays and compositions written by students. The study establishes specifically the difficulties in learning an L2 in a non-native context and thus hampering the attainment of a native-like competence in the L2. The data were mainly collected by use of writing task. The data were analyzed using content analysis method. The main findings are that learners committed numerous errors. The most prevalent errors committed were lexical errors; followed by orthographic errors, grammatical errors and morphological errors. Besides, spelling errors and capitalization were also the most prevalent errors committed by category. These errors, in general, were mainly attributable to the complexity of the TL itself, learners’ imperfect knowledge of the TL, the context of learning and L1 interference. The study concluded that regardless of the kinds and sources of errors in the learners’ language, errors are fruitful and indispensable to the L2 learners and to the teachers as well. The study recommends that teachers of English should put more emphasis on content words (lexical words) to ensure learners have a large vocabulary, which is useful not only in producing good written academic tasks but also good speeches. This is because lexical errors are potentially the most disruptive and damaging errors; they affect the message’s intended meaning in written communication.
Analysis of language use in Cigogo bride price negotiations
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Chilongani, Catherine G.
This study examined the language used in bride price negotiations (BPN) in Cigogo. Specifically, it examined turn-taking during BPN, identified the utterances used, and interpreted the meanings of the identified utterances. The study adopted the Ethnography of Communication as its theoretical framework. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. Data were collected through observation, focus group discussion (FGD) and interviews. Three events of BPN were observed, and a total of 39 participants participated in the study. Data were analysed qualitatively through the description of key themes using Hymes’ setting, participants, ends, act sequence, key, instrumentalities, norms of interaction and interpretation and genre (S. P. E. A. K. I. N. G) factors. The analysis concentrated on four elements of the components which are setting, participants, act sequence, as well as norms of interaction and interpretation. The findings reveal that in negotiating bride price speakers are pre-selected by the father of the fiancée and fiancé prior to the BPN event, and a speaker from the fiancé’s side is the initiator of the conversations. Additionally, the findings show that in negotiating bride price, Cigogo speakers maintain some of their culturally important elements such as the use of clan names, use of metaphors, idiomatic expressions, humor, as well as the special use of pronouns. In fact, interlocutors depend on their cultural knowledge to interpret the situational meanings of the utterances. It is recommended that studies should be done on language use in other ritual events in Cigogo such as political meetings, litigations, greetings, condolences, as well as curses especially in Cinyambwa and Cinyaugogo dialects.
An analysis of lexical errors in English subtitles in bongo movies and how they are perceived by Swahili learners of English.
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2018) Albin, Anselmina
The study investigates lexical errors in English subtitles in Bongo Movies and the way these subtitles are perceived by Swahili learners of English. Data for the present study was collected from films and also through focus group discussions. The samples which were deliberately selected comprised two Bongo Movies with English subtitles and 26 Form III students from Makongo and Jitegemee secondary schools. The data collected from films were analysed in Error Analysis steps, whereas data from focus group discussions wereanalysed thematically. The findings reveal the following. Firstly, lexical errors in the English subtitles in the Bongo Movies occur in a certain consistent manner, in this regard, five patterns were identified, namely: distortion 32%; misinformation 31%; misselection 14%; a confusion of sense relation 14%; and collocation 9%. Secondly, the reasons for the errors were reported to be: (1) low English language proficiency of the subtitlers which goes in hand with their unprofessionalism as translators, and (2) language differences between Swahili and English, which is also linked to their low English language proficiency. Thirdly, students’ perception of the use of the English subtitles varied depending on whether they use them or not. However, 22 out of 26 participants perceive them as a beneficial learning tool, but, their attitude towards erroneous subtitles was worrisome. Thus, the study concludes that lexical errors in the English Subtitles in the Bongo Movies influence learners negatively because their acquisition of English proficiency is limited to erroneous input. The study recommends that film stakeholders should pay attention to grammaticality of the English subtitles in the Bongo movies because there are those learners who learn English.
Analysis of performance of prepaid electricity metering (LUKU) and its impact on electricity sales revenue: the case of Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2011) Mbangala, Ambakisye Kapange
Performance of LUKU electricity prepaid meter refers to the ability of the LUKU system in affecting the relationship between the actual collections of sales revenue and targeted electricity sales revenue. Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) prepaid metering (LUKU) system that is used in collecting sales revenue has loopholes that slow the collect ion of electricity sales revenue. The LUKU system downtimes that took place in September 2008 and June 2009 slowed collections of electricity sales revenue. This study has identified more factors that hinder TANESCO from reaching its annual or monthly revenue collection targets. Basically, during the entire study, questionnaire was the major research instrument which was used for collecting data from 120 respondents. Data was analyzed by the method of descriptive analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Other methods used in this study are Case study and Desk research. This study has addressed the factors affecting electricity sales revenue and which when observed will enable TANESCO to meet its electricity sales revenue targets. These include staff motivation, activities carried out in a particular Region, Engineering ethics, LUKU installation expertise, Technology transition adaptation, number of customers in a particular Region, electricity costs, electricity availability, customer caring, Corruption, electricity meter design configurations and marketing strategies. The study highly recommends the implementation of the guidelines addressed in this study for TANESCO to be able to meet its annual or monthly electricity sales revenue targets.
An analysis of syntactic transfer in students’ english essays: cases from Secondary Schools in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2015) Ngaiza, Asteria Gabriel
This study analyzed syntactic transfer among Kiswahili learners of English in three government schools in Kilimanjaro Region. The aim of the study was to examine the cases of L1 transfer in students’ essays in order to find out the nature, amount and common syntactic transfer patterns. The study was guided by Selinker’s theory of interlanguage learning. The data for this study were collected through observation, questionnaire and the writing task by which respondents were given a topic on which to write an essay. The analysis followed the method of content analysis. The data patterns were sought with a view to identifying instances of syntactic transfer. The instances were then grouped and counted and comparatively described in percentages according to the levels and schools. The findings suggest that respondents transferred some syntactic features of their L1 in a consistent way when writing in English. Both Form III and IV transferred their L1 knowledge into English. The transfer types observed from their essays include word order transfer, article deletion, subject omission and redundant pronoun. Word order transfer featured more prominently compared to the other types.
An analysis of tense and aspect systems in Ikihehe: ‘A Case of Affirmative and Negative Constructions’
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2010) Mpalanzi, Lameck
This study examines the morphosyntactic properties of the Tense and Aspect systems (henceforth T/A) in Ikihehe. Although some scholars have sketchily discussed it, to date there is no sizable, detailed, typological or truly in-depth study of T/A in Ikihehe. In this endeavour, the study documents the morphological forms which mark T/A appearing in verbs in affirmative and negative constructions. In achieving the study objectives, two temporal theories were applied in the analysis, namely, Reinchebach’s linear model, which was supplemented by Guillaumean cognitive model. The primary data for this study was collected from Iringa district in Tanzania. The study relied much on synchronic observation, whereby information was collected through questionnaires, interviews, tape recording, text analysis and focus group discussions. The findings revealed that there are twelve (12) T/A formatives in Ikihehe, of which eight (8) are tense formatives which tend to occur in pre-root position and four (4) are aspect formatives, which occur in post-root, except for perfective and persistive markers. The findings also established that T/A markers tend to co-occur with specified aspectual adverbials. It has been observed that T/A are marked morphologically, tonologicaly and by periphrastic expressions. The findings further established that there are two negation markers si- and -laa- located in slot 1 and 5 on the verbal template. Moreover, the -si- negative marker tends to change the perfective markers from -é/ilé/ité/igé to negative suffixes -í/ilí/ití/igí. Although the study cannot claim to have solved the puzzles pertaining to the T/A systems in Ikihehe, it has laid the foundation for further exploration.
An analysis of the factors that hinder fine art students from proceeding to college or university in Zambia
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Chileshe, Christopher
The major objective of this research was to explore and uncover factors that hinder fine art students in the Northern Province of Zambia from proceeding to college or university to pursue fine art or applied arts courses. Not only was the objective of the research to examine attitudes that hinder positive thinking in secondary schools but also how they influence enrollment of fine art students in colleges/universities in the Northern Province of Zambia and explore opinions of teachers, students and other stakeholders concerning the fine art subjects’ progress in the Northern Province of Zambia. The study employed a case study as its research design which provided the opportunity and flexibility in the use of data collection methods in which questionnaire was used to collect data. Sampling procedure involved both probabilistic and non-probabilistic whereby 92 men and women in the four schools, two colleges and one provincial headquarters of Northern Province of Zambia.
The Anglican church and female education in the old diocese of central Tanganyika: 1920-1970
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Mwakasege, Tulibako Charles
This study examines the role of the Anglican Church in the provision of female education in the old Diocese of Central Tanganyika, basing on two ethnic groups, the Gogo and the Kaguru. The study has principally drawn on archival and oral sources, through interviews, and employs a multi-disciplinary approach to interpret the data. That is to say the study integrates a relatively wide range of disciplines: history, anthropology, sociology, theology and science of religion to lend meaning to the collected information. Feminist theory has been used as the main conceptual tool of analysis for this work. In their provision of female education, almost all missions were biased in regard to the subjects taught. Most subjects intended for females reflected their socially constructed gender roles. Initially mission education was provided to both males and females so that they could read the Bible. Over time however, gender-specific objectives came into play along with evangelization. Study findings reveal that the education provided by the church to female members was mainly domestic in emphasis. Therefore, the education provided, wittingly or unwittingly, gave rise to gender discrimination in ways that disadvantaged females in society. The study further reveals that up to 1970, women in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika were not sufficiently educated to be included in leadership positions in the church and even in other institutions, such as those pertaining to education and health provision. Most of the women who were educated between 1920 and 1970 were trained as secretaries, teachers and nurses, while the majority of Gogo and Kaguru girls became housewives because they did not make it to school due to various reasons including local customs especially girl child labour and early marriages for females.
Archaeobotanical evidence of crop economies practised along the nineteenth-century caravan route in southern Tanzania
(University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Mgombere, Cecylia Paul
This study sought to understand how crop economies of the local communities situated along the caravan routes in southern Tanzania were shaped by the expanding ivory and slave trade during the nineteenth century. Specifically, the study was conducted at two caravan halt settlements, namely Kikole and Mang'ua. Both settlements are known, based on nineteenth-century European accounts as well as artefactual evidence, as having been fully involved in the nineteenth-century caravan trade. The study had three specific objectives: first, to recover archaeobotanical remains from a selected sample of settlements identified directly along the caravan routes; second, to analyze the recovered archaeobotanical remains with a view to determining the crop species grown at these settlements during the caravan trade; and third, to assess the spatial-temporal changes in the composition of crop species grown and consumed at the studied settlements in the context of caravan trade expansion during the nineteenth century. Methodologically, the study employed scientific excavation to retrieve soil samples from various archaeological contexts. Soil samples were subjected to flotation using the bucket flotation method. Laboratory analysis was accomplished using a stereoscopic light microscope, and crops identification was made possible through seed reference manuals as well as local flora guides documented from the study area. The overall results from the laboratory analysis indicate the presence of various crops produced during the nineteenth century, including new crops such as Asian rice, coconuts and maize. It was also noted that there was no specialization in food crop production, rather various crops were all cultivated at the same time. These included finger millet, pearl millet, maize, rice, coconuts, legumes and cotton.

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