During the colonial period, the Pokot were called "Suk" by Europeans. To some Pokot, the older designation is a reminder of an era in which Africans lacked the power to name themselves; to others, it represents the clever ruse of a forebear who outwitted powerful strangers by disguising his identity. In the first perspective, "Suk" is an ethnic slur that Europeans borrowed from the Maasai, who denigrated nonpastoral pursuits. They live in an ecologically complex region that extends from the plains of eastern Uganda across the highlands of northwestern Kenya to the plains of Lake Baringo. Most Pokot reside in Kenya's West Pokot District. Singing, storytelling, and decorative arts, especially bodily adornment, are highly valued.

Concepts

culture, kenya, uganda

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Additional Tags

"suk" is an ethnic slur, counties and their cultures, pokot, singing, storytelling, and decorative arts, especially bodily adornment, live from eastern uganda across the highlands of northwestern kenya to the plains of lake baringo

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 2 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)
• The intended use for this resource is Instructional