- Its the largest language group in E. Africa.
- They are found in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
- The original homeland was Congo forest.

Routes they followed

1. Lake Albert- Lake Edward route
- They are called western Bantus in Kenya. They include; Abagusii, Abakuria and Abaluhyia in Kenya.
- In Uganda- Bunyankole, Basoga, Bagissu, Banyoro, Baganda and Batoro.

2. Lake Kivu - Lake Edward route
- They settled in Tanzania i.e Nyamwezi, Chagga, Sukumu, Mijikenda and Pokomo.
- Eastern and central Bantus include Agikuyu, Aembu, Ameru, Akamba and Ambeere.

3. Lake Kivu - Lake Tanganyika route
- They settled along the Tanganyika.
- They are the Ha, Vinza and Fipa.

4. Lake Tanganyika - Lake Malawi route
- They settled along Tanzania Coast.
- They are Yao, Gogo, Makonde and Hehe.

Reasons for migration of the Bantus

1. They wanted fertile land for farming.
2. Drought and famine.
3. Attack from neighbours.
4. Communal dispute among themselves.
5. Over population.
6. Out-break of diseases.

- They came from South Sudan (Nile Valley).
- They are divided into 3 groups.

1. River Lake Nilotes

- They came from Bahr-el-Ghazal in South Sudan.

• Kenya- Luos.
• Uganda- Jopadhola, Alur, Lugbara, Acholi and Lango.
• Sudan- Anuk, Shiluk, Nuer and Dinka.

2. Highland Nilotes

- They are called collectively Kalenjin.
- They first settled at Mt. Elgon and later to R. Valley.
- They are Nandi, Keiyo, Saboat, Marakwet, Terik, Ogiek, Kipsigis, Tugen and Pokot.

3. Plain Nilotes

- They are mainly pastoralists.
- Maasai are found in Kenya/Tanzania.
- Iteso are found in Kenya/Uganda.
- Karamajong and Jie are found at Mt. Moroto and later to L. Turkana.
- They are Maasai, Samburu, Turkana and Njemps.

- They migrated in search of water and pasture.
- They came from Arabia through Red sea and settled in Northern Somalia.
- They are pastoralists.
- Eastern Cushites are Somali, Oromo and Burji, Gabbra, Borana and Rendile in Kenya, Somali and Ethiopia.

Reasons for migration of Cushites

1. Search for water and pasture.
2. Drought and famine in the homeland.
3. Overpopulation.
4. Family and clan quarrels.
5. Outbreak of diseases.
6. Spirit of adventure.
7. External attacks.

- They are found in Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea.
- They are traders.
- They came from South Arabia into horn of Africa through the red sea.

• Somalia- Arabs.
• Ethiopia- Arabs, Falasha, Amharas.
• Djibouti- Amharas, Tigreans.
• Eritrea- Tigreans, Amharas.
• S/Sudan- Araba, Tigreans, Amharas.

Other Communities in Eastern Africa

1. Europeans- Came as missionaries and as colonisers.
2. Asians- Came to construct railway.

Effects of migration and settlements

1. Outbreak of war among the communities.
2. Interaction led to exchange of cultures.
3. Intermarriages among the cimmunities.
4. Adoption of economic activities,
5. Displacement of communities.

- It refers to how people are spread out over a given area.
- Population density is the number of people living in area per square kilometer.
- Highlands and L.Victoria basin, Mt regions are densely populated. ( 200 people per sq km.)
- Arid and semi arid areas have low population (below 50 persons per sq km) .
- Area with a lot of people are said to be densely populated.
- Areas with few people are said to be sparsely populated.
Densely populated areas in Eastern Africa include;

• Highlands of Eastern Africa.
• Lake basin of Kenya and Uganda.
• Coastal areas of Kenya and Tanzania.

Sparsely populated areas include:

• The Sudd region in the Nile Valley.
• Mountain tops.
• North Eastern Kenya.
• Many parts of Somalia and Sudan.
• Northern parts of Uganda.

1. Climate
- Rainfall: Areas with high rainfall support farming hence high population.
- Temperature : Areas with cool and wet temperature are good for human settlement.
- Soil: Fertile soil support farming hence high settlement.
2. Vegetation
- Savannah grasslands favours pastoralists.
- Forested areas are protected by government, hence no human settlement is allowed.
3. Presence of water
- Many people settle near water points, irrigation schemes and along the rivers.
4. Governance policy
- Government has set aside settlement schemes to settle the landless.
- Protected areas such as game reserves are not for human settlement.
5. Drainage
- Areas with good drainage attract dense population while flooding areas has low settlement.
6. Economic activities
- Towns/urban centres attract high population. Many people settle along mining centres eg Magadi and Shinyanga.
7. Social factors
- Social factors like schools, hospitals, theatre halls attract dense population. Areas with water, electricity, good roads attract people.
8. Political factors
- Political (differences) violence discourages settlement of people eg Somalia, South Sudan.