GRADE 9 Social Studies POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND GOVERNANCE – CULTURAL GLOBALISATION Notes
CULTURAL GLOBALISATION
Topic: Political Developments and Governance — Social Studies (Age 14, Kenya)
What is Cultural Globalisation?
Cultural globalisation is the spread and mixing of ideas, styles, foods, languages, music and beliefs across countries. It happens when people, goods, media and technology move between places and share culture quickly.
Main drivers (why it happens)
- Internet and social media (Facebook, TikTok, YouTube)
- Media, TV, music and films from other countries
- Trade, travel and tourism
- Migration and the Kenyan diaspora (people living abroad)
- International schools, NGOs and foreign businesses
🎧
Music
Hip hop meets Benga
🍔
Food
Fast food and nyama choma
👗
Fashion
Jeans, African prints
📱
Technology
Social media trends
Examples in Kenya
- Kenyan artists mixing hip hop with traditional rhythms (e.g., genge, benga).
- Fast-food chains and foreign dishes in Nairobi and Mombasa alongside local restaurants.
- Kenyan youth using English and Sheng (slang) with words from other languages.
- International films and TV shows shaping fashion and behaviour.
- Kenyan festivals (Lamu Cultural Festival, Lake Turkana Festival, Mombasa Carnival) that attract tourists and new cultural ideas.
Positive and Negative effects
Positive ✅
- New ideas and creativity in music, art and food.
- More trade and tourism, creating jobs.
- Access to global knowledge and education online.
- Stronger global friendships and understanding.
Negative ❌
- Local traditions and languages may be lost or ignored.
- Young people may copy unhealthy habits seen abroad.
- Local businesses may struggle against big international companies.
Role of government and governance
The Kenyan government and public bodies (like the Ministry of Sports, Culture & Heritage and the National Museums) can protect and promote culture by:
- Supporting cultural festivals and museums.
- Teaching local languages and history in schools.
- Making policies that help small cultural businesses and artists.
- Using media campaigns to celebrate Kenyan culture.
How you (students) can help preserve culture
- Learn and speak your mother tongue at home and school.
- Attend and take part in local festivals and dances.
- Make school projects about Kenyan music, dress and food and share them online.
- Support local artists, craftspeople and businesses.
Classroom activities (quick)
- Debate: "Does cultural globalisation help or harm Kenya?" (teams for & against)
- Make a poster: "Save Our Culture" — draw a mix of traditional and modern elements.
- Interview elders: ask how life and culture changed due to foreign influences.
- Social media task: create a 30-second video celebrating a Kenyan tradition.
Quick facts & short questions
Quick facts: Cultural globalisation is not only foreign → it also spreads Kenyan culture out to the world through music, sport and people.
Try these:
- Name two Kenyan cultural festivals you know.
- Give one way the government can protect heritage.
- Mention one positive and one negative effect of cultural globalisation on youth.
Glossary
Culture: The ideas, customs, art, food and beliefs shared by a group of people.
Globalisation: The connection and mixing of people, ideas and products across the world.