Uganda is famous for harboring the rare mountain gorillas and over 1060 species of birds. Tourism in the country is largely based on wildlife viewing activities including gorilla trekking and chimpanzee safaris, bird watching, game drives and launch cruises among others. However, the rich wildlife is also complimented by cultural diversity. With over 56 indigenous tribes speaking over 40 languages, Uganda is one of the diverse cultural destinations in Africa. Cultural tourism in Uganda has potential to preserve the heritage, enhance cross-cultural understanding and contribute to the local economy. Cultural safaris offer a chance to visit local communities, meet people and experience their customs.
The ethnic tribes of Uganda are grouped into the Bantu, Nile Hamites and Nilotic. Furthermore, there are Ik Bushmen and Batwa pygmies the forest hunter gatherers. These were pushed out of their original homelands as protected areas were gazetted. Before the declaration of Uganda as a British protectorate, most of the tribes in Uganda were organized under traditional kingdoms including Chwezi Empire, Kitara, Buganda, Ankole among several chiefdoms such as Acholi and Alur. After independence in 1962, the struggle for political power (Kabaka crisis 1966) led to disintegration of the ancient kingdoms. Despite the ethnic tensions, cultural traditions and customs including ritual observance, dress code, food, architecture, music, art and dance are widely practiced among various ethnic tribes. Ugandans have also remained friendly and welcoming. Majority of the people (74%) of the 45 million people live in rural areas and produce their own food. Though each tribe has its own favorite dish, Matooke (banana plantain) is the national dish of Uganda. Our customized cultural tours offer you chance to explore different tribes in the Pearl of Africa.
Cultural activities to do on Uganda safari include village walks, undertaking volunteer work, trying local banana beer or food, homestay and attending a cultural show at Uganda National Theater. English is the official language and Christianity is the dominant religion. The local languages including Swahili and Luganda are widely used. Check for details about indigenous cultural tribes in Uganda with Gorilla Trek Africa.
Fascinating tribes of Uganda
IK – the mountain people
The Ik people live on the slopes of Mount Molungore in Kaboong district north-eastern Uganda (Karamoja region) near the border with South Sudan and Kenya. Originally hunter gatherers, IK which means “head” are thought to be leaders of the Kuliak speaking people migration from the Sahara desert. They settled in Kidepo Valley National Park known for harboring 77 mammal species including cheetah, lion, leopard, elephant and Buffalo. When the protected area was gazetted in 1962, the IK were pushed out of their hunting grounds. This forced them to embrace unfamiliar cultivation including bee keeping for survival. The structure of the IK community is comprised of a cluster of small huts (Asaks) along with granaries (food store) surrounded by a wood fence. A single hut acts as kitchen, dining and bedroom. There’s little modernization among the Ik and children grow up minus putting on clothes. The neighboring communities are made up of the Karamojong and Turkana (from Kenya) the semi-nomadic cattle keepers. Due to differences in language and culture, the Ik are overlooked.
They have become target caught in the historical armed cattle raiding conflicts. The hostile neighbors forced some of the IK to migrate to Kenya. The unfertile rocky soils that couldn’t support adequate food production led to famine and disease (cholera and malaria). The harsh conditions that Ik faced were described by an American anthropologist Colin Turnbull during in his book “The Mountain People”. When the IK population was thought to be reducing, the Uganda government carried out interventions. In 2011 the population of the IK was about 11217 people and today, they are thought to be less than 5000 individuals within Ugandan borders. Education and access to health care services have been extended into their communities. Visiting the IK is done from Kidepo Valley National Park headquarters at Apoka. A hike into the Molungore Mountains can be done in addition to birding and game drive safari in Kidepo Valley National Park.
The Karamojong
Karamojong are Nilotic semi-nomadic pastoralists in Karamoja region north-eastern part of Uganda along the border with Kenya and South Sudan. Karamoja is Uganda’s most remote area with 1.2 million people located in the open semi-desert area encompassing seven districts including Moroto, Kotido, Nepak, Amudat, Kaboong, Abim and Nakapiripit. Moroto the largest town where you can experience their culture is 528 sq.km (9-hour drive) north-east of Kampala capital city. The level of development in the region is relatively low compared to the rest of the country. Unlike Ugandans in west and central regions, the Karamojong have not largely been influenced by western culture. They have managed to keep their cultural identity despite the poverty, drought and famine the region is facing.
The Karamojong cherish cattle as a symbol of social status and travel to places in search of water and grass. Most of their grazing lands were gazetted as protected areas including Kidepo Valley National Park and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve which has limited their movements. Due to value placed on cattle especially for bride price, there has been a long history of cattle raiding conflicts with their counterparts including Pokot and Kelenjin. The popular traditions of the Karamojong include high jumping dance and wearing of colorful beads and Kikoys. Men and women decorate their bodies with scarification marks. They live in traditional huts made of grass and mud called Manyattas making spectacular landscape. By outward appearance, Karomojong look more or less similar to the Masai warriors of Kenya and Tanzania. Apart from the unique culture, the region offers game drive safaris in Kidepo Valley National Park (Africa’s true wilderness) and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. The protected areas are flanked by dry mountains including Mt. Molungole, Mt. Moroto and Mt. Kadam which offer low altitude hiking and spectacular scenery.
Batwa pygmies
Known as “keepers of the forest”, Batwa pygmies are descendants of hunter gatherers originally living in tropical forests of East and central Africa. They are known to be first people to discover fire. The ancient pre-historic fire making skill can be seen at Batwa trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – southwestern Uganda. Miserably, Batwa were pushed out of their ancestral land to protect mountain gorillas when Bwindi – Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA) was created in in 1991. At first Batwa pygmies became victims of marginalization. Equally important, several interventions by NGO’s and government have provided health care and land improving their wellbeing. Today, life of the pygmies has changed and no longer live the old ways. Batwa are involved in community tourism through which they earn income and preserve their ancient traditions. Places to visit for Batwa cultural encounter include Batwa trail, Buhoma, Nkuringo sectors and Lake Bunyonyi. At Batwa trail, the pygmies will guide you into the forest and demonstrate how they used to live in the forest. The hike lasts for 2 to 6 hours and ends with traditional dance performances at Garama caves. In Bwindi, village walks to visit Batwa can be done after gorilla trekking in Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors.
Baganda
The Baganda (Ganda) are the largest Bantu ethnic tribe in Uganda and make up 26.6% (12 m) of the 48 million Ugandans. They inhabit the south-central areas on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. Being near the largest freshwater lake in Africa, Baganda are traditionally fishermen and cultivators. The great pre-historic ancient craftsmanship of bark cloth and drum making originates from Masaka city in Buganda. Historical records going back to 13th century indicate that Kintu the first Muganda organized several tribes to unite. He formed Buganda kingdom and became the first Kabaka (king). The hereditary kingship is preserved at Kasubi Royal Tombs a UNESCO world heritage site at Kasubi hill 5 sq.km from Kampala capital city. The four former kings of Buganda are buried there and sheltered in a spectacular traditional hut made with grass and papyrus reeds. There are over 40 clans in Buganda each with a unique totem including an animals and plants. The cultural customs and traditions in Buganda play an important role in conservation of natural resources.
People respect their totems and it’s considered a taboo to eat or kill them. Those intending to see totems of Buganda can visit Royal Mile Walk at Mengo one of the 7 hills of Kampala city. The mile long route slopes from Lubiri (Kabaka’s palace) to Bulange the parliamentary building. There are several totem sculptures side by side of the road and a chance to taste fresh local banana beer. Mengo also offers a chance to uncover the turbulent modern history of Uganda at Amin’s torture chambers inside the palace. Given that Baganda are traditionally cultivators, food is an important tradition. Luwombo is the main dish of Buganda and the royals used to have it as their meal. The dish is prepared by steaming meat varieties in banana plantain leaves. Rolex is another popular street dish in Uganda including rolled eggs and vegetables wrapped in a chapatti. Cultural tours on Uganda safari offer a chance to participate in local food preparation especially at Entanda village. In addition to food, the Baganda boast of having unique traditional dances involving movement of the waist and tip-toeing. Ndere cultural center and the Uganda National theatre in Kampala capital city offer live performances.
Banyankole
The Banyankole inhabit the west and south-western part of Uganda including Mbarara, Ntungamo and Bushenyi districts. They are grouped into Bantu (farmers) also herding goats and sheep and the Nile Hamites (Bahima) nomadic cattle keepers famous for their long horn cows. The social structure of Banyankole is traced to roles the creator of heaven and earth (Ruhanga) assigned to his three sons namely; Kakama, Kairu and Kahima. They were tasked to hold their milk pots on their laps all night. The next day, it said that Kairu spilled the milk while the rest kept theirs. In that regard, Ruhanga declared Kahima and Kakama to rule the land. Kairu would then be their servant. Regardless, the two interdepended on each other in exchange of cow milk, ghee with grain agricultural products especially millet grain. Despite the cultural beliefs and political setup largely dominated by Bahima. This relationship still exists today as indicated by the main dish of Ankole consisting of Akaro (mingled millet flour) and Eshabwe (a thick cow ghee sauce). In the early 15th century when the Chwezi Empire disintegrated, the kingdom of Nkore was formed by Ruhinda son of Ndahura the last Chwezi king. The leadership of Ankole kingdom is hereditary among the Bahinda clan. The king known as (Omugabe) in Runyankole dialect was at the top of the centralized system of governance followed by the Prime Minister (Enganzi) and chiefs at parish level. The Ankole kingdom royal regalia consisted of the royal drum “Bagyendanwa” which had its own cows.
When the empire begun to expand towards Rwanda, it was attacked by rival Bunyoro which raided herds of cattle. On April 17th 1520 AD when King Olimi Rwitamahanga of Bunyoro was returning home with his loot, a great eclipse occurred while at Biharwe hill at the entrance of Mbarara city. The darkening of the sky frightened Olimi who thought it was bad luck forcing him to abandon the cows and flee. The retrieved cows were regarded as precious from heaven (Empenda ya Munoni). Biharwe eclipse was proved by National Aeronautics and Space Administration Agency (NASA). The historical event was honored with building of Biharwe Eclipse Monument near Igongo Cultural Center in Mbarara city. Igongo offers Ankole cultural museum and entertainment, accommodation and restaurant that serves traditional Ankole dishes. Those intending to learn about the heritage of Ankole cows can visit Lake Mburo National Park. The park contains Enyebwa Cultural and Educational Center found which offers a chance to participate in milking and watering of Ankole cows. Elsewhere, Nshenyi cultural village in Ntungamo district is 53 sq.km (56 minute drive south-west of Igongo Mbarara. The village offers a detailed Ankole cultural experience including agri-tourism farm stay and food harvesting.
Bagisu
The Gisu also known as Bamasaba are Bantu tribe in 5 districts of Eastern Uganda including Mbale district on the lower slopes of Mount Elgon National Park. Mount Elgon’s Wagagai peak (4321 m) on the Uganda-Kenya border is the 4th tallest and largest extinct volcanic caldera in Africa. The Gisu call the mountain by the name “Masaba” their founding father. Masaba fell in love with a girl called ‘Kakai’ from the Masai warriors who initiated him into their ordeal of circumcision. The initiation rite known as Imbalu was from then passed on to generations. Today, the Imbalu circumcision ceremony is used to initiate boys into men and full members of the community. With increase of domestic tourism in Uganda, Imbalu has become of the spectacular cultural events in East Africa. During the event, men and women dress in traditional clothing and tie their waists with banana plantain leaves. Flutes, fiddles, bells and cultural dances are performed including Isonja to warmup the boys who run around the village before the final event. After after being circumcised, Ineemba dance is played to congratulate them. Cultural leaders of Bamasaba organize the carnival annually every August uniting all Bagisu people in the region.
Furthermore, there are several ways to experience the cultural heritage of Bamasaba. Those intending to visit Mount Elgon for hiking and wildlife safari can visit the Arabic and Robusta coffee farms. Mostly found in the area around Sipi falls in Kapchorwa. The fertile volcanic soils of Mount Elgon produce some of the finest coffee which is Uganda’s second biggest source of foreign exchange. Sipi falls coffee tour offers a chance to meet farmers and take a tour of their farms.
Alur
The Alur are farmer – cattle breeding people of the Nile basin north of Lake Albert. Estimated at estimated at 1.7 million people, the Alur live in West Nile northern part of Uganda including Pakwach, Nebbi, Zombo and Arua districts. The language of the Alur people is Luo. The Luo speakers are part of the River-Lake Nilotics who originated from Rumbek in South Sudan and dispersed in various parts of East Africa. They are closely related to Jaluo of Kenya and Dinka of South Sudan. According to a legend, Atira who is believed to be the founding father of the Alur led his migration and settled at Pubungu in Pakwach. Among his descendants were three sons including Labongo, Nyapiri and Tiful who became great hunters. Gipiri while hunting an elephant lost a Royal Spear which led to conflict and separation with his brother Labongo. Gipiri’s off springs formed Ukuru the largest of the Alur clans. Labongo moved east of the Nile River and intermarried with central Sudanic Lendu and created forth the Acholi. The Ukuru clan was regarded more powerful and politically dominated the Alur Chiefdom.
In conclusion, cultural diversity in Uganda is one of the intresting facs abot this pEarl of Africa. Join our Cultural tours, explore different cultural tribes and enjoy Uganda!
