THE BUGANDA KINGDOM
The people of Buganda are known as Baganda for many and Muganda for singular, their language is called Luganda and the Culture is called Kiganda. Luganda is the most widely spoken native language within Uganda and the central region of Uganda. The creation of written Luganda started in the 19th century, Luganda words mainly depended on the interpretation and impression that the ears of these foreign listeners heard of the Luganda word sounds. It was not surprising that Speke spelt Kyabaggu (Chabagu). The kingdom is ruled by the Kabaka(king) whose position is hereditary. The kabaka,after 1780, was expected to marry from many clans as possible to encourage loyalty to the throne since all the 52 clans kept great hopes of ever producing a king. It was always a tradition for Buganda Kings to build their palaces on hills for easy command and dominance which helped them gain extreme control over the main trails to the palace, besides making it easy for them to break free in scenarios of seizure or an uprising.
CULTURE OF BUGANDA
The Buganda’s clan system is central to its culture. A clan represents a group of people who can trace their lineage to a common ancestor in some distant past. In the customs of Buganda,there are 52 recognized clans,each with a clan head and out of which there is one royal clan(engo) from which the Kabaka is born. Each clan is recognized by a given totem and named respectively by the totem name.The Baganda took great care to trace their ancestry through this clan structure. A formal introduction of a Muganda includes his own names, the names of his father and paternal grandfather, as well as a description of the family’s lineage within the clan that it belongs to. Formal greeting in Buganda also requires for a lady to kneel before her elders and men while she humbly greets. This is a sign of respect and proper upbringing of a female child within the kingdom. Informal education was always embraced within the kingdom, under this, boys at their teenage age were taught how to hunt by the elderly men of the kingdom whereas girls were taken on by the elderly women, taught cooking, weaving and other basic home duties.
DRESSING AND MARRIAGE
Buganda as a kingdom has an official dress code for special ocasssions say marriages introductions, for the ladies, Gomesi is the official wear whereas men have the Kanzu. It it further emphasized by culture for a Muganda lady to always descently dressed. Marriage In Buganda also known as Okwanjula, it is the most celebrated ceremony in society. Marriage involves family aprrovals first in this case, to begin with is payment of dowry ,most preferably, cattle is used as the form of exchange. Dowry varies in quantity And this is usually determined by kind family the lady is from (how wealthy the lady’s family is). In this case a wealthy family will require highly valued dowry (more cattle).
MATOOKE THE TRADITIONAL DISH
Matooke also known as the east African highland banana is Buganda’ s traditional dish, the green plantains are peeled and cooked in water or steamed in banana leaves. When ready, matooke turns soft, yellow and really appetizing to eat. Matooke is usually served with groundnut sauce, meat, or vegetables. A ceremony in Buganda is never one without matooke on the menu to be served.
TRADITIONAL BUGANDA CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
THE ROYAL KASUBI TOMBS
The KasubiTombs of Buganda is situated on Kasubi Hill, approximately 6km away from the city of Kampala along the Kampala – Hoima highway. it is a very spiritual place in Buganda. The fully thatched Beautiful spot is known for being the cultural burial grounds four kings of Buganda(kabaka).
Several cultural rituals are practiced at the tombs by the Kabaka,further more, the interesting tale of the never ending fire smoke. This is a fire that was put up from when the kabaka was handed over power and the same fire has never been lighting until present day. This fire is only put out when the ruling kabaka has passed on. Kabaka muteesa 1 who holds the 35th slot in Kabakas that ruled Buganda was the first first Buganda king to be laid here. Upon the death of the Kabaka, he would be laid down each king at distinct grounds and to inaugurate a regal sanctum to keep his jawbone, a body part that was believed to carry their spirits at a separate spot. These sanctums are claimed to have been inaugurated by several followers of the kings, the close circle around them and a spiritual channel that the laid down kings used to maintain. communication with their successors. Up to today, these sanctums are still kept in good shape because of the significant values they hold.
We as Twist African safari offer Social Impact Tourism in Uganda and as part of this program we organize Uganda safari trips that will let you view Kasubi Tombs, simply book a trip with us today and we shall include a day or two in your itinerary to let you discover and learn more about the history of Buganda Kingdom
WAMALA TOMBS
Wamala toms is also a spiritual sighting in uganda where Kabaka Suuna II,one of the greatest ancient kings of Buganda was laid to rest.kabaka Suuna II the great ruled from 1836 to 1856, had over 148 wives and 218 children. He was the last Kabaka to be laid in his own palace and also the last King to have his jaw bone (which was believed to contain his spirit) removed after death and placed in a royal sanctum staffed by his followers. Notably, Kabaka Suuna II was the first Kabaka to admit traders into Buganda. Wamala Tombs is a great cultural spot to visit on your Uganda safaris. We as well organize SIT Uganda safari trips to the this memorable place
THE NNAMASOE BAAGALAYAZE TOMBS
The word “Nnamasole” is a Luganda term referring to the mothers of Kabakas . The Kanyange Nnamasole Tombs Is a Buganda cultural ground where , the mother to Kabaka Suuna II was laid to rest. Kanyange Nnamasole Tombs Tombs is situated at a place called Kagoma in Kyadondo county of Buganda, along the Kampala – Bombo highway, approximately a 13 kilometers’ drive from Kampala city are not far away from Wamala Tombs, they are situated on a hill adjacent to a valley to the Wamala Tombs. More mothers to Buganda kings were also buried in this tomb making it a very special place in Buganda . One of these tombs holds a sanctified drum that is used to request the presence of Kabaka Suuna II’s spirit.
The Nnamasoe Baagalayaze Tombs holds the remains of Nnamasole Baagalayaze, a mother to King Mwanga II, who was laid to rest in the year 1916. Nnamasole Baagalayaze was always marked by the Baganda and was famous for her bounteous character. Baagalayaze Tombs and its surroundings have turned into a traditional place where celebrations are held by the Buganda people about history of Buganda. A lot of traditional practices like story telling, traditional dances and music happen at this spot. Other than the Kanyange Tombs, Baagalayaze Tombs are located in Mpererwe found within Busiro County of Buganda, along the Kampala – Gayaza highway. The journey is less approximately 22 Km travelling from kampala city. Twist African safaris organizes SIT safaris to this remarkale place so fee free to drop us a message to get it all planned
THE UGANDA MATYRS SHRINE
The Uganda Martyrs Shrine is located in Namugongo, approximately 17 km from Kampala City. This shrine was put up in memory of the twenty two catholic Christian converts also known as the Uganda Martyrs were executed following the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II in 1886. The Church of Uganda together with the Roman Catholic Church Christians built a shrine in this place. Annual Pilgrimages are made to Namugongo Shrine every 3rd of June to remember the catholic converts that lost their lives because of their faith in God. Its a great place to visit when you embark on your safaris to Uganda.
The twenty four former servants of the kings at his palace were involved into Christianity that was being spread within the kingdom for the first time y the foreign missionaries. The servants go so staunch in the Christian faith and ignored the duties a the palace and gave up most of the traditional Beliefs and interests of Buganda kingdom since Christianity rejected all traditional religious behavior and practices implicating becoming part of it was more like a commitment to denounce the old traditions, build and depict new relationships and keep up with the new Christianity behaviors and standards. This started creating segments in Buganda and new converts were referred to as traitors. In a bid to denounce the trend and maintain the Buganda tradition, Kabaka Mwanga ordered the converts to select between the new kind of faith they had adapted to or complete compliance to his orders. The converts who weren’t willing to do away with their new faith would be sentenced to death by burning them alive,this was to set an example to any new converts as a form of intimidation. But to the kabakas surprise the converts stuck to their faith. This was the main reason behind the execution of close to 25 Christians at Namugongo on June 3, 1886. This day is now widely celebrated in the Christian faith up to present day.
The uganda matyrs story is one to explore and witness, get your trip to this memorale planned by simply dropping us a message