Bunyoro

For the sub-region of Uganda, see Bunyoro sub-region.

"Bunyoro-Kitara" redirects here. For the empire ruled by the Tembuzi and Chwezi dynasties, see Empire of Kitara.

Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Obukama bwa Bunyoro-Kitara (Nyoro)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Habwa Ruhanga n'Ihanga Lyange "For God and My Country"
Anthem: "Bunyoro-Kitara Anthem"
Location of Bunyoro (red) in Uganda  (pink)
Capital and largest city	Hoima
Official languages	Runyoro, English
Ethnic groups	Banyoro, Bagungu
Demonym(s)	Banyoro
Government	Constitutional monarchy
•  Omukama	Solomon Iguru I
•  Prime Minister	Andrew Kirungi Byakutaga Ateenyi
Consolidation  16th century
Area
17th century [1]	80,000 km2 (31,000 sq mi)
now	16,114.6 km2 (6,221.9 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	1.4 million
Currency	Ugandan shilling (UGX)
Time zone	UTC+3
Calling code	256

Person	MuNyoro
People	BaNyoro
Language	RuNyoro
Country	BuNyoro

Bunyoro, also called Bunyoro-Kitara, is a Bantu kingdom in Western Uganda. It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Central and East Africa from the 13th century to the 19th century. It is ruled by the King ( Omukama ) of Bunyoro-Kitara. ^{[2] [3]} The current ruler is Solomon Iguru I, the 27th Omukama. ^{[4] [5]}

The people of Bunyoro are also known as Nyoro or Banyoro. (singular: Munyoro) The language spoken is Nyoro, also known as Runyoro. In the past, the traditional economy revolved around big game hunting of elephants, lions, leopards, and crocodiles. Today, the Banyoro are now agriculturalists who cultivate bananas, millet, cassava, yams, cotton, tobacco, coffee, and rice. The people are primarily Christians. ^[6]

History

Establishment

The kingdom of Bunyoro was established in the early 14th century by Rukidi-Mpuga after the dissolution of the Empire of Kitara. ^[7] The founders of Bunyoro-Kitara were known as the Babiito, a people who succeeded the Bachwezi. ^[8]

Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom (Uganda)

The kingdom was formed after the collapse of the Empire of Kitara. Later, new kingdoms arose in the Great Lakes area, such as Nkore, Mpororo, Buganda, Tooro, Busoga, Bagisu (in present-day Kenya and Uganda), Rwanda, Gisera, Gisaka, Burundi and Bunyoro itself. The kingdom rose to power and controlled a number of the holiest shrines in the region, as well as the lucrative Kibiro saltworks of Lake Mwitanzige. Having the highest quality of metallurgy in the region made it one of the strongest economic and military powers in the Great Lakes region. ^{[9] [10]}

The kingship of Bunyoro is the most important institution in the kingdom. The king is patrilineal meaning that it is passed down through the male line. This tradition comes from a myth the Nyoro people tell. Once there were three sons of the Mukama, all having the same name. In order to name them, the Mukama asked the God to help him. The boys must go through a series of tasks before being named. The three of them had to sit all night holding a pot of milk. Milk is a sacred drink used for important events. Whoever had all their milk still in the pot by morning would be king. The youngest son dropped the milk and begged his older brothers to give him some of theirs, they did. When morning came the eldest son dropped a little more. When God and the Mukama came to observe the pots, the eldest son was named after the peasants who are not fit for cattle herding since he had no milk left. The middle son was named after cattle herders and the youngest son was named Oukama and later Mukama or king for having the most. This myth shows the ways in which the Nyoro infuses religion and kingship together. ^{[11] [12] [13] [14]}

Decline

Bunyoro began to decline in the late eighteenth century due to internal divisions. Buganda seized the Kooki and Buddu regions from Bunyoro at the end of the century. In the 1830s, the large province of Tooro separated, claiming much of the lucrative salt works. To the south Rwanda and Ankole were both growing rapidly, taking over some of the smaller kingdoms that had been Bunyoro's vassals.

Thus by the mid-nineteenth century Bunyoro (also known as Unyoro at the time) was a far smaller state, though it was still wealthy due to the income generated from controlling the lucrative trade routes over Lake Victoria and linking to the coast of the Indian Ocean. In particular, Bunyoro benefited from the trade in ivory. Due to the volatile nature of the ivory trade, an armed struggle developed between the Baganda and the Banyoro. As a result, the capital was moved from Masindi to the less vulnerable Mparo. Following the death of Omakuma Kyebambe III, the region experienced a period of political instability where two kings ruled in a volatile political environment. ^{[15] [16]}

In July 1890 an agreement was settled whereby the entire region north of Lake Victoria was given to Great Britain. In 1894 Great Britain declared the region its protectorate. In alliance with Buganda, King Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro resisted the efforts of Great Britain, aiming to take control of the kingdom. However, in 1899 Omukama Kabalega was captured and exiled to the Seychelles, and Bunyoro was subsequently annexed to the British Empire. Because of Bunyoro's resistance to the British, a portion of the Bunyoro kingdom's territory was given to Buganda and Tooro.

The country was put under the governance of Buganda administrators. The Banyoro revolted in 1907; the revolt was put down, and relations improved somewhat. After the region remained loyal to Great Britain in World War I a new agreement was made in 1933 ^[17] giving the region more autonomy. Bunyoro remains as one of the five constituent kingdoms of Uganda, along with Buganda, Busoga, Rwenzururu, and Tooro. ^{[16] [18]}

Contemporary society

During the first regime of Milton Obote, the Kingdom of Bunyoro initially benefited from regaining the two "lost counties" of Buyaga and Bugangaizi following a 1964 referendum. It was, however, forcefully disbanded in 1967. The kingdom, together with three others, Buganda, Busoga, Tooro, remained banned during the regime of dictator Idi Amin (1971–1979) and the second regime of Milton Obote (1980–1985) ^[19] and remained banned until 1993.

In 1993 ^[20] the Kingdom was re-established and in 1995 the new constitution of Uganda was made, allowing and recognizing the Kingdoms. The current Kingdom covers the districts of Buliisa District, Hoima district, Kibaale District, Kakumiro District, Kagadi District, Kiryandongo District and Masindi District.

According to 1997 projections, the total population of the Kingdom is between 800,000 ^[21] but there may be 1,400,000 (depending on sources) living in 250,000-350,000 households. 96% of the population lives in rural areas, and only 1% of the population uses electricity for lighting and cooking. More than 92% of the population is poor, and earned less than half that of the Ugandan national average, and about 50% of the population is illiterate. ^{[22] [23]}

Culture

Ebikoikyo – Riddles

Here are some of the common riddles in Bunyoro-Kitara. The narrator says Koikoi and the listener responds Rukwebe. Then the narrator says the *first part* of the riddle in the Koikoi column below and the listener gives the answer in the Rukwebe column.

Koikoi	Response/Rukwebe
Akatabonwa	Ihembe l'embwa
Akatabonwa	Enknde ha bugara
Baayata ensi abazimu	Amananuunu g'ebittoke
Banziika ningamba banziikura ningamba	Eharaiga omu mbiso
Egwa Ibanda tekya	Enjura omu byoya by'entaama
Gema engata nkutwale bwalinga	Ekirumbu ky'omuntu
Guruguru masaaniko	Amah embe g'entaama
Ifo aho nasigaho abaserukale	Obukurra
Jugujugu makoora	Oruhu rubisi kurugurukya orugo
Kagote tukaite	Akanaga k'enjara
Kakudu nakudura ikudu	Akahuka ha igufa
Kasiga oburo bwenge buli iboga nagaruka nabusanga buli iboga.	Obwoya bw'ente
Kuba zabaire enjoka zakutumazire.	Ebibazi byenju
Kwamwaija babiri, ondi yaburra ha?	Ekituuru omunju
Nabinga akasoro kange kaaburra hanu	Obisinde haibaale
Ndagurra busa tingira itima	Ekijunjuuzi harwakyo
Ngenda ninsikya ngaruka ninsikya.	Omukira gw'embwa
Ngenda nyenkya ngaruka rwebagyo	Orwigi rw'enju
Nkagiita nagibohesa amaragaayo	Ebika ky'obunyansi
Nkaleta enkulingo yange naginaga ha humugongo abaana baleka kuzaana	Enjara
Nkalima omusiri gwange tingurukya kataka	lguru n'ensi
Nkarugirayo kimu tinkagarukayoga	Akakoora k'omuti
Nkatema omwigo gwange nalemwa kugugorra.	Omuhanda gw'omubitooke
Nkazaara Abaana bange babiri omu myogya ondi timwogya, baitu atooga nuwe asemera.	Ekitooke n'ekitembe
Nkazaara Abaana bange baikarra ekitebe kime.	Amatehe
Nkazaara Abaana bange obunyija kubateera mbaterra hamu.	Abijonj oro by'ebisisi
Nkazaara Abaana boona mbajweka embugo itukura	Engorogorro z'ebitooke
Nkombeke enjo yange, emiryango yayo Magana.	Ekibira
Nkweserekeriire	Omukaro kimuga
Ojwale nkutume okuzumi	Entonge mumiro
Oleega antaarwa totaaha?	Ensohera ibaagiro
Omuguha guboha amaizi.	Oburo
Omukama yanttuna ekintalibona.	Ihembe ly'embwa
Tema ekibira nkwoleke omuhanda	Ekiswa ky'obutuzi
Terebu na terebu	Obune rubabi
Tikuli kurubata kunu kudalira	Akahuka igufa.
Tundubata ndaalira	Akanyapimpina ha rubabi
Twina engabu itajuna.	Amatu
Yema nseeri nynte nseeri tuhungurrengane.	Ebirundi by'omubwiga
Zakuuka nizeera amaguru	Ebiihiro by'engaaga
Ziringiti na ziringiti	Ekiteeko

Abakama (Kings) of Bunyoro-Kitara

	Dynasty	King/Omukama	Clan	Father	Mother	Mother's Clan	Reign	Burial Place
1	Babiito (Reign of the Kings)	Isingoma Rukidi I Mpuuga Kyeramaino	Babiito	Kyomya	Nywatoro	Bakwonga	early 1400	Dyangi(Bukidi/gulu), garments (masaijagaka-Chope)
2		Ocaki I Rwangirra	Babiito	Rukidi I	Iremera	Balisa	early 1400, 9 years	Irangara, garments(Karara) Bugangaizi)
3		Oyo I Nyimba Kabamba Iguru	Babiito	Rukidi I	Iremera	Balisa	mid 1400	Kinogozi-Buruli, garments(Kigaju-Kuhukya)
4		Winyi I Rubembeka Ntara	Babiito	Oyo I	Nyaraki	Bakwonga	late 1400	Kiburara, Isingo/Rugonjo/Ssingo
5		Olimi I Rwitamahanga	Babiito	Winyi I	Nyagiro	Banywagi	early 1500	Kalimbi-Mutuba II, Isingo/Rugonjo/Ssingo
6		Nyabongo I chwa Relemu	Babiito	Olimi I	Unknown	Muchwa	mid 1500	Muyenje, garments(Busesa in Buyaga)
7		Winyi II Rubagiramasega	Babiito	Nyabongo I	Unknown	Balisa	mid 1500	Lapenje, Isingo/Rugonjo/Ssingo
8		Olimi II Ruhundwangeye	Babiito	Winyi II	Unknown	Bakwonga	late 1500	Burongo, Isingo/Rugonjo/Ssingo
9		Nyarwa I Omuzarra Kyaro	Babiito	Olimi II	Runengo	Bagweri	late 1500/early 1600	Kyaka - Toro
10		Chwa I Ente Nkole Rumoma Mahanga	Babiito	Nyarwa I	Runengo	Bagweri	early 1600	Rwanda
11		Omujwera(Princess) Masamba Ga Winyi	Babiito	Winyi II	Unknown	Bakwonga	early 1600, 5 years	Rwembuba, Bugangaizi
12		Kyebambe I Omuziikya	Babiito	Chwa I	Ihembe	Babiito	early 1600	Kijaguzo, Nyakabimba-Toro
13		Winyi III Ruguruka Macolya	Babiito	Kyembabe I	Gawa	Bakwonga	mid 1600	Miduma, Buruli- Masindi
14		Nyaika I Omuragwa Macolya	Babiito	Winyi III	Unknown	Unknown	late 1600	Kihwera, Bujenje
15		Kyebambe II Bikaju	Babiito	Winyi III	Kacubya	Unknown	late 1600/early 1700	Nyamiryango, kihukya Saza
16		Olimi III Isansa	Babiito	Kyembabe II	Mpanga Omwangamwoyo	Babiito	1710-1731, 21 years	Kiguhyo-Buyaga, garments in Buhonda Bugangaizi
17		Duhaga I Mujwiga	Babiito	Olimi III	Kindiki	Basaigi	1731-1782, 51 years	Irangarra Muytba III, Bugangaizi
18		Olimi IV Kasoma	Babiito	Duhaga I	Unknown	Muchwa	1782-1786, 4 years	Ruhunga - Mumyoka, Buhaguzi
19		Kyebambe III Nyamutukura	Babiito	Olimi IV	Kafunda	Bachwa	1786 - 1835, 49 years	Kibedi-Nyamanunda, Buyaga
20		Nyabongo II Mugenyi Biranga	Babiito	Kyebamabe III	Kajaja	Bafunjo	1835 - 1848, 13 years	Bukonda Sabagabo - Buyaga, garments in Kitonzei, Mutuba I
21		Olimi IV Rwakabale	Babiito	Nyabongo II	Unknown	Bazira	1848 - 1852, 4 years	Kitonya, Mutuba III, Buyaga
22		Kyabambe IV Kamurasi	Babiito	Nyabongo II	Unknown	Unknown	1852 - 1869, 17 years	Busibika Ngangi, Buyanja
23		Chwa II Kabaleega Yokana	Babiito	Kamurasi	Kenyange Nyamutahingurwa	Abayonza	1870 - 1899, 29 years	Mparo, Hoima
24		Kitahimbwa I Karukara Yosia	Babiito	Chwa II Kabaleega	Maliza Mukakyabara Bagaaya Akiiki	Babiito	1898-1902, 4 years	Nyareweyo, Bugagaizi
25		Duhaga II Bisereko Andereya	Babiito	Chwa II Kabaleega	Maliza Mukakyabara Bagaaya Akiiki	Babiito	1902-1924, 22 years	Kinogozi, Buhimba-Hoima
26		Winyi IV, Tito Gafabusa	Babiito	Chwa II Kabaleega	Maliza Mukakyabara Bagaaya Akiiki	Babiito	1925-1967, 42 years	Mparo, Hoima
27		Iguru I, Solomon Gafabusa	Babiito	Winyi IV	Getrude Gafabusa Komweru Ateenyi	Babiito	1994–present	N/A

• • • The earlier dates as estimated using:

Babiito. Biharwe full moon eclipse that happened in 1520 AD when Omukama Olimi ImRwitamahanga was on expedition from Rwanda and Ankole.

• • • Meaning of some of the Titles/Names of the Kings.

1. Rukidi or kidi - means a stone
2. Ocaki - Let's Start
3. Oyo - Rat
4. Winyi - Listen
5. Olimi - Visit you
6. Kyebambe - usurper
7. Chwa - cutter

Relations

The Banyoro were traditionally a polygamous people when they could afford it. Many marriages did not last and it was quite common to be divorced. Due to this, payment to the girl's family was not normally given until after several years of marriage. Premarital sex was also very common.

All families were ruled by the eldest man of the family (called Nyineka), and the village was run by a specially elected elder who was chosen by all the elders in the village. He was known as a mukuru w’omugongo.

Birth

A few months after birth, the baby would be given a name. This was normally done by a close relative, but the father always had the final say. Two names are given: a personal name, and a traditional Empaako name. The names were often related to specific features on the child, special circumstances in the birth of the child or as a way to honor a former family member. Most of the names are actual words of the Nyoro language and some are etymologically Luo language words. The Empaako or Mpako names include Okaali (for Kings only); Apuuli, Acaali, Araali and Bbala (for males only) and Adyeeri, Abooki, Abwooli, Amooti, Ateenyi, Atwooki and Akiiki, which can be used for both males and females. (Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki, E. D. -Engabu za Tooro). (Mi pako or M'pako in Luo language, would mean of honour/in honour of, therefore, Empaako or Mpaako/Mpako is a title of Honour, even in Luo.^{[ citation needed ]}

Death

Death was almost always believed to be the work of evil magic, ghosts, or similar. Gossiping was believed to magically affect or harm people. Death was viewed as being a real being. When a person died, the oldest woman of the household would clean the body, cut the hair and beard, and close the eyes of the departed. The body was left for viewing and the women and children were allowed to cry/weep, but the men were not. In case the dead was the head of the household, a mixture of grain (called ensigosigo) was put in his hand, and his children had to take a small part of the grain and eat it - thus passing on his (magical) powers.

After one or two days, the body would be wrapped in cloth and a series of rites would be carried out. The following rites are only for heads of family: ^[24]

• The nephew must take down the central pole of the hut and throw it in the middle of the compound
• The nephew would also take the bow and eating-bowl of the departed and throw it with the pole
• The fireplace in the hut would be extinguished
• A banana plant from the family plantation and a pot of water was also added to the pile
• The family rooster had to be caught and killed
• The main bull of the family's cattle had to be prevented from mating during the mourning by castration
• After four days of mourning, the bull would be killed and eaten, thus ending the period of mourning
• The house of the departed would not be used again

The burial would not be done in the middle of the day, as it was considered dangerous for the sun to shine directly into the grave. As the body was carried to the grave the women were required to moderate their weeping, and it was forbidden to weep at the grave. Also pregnant women were banned from participating in the funeral as it was believed the negative magical forces related to burial would be too strong for the unborn child to survive. After the burial the family would cut some of their hair off and put it onto the grave. After the burial, all participants washed themselves thoroughly, as it was believed that the negative magical forces could harm crops.

If the departed had a grudge or other unfinished business with another family, his mouth and anus would be stuffed with clay, to prevent the ghost from haunting.^{[ citation needed ]}

A Bunyoro Year

Periodicity/Calendar (Obusumi) in Bunyoro-Kitara

A study of the periodicity of Kitara's markets must concept of the obusumi (calendar or time). It resembles European calendar, but is tied up with the motions of the moon and other heavenly bodies. For example, from the appearance of a new moon to the appearance of the next one constituted a month. This month is roughly thirty days.

This twelve-month obusumi year is divided into Isambya and the Irumbi. The Isambya lasts from Igesa(January) to Rwenkonzi (June). These may be described as summer months.

Irumbi lasts from Isenyamaro (July) to Nyamiganuro-Kyanda (December) and is equivalent to the autumn.

The Irumbi is further divided into two equal parts: kyanda (dry season) December to January, and Itumba (rainy season between September and November, during which rainfall is sufficient to enable weeds, crops, and grass to grow).

The Isambya is also divided into two equal parts: the Kasambura, is a dry season between June and August which is the harvesting period; and the Itoigo, rainy season which is between March and May, which is also a planting period.

Each of the twelve month of the year has its own name, determined by the cycle of production. Example,

• Igesa means the period for harvesting millet and beans,
• Ijubyamiyonga-Bwanswa(March) signifies the month when rains begin after harvesting.
• Machanda (April), is the month when simsim is sown/planted;
• Isiga(September), when crops (e.g. millet) are sown/planted; the word Isiga means sowing.
• ijuba or Kacungiramweru(October) is the weeding month,
• Rwensenene is the month when grasshoppers are harvested.
• Nyamiganura if a period of harvesting
• Rwenkonzi – comes from enkonzikonzi, a type of grass used for brooms, Rwenkonzi is a place full of these grass plants
• Nyamujuna – literally means savior, this month is when crops start to yield before harvesting begins hence meaning we have been saved
• Kayaga – the windy month
• Kukokooba – is to prepare the garden by removing grass, usually by burning it

See also

• Isingoma Labongo Rukidi

References

1. Briggs, Philip; Roberts, Andrew (2007). Uganda. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 10. ISBN   978-1-84162-182-1. At its peak in the 17th century, Bunyoro covered an area of roughly 80,000km² south and west of the Nile and Lake Victoria.
2. Stokes, Jamie (2009). Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East, Volume 1. Infobase Publishing. pp. 506–509.
3. "AfriWetu Ep16 - Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom - African Civilisation Series by AfriWetu".
4. Facts about the Kingdom, https://www.scribd.com/doc/35682709/2010-01-21-Bunyoro-Kitara-Kingdom-General-Information
5. "Culture and Traditions". Kabalega Foundation. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
6. "AFRICA | 101 Last Tribes - Bunyoro people". www.101lasttribes.com. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
7. Mwambutsya, Ndebesa, "Pre-capitalist Social Formation: The Case of the Banyankole of Southwestern Uganda. Archived 2008-03-01 at the Wayback Machine " Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review 6, no. 2; 7, no. 1 (June 1990 and January 1991): 78-95
8. Uzoigwe, GN (1973). "Succession and Civil War in Bunyoro - Kitara". The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 6 (1): 49–71. doi:10.2307/216973. JSTOR   216973.
9. "THE BANYORO Culture | Uganda Travel Guide". 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
10. petnah (2020-04-24). "The banyoro culture - banyoro tribe ,uganda tribes and culture". petnah. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
11. "Empire of Kitara: One of the oldest African Empires that existed since 900 AD to date". Theafricanhistory.com. 2 May 2021.
12. Davies, J. N. P. (January 1959). "The development of scientific medicine in the African Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara". Medical History. 3 (1): 47–57. doi:10.1017/s0025727300024248. PMC   1034446 . PMID   13632207.
13. Cesarean Section – A Brief History(2008). National Library of Medicine, part 2
14. "Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom - Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom (Rep. Uganda) - The most powerful Kingdom in East Africa!". www.bunyoro-kitara.org. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
15. Briggs, Philip (2007). Uganda, 5th: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 11–14.
16. Doyle, Shane (2006). Crisis & decline in Bunyoro : population & environment in western Uganda 1860-1955. London Oxford Kampala Athens, Ohio: British Institute in Eastern Africa in association with James Currey Fountain Publishers Ohio University Press. ISBN   978-0-8214-1634-1.
17. https://kituochakatiba.org/sites/default/files/legal-resources/THE%20BUNYORO%20AGREEMENT%201933.pdf The Bunyoro Agreement 1933
18. Doyle, Shane (2000). "Population Decline and Delayed Recovery in Bunyoro, 1860-1960". The Journal of African History. 41 (3): 429–458. doi:10.1017/S0021853700007751. ISSN   0021-8537. JSTOR   183476. S2CID   162522723.
19. "Uganda Constitution of 1967". Archived from the original on 2010-09-03. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
20. Traditional Rulers (Restitution of Assets and Properties) Act 1993 Archived 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
21. Archived 2009-12-18 at the Wayback Machine 1997 projections. No current number exists
22. Uzoigwe, G. N. (1972). "Precolonial Markets in Bunyoro-Kitara". Comparative Studies in Society and History. 14 (4): 422–455. doi:10.1017/S0010417500006794. ISSN   0010-4175. JSTOR   178036. S2CID   145160791.
23. "Banyoro | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
24. "Uganda Culture and People: The Banyoro, Political Setup, Household and Social Setup, Economy, Marriage". Archived from the original on 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2010-10-10.

External links

• The National University of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom
• Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom
• Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom NGO.
• Royal Coat of Arms of Bunyoro-Kitara Archived 2020-01-24 at the Wayback Machine
• More on the Bunyoro Culture