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Every Muganda person must belong to one of more than 52 clans of Baganda. A Muganda is therefore expected to know his or her paternal clan (and Totem) as well has his or her maternal clan. As part of one's formal introduction or greeting (especially at traditional ceremonies), one must be able to say their last name (surname), their father's surname, their paternal grandfather's name, their mother's clan, their clan Totem and clan motto or slogan (Omubala) and finally their lineage in terms of the Akasolya, Ssiga, Mutuba, Lunyiriri and Nnyumba or Nju (House). This is generally called okutambula ng'Omuganda ("narrating your lineage Luganda).
The clans are social units and in the past were political units as well.
The Baganda has over 50 organized clans (Ebika)that serves as a foundation of social , cultural and political organization with members tracing their ancestry to a common ancestor. The Kabaka also known as (Ssaabataka) is the chief of the patriarch also called (Abataka). Each clan has a hierarchical structure. The helm of this clan [hierarchy] is called Akasolya. So the [Baganda] are organized roughly over 50 helms (Obusolya). Akasolya is the singular form of Obusolya. Each Clan has a designated leader known as Ow'akasolya. Each helm (or Kasolya) has several units called Amasiga (or pillars in English), headed by Ow'essiga. Essiga is singular form of Amasiga. Under each Ssiga are several units called Ennyiriri, headed by Ow'olunyiriri. Olunyiriri is the singular form of Ennyiriri. Below the lunyiriri are several units called Emituba, headed by Ow'omutuba. Omutuba is singular form of Emituba. Under each Mutuba are several units called Enzigya, headed by Ow'oluggya. Oluggya is singular form of Enzigya. The Luggya is the level of the paternal grandfather (of the family). Below the luggya are several units called Ennyumba (Houses) or Enju, headed by Ow'ennyumba (Ennyumba is singular form of Ennyumba). The House is essentially the nuclear family and is headed by a father ,In case he is late, then it's headed by his heir (always a biological male). For instance, the members of Mr. Nsubuga's nuclear family would be called Ab'enju ya Mwami Nsubuga if he is alive or Ab'enju y'Omugenzi Nsubuga if he's deceased. Omugenzi is the Luganda word for "The Late or deceased".
Political Unit
Represented at Kabaka's court (King's court). Location of the clan's seat (Obutaka) and/or land. Responsibilities of the clan at the Kabaka's palace (Lubiri).
Social Unit
Represented in Lukiiko (cultural unit). Clan head (Omutaka)
Culture
Totems
[Totem]Each clan is identified by a specific animal or plant totem, symbolizing ancestry and revered by clan members.This is categorized into two .
1.(Omuziro) also known as the primary totem representing a specific clan . 2. Secondary Totem (Akabbiro).The Akabbiro serves as a secondary identifier, and both are taboo for clan members to eat or harm. These totems help define lineage and prevent intermarriages. The Akabbiro is a secondary taboo, similar to the main totem (Omuziro), and reinforces the identity of a particular clan.
Names
Every Muganda must belong to a clan (Ekika).[1][2]
This is usually his or her father's clan. The only exception to this is the Kabaka (King) who belongs to the mother's clan. This ensures that every clan has a chance to produce the next Kabaka(King). Names of Baganda vary depending on one's biological gender (male or female).
Therefore, each clan will have a list of at least 20 boys' surnames and 20 girls' surnames from which one can pick a surname.[3] Therefore, one's surname (last name) will give a clue to which clan they belong as well as their biological gender. The exceptions to this are a woman's married name (which she inherits from her husband) as well as unique names given to twins and their immediate siblings or Royals (first born sons and first born daughters).
For instance, the name Nsubuga is given to a male from the Mmamba Gabunga clan and the name Nansubuga is given to a female from the Mmamba Gabunga clan.
Also a "naturalized" Muganda person must pick a clan to belong to and therefore a surname or last name belonging to that clan.
Marriage
All members of a clan are believed to have a common ancestor. This means that they are siblings if they are from the same generation (roughly same age) or can be considered parents or children if they are from different generations, and so it's taboo for them to marry each other. They are therefore expected to marry someone from another clan, clan Exogamy, (or tribe or nationality as long as they are not a Muganda of the same clan). This has even been held up in a court of law (i.e. there's a precedent in law) in the famous case of Bruno L. Kiwawu vs Ivan Serunkuma and Juliet Namazzi in May 2007.[4] All three people involved, the girl's father, Kiwawu, the "boy", Sserunkuuma and the "girl", Namazzi belong to the same clan, the Ndiga (Sheep) clan. A few exceptions exist especially among the members of the large Mmamba clan. On occasion, these have been known to intermarry. This taboo on marrying someone who belongs to the same clan as you normally supersedes religious, national and international marriage laws.
Inheritance
The " heir" (Omusika in Luganda)a vital, traditionally male figure chosen to represent the deceased, manage family affairs, and inherit the spiritual responsibility of the lineage, often confirmed during the final funeral ritesalso known as (Okwabya olumbe). He is usually chosen by family elders or by a will left by the deceased , wrapped in bark cloth (L
ubugo), and given a spear, in a household headed by a single mother or a widow, the family property is not owned by the cultural heir. Among the Baganda, a [Heir apparent|heiress] is a biological female who inherits the cultural position of a deceased woman (i.e. sister or mother). In ancient times, this heiress, if she were single, could become the widower's wife as it was assumed that she would love her deceased sister's children as if they were her own.
Cultural Taboos
in Buganda (Baganda culture) are strictly observed social, dietary, and traditional regulations, often rooted in clan, gender, or, spiritual beliefs. Key taboos include strict prohibition of same-clan marriage (except the Mamba clan), restrictions on women eating certain foods like chicken and eggs, and strict etiquette regarding seating, greeting, and dress codes. .
The members of a clan cannot eat or harm their totem animal, plant or thing. For example a member of the Mmamba (Lungfish) clan is forbidden from consuming a Lungfish. However, members of other clans do eat Lungfish.
Members of the same clan cannot marry each other. So a male from the Ffumbe clan cannot marry a female from the Ffumbe clan.
Legal Issues
A cultural court called Ekkooti ya Kisekwa (Kisekwa's court), handles disputes including those among the clans or member of the clan. For instance, disputes related to who becomes the next clan head (Omutaka) when the previous one dies or becomes incapacitated. The title of the head of this court is Kisekwa.
If someone is not satisfied with the court's ruling, then they can appeal all the way up to the Kabaka who is the final arbiter of cases coming out of this court.
Below Kisekwa's court are usually sub section courts at the Ssiga and at times Lunyiriri and Mutuba levels. At each one of these levels, a cultural court's decision can be appealed to the higher level.
Although these courts have some power. Ultimate judicial power lies with the Judiciary of the country. In Uganda's case, that would be the Magistrate's court, High court, etc. From time to time, one who is not satisfied by the cultural courts will sue in a national high court.
Nnakinsige (Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) or brown grass finch)
Ndiga (Sheep)
Ndiisa (lark)
Ngabi Nnyunga (Bushbuck)
Ngabi Nsamba (Antelope)
Ngeye (Colobus Monkey)
Ngo (Leopard)
Njaza (Bohor Reedbuck)
Njobe (Marshbuck Sitatunga Antelope)
Njovu (Elephant)
Nkebuka (Excrement)
Nkejje (Sprat)
Nkerebwe (African Bush Squirrel)
Nkima (Vervet Monkey)
Nkula (Rhinoceros)
Nkusu (African Parrot)
Nnamuŋŋoona (Pied Crow)
Nnyonyi Nnyange (Cattle Egret)
Nseenene (Ruspolia differens, nipidula)
Nsuma (Snout Fish)
Nsunu (Uganda Kob)
Nswaswa (Monitor Lizard)
Ntalaganya (Blue Duiker)
Nte (Ente Eteriiko Mukira oba Enkunku (The tailless Cow ))
Nvubu (Hippopotamus)
Nvuma (underwater spiky seed)
Ŋŋaali (Ngaali) (Crested Crane)
Ŋŋonge (Ngonge) (Otter)
Nnansangwa (Original Clans)
The oldest clans trace their lineage to Bakiranze Kivebulaya, who is supposed to have ruled in the region from about 400 AD until about 1300 AD. These seven clans are referred to as the Nansangwa, or the indigenous:[5]
The Abalasangeye dynasty came to power through the conquests of Kabaka of Buganda ssekabaka Kintu,[6][7][8][9] which are estimated to have occurred sometime between 1200 and 1400 AD.[10][11][12][13]
The descendants of the Basimba people (also known as Bashimba) which is a Bisa and Ambo nickname of the Clan of the leopards, the bena Ngo in Zambia, who settled at Mpogo, Sironko District, are among the Ngo Clan group that come along with Kabaka Kato Kintu in his immigration.
Kato Kimera migration
Around 1370 AD another wave of immigration began, assisted by Kabaka Kimera,[14] who was the son of Omulangira Kalemeera. Kabaka Kimera was born in Kibulala, and returned to Buganda with Jjumba of the Nkima clan and other Buganda elders.
12Kiingi, K (2009). Enkuluze ya Oluganda eya e Makerere[Makerere Luganda Dictionary] (in Ganda) (2nded.). Kampala: Fountain Publishers. p.92. ISBN978-9970-02-613-5.
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