Isingoma Labongo Rukidi

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Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi
Omukama of Bunyoro
Reignc. 16th century
SuccessorOchaki Rwangira
BornBukidi (Lango sub-region)
Burial
Dyangi [a]
SpousesIremera; Bunono
House Biito dynasty
FatherKyomya
MotherNyatworo

Isingoma Rukidi Mpuga, also called Labongo, [2] [b] was the first Biito king (Omukama Omubiito) of Bunyoro-Kitara in present-day western Uganda. [3] In Nyoro tradition, he is considered to be the twin brother of Kato Kimera, the first king of Buganda. [4]

Contents

Early life

Nyoro tradition

In Nyoro tradition, Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi was born in Bukidi as the second son of Kyomya, a member of the Chwezi dynasty, and Nyatworo, the daughter of a Lango man called Labongo, [c] of the Mukwonga clan. He was the younger brother of Nyarwa, the twin brother of Kato and the older brother of Kiiza. [5] Isingoma is derived from the Nyoro phrase ise-ngoma, meaning "father (of the) drum(s)". [6] 'Mpuga' comes from the name of a black-and-white cattle, empuuga, referencing Rukidi's mixed ancestry. [7] [8] The name 'Rukidi' references his birthplace. [9]

Rukidi and his brothers are said to have been hunters who were loved by the people of Bukidi. [10] [9] One day, a diviner called Nyakoka [d] , also from Bukidi, approached them and told them to go to Kitara, because then the country lacked a king, and they did so. [7] Nyakoka accompanied them on the journey. [11] [12]

Acholi tradition

In Acholi tradition, Labongo was a son of Olum and a brother of Gipiir and Tiful. [13]

References

Notes

  1. John Nyakatura adds that Rukidi's garments were buried in Masaijagaka, Chope. [1]
  2. also spelt Labong'o
  3. Not to be confused with Rukidi himself, who is also called Labongo in some sources.
  4. also spelt Nyakoko

Citations

  1. Nyakatura 1973, p. 66.
  2. Ogot 1967, p. 59.
  3. Beattie 1971, pp. 52–53.
  4. Beattie 1960, p. 15.
  5. Nyakatura 1973, pp. 24, 50.
  6. Apuuli 1994, chapter 3.
  7. 1 2 Beattie 1971, p. 52.
  8. Wrigley 2012, p. 225.
  9. 1 2 Nyakatura 1973, p. 50.
  10. Fisher 1911, p. 111.
  11. Nyakatura 1973, p. 52.
  12. Fisher 1911, p. 112.
  13. Jendia 2019, p. 17.

Sources

  • Fisher, Ruth Alice (1911). Twilight Tales of the Black Baganda. London: Marshall Brothers, Ltd.
  • Beattie, John (1960). Bunyoro: An African Kingdom. Holt, Rinehart and Winston. ISBN   978-0305246525.{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  • Ogot, Bethwell A. (1967). History of the Southern Luo. Vol. 1. East African Publishing House.
  • Beattie, John (1971). The Nyoro State. Oxford University Press. ISBN   9780198231714.
  • Nyakatura, John W. (1973). Uzoigwe, Godfrey N. (ed.). Anatomy of an African Kingdom: A History of Bunyoro-Kitara (PDF). Translated by Muganwa, Teopista (English ed.). New York City, New York, USA: NOK Publishers, Ltd. ISBN   0-88357-025-4.
  • Apuuli, David Hihumuro (1994). A Thousand Years of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom - The People and the Rulers. Fountain Publishers.
  • Wrigley, C.C. (2012). "The Story of Rukidi". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 43 (3): 219–235.
  • Jendia, Catherine (2019). "The cultural factor in conflict management/resolution: A case study of the Acholi of Northern Uganda". African Journal of History and Culture. 11 (2): 15–25.