Thanks to Baganda, we have kanzus, kwanjula

To mark 50 years of Uganda’s independence, New Vision will, until October 9, 2012, be publishing highlights of events and pro ling personalities who have shaped the history of this country. Today, JOSEPH BATTE looks at the in uence that Buganda has had on the development of especially commerce and culture in Uganda from the time of imperialism to date

 

When one culture comes into contact with another, a lot of things happen. Oftentimes, there is a culture clash. The contact can lead to assimilation, rejection, or a merger of elements from both cultures.

 

In Uganda, no tribe has influenced others like the Baganda. The impact of their culture on the course of Ugandan history has been dramatic and, in some cases, even unexpected. From the name of the country to the language used in business in almost all urban centres to today’s traditional marriage ceremonies, the infl uence of this ethnic group cannot be ignored. 

 

Nobody has successfully ruled Uganda without a strong alliance with Buganda. Buganda’s infl uence dates back to colonial days or even earlier. Thanks partly to the British military ally, Semei Kakungulu (1869 - 1928).

 

The encounters between Kakungulu, his people and other societies in the country, especially in eastern Uganda, resulted in the spread of religions, culture and Luganda. Today, Luganda is one of the widely spoken languages in the country.

 

Looking for evidence? Go to Mbale. ‘Mulembe’ the most famous form of greeting for the Bamasaba, was introduced by Kakungulu and his chiefs. It comes from mirembe (peace), found in eradde…. mirembe…..an old form of Baganda greeting that is still in use today.

 

Initially the Bagisu greeted with Wenayo and the response was the same Wenayo.

 

Since Kakungulu’s time, Luganda has become one of the most widely used languages in the town. Take a stroll on the streets of Mbale. Despite the poor intonation, you could easily think you are in Gomba.

 

Yes, the Luganda spoken in Mbale, especially by the Bamasaba from the south, is ‘lame’ because they have always had problems with consonants — letter ‘d’ is pronounced as ‘t’ while ‘v’ is pronounced ‘f’, but you can tell it is Luganda.

 

I will never forget the day a Mig 21 jet fi ghter fl ew over Mbale town. As it thundered across the sky, a frightened Mugisu from the south cried: “Ese mbate ndowosa nti eyo pomu efa Kambala” (I thought that was a bomb from Kampala). 

 

The right way to put it in Luganda would have been: “Nze mbade ndowooza nti eyo bbomu eva Kampala.” While in the town you will not only listen to Luganda being spoken on the streets, but you will also hear Luganda music blasting over the air waves.

 

Sports shows are also mostly presented in Luganda. Language aside, Buganda’s infl uence over the Bamasaba is also traced in the names of places surrounding Mbale town. 

 

These are Bugema on Tororo Road, Busajjabwankuba on Soroti Road, Gangama, Bujolooto, Namakwekwe, Munkaaga, Busamaga, Nabweya and Mt.Nkokonjeru (now Mt. Wanale), among others.

 

Mbale’s most famous football team, Gangama, that produced players like Paul Hasule, Peter Wandyete, Charles ‘Kalayilayi’ Namakola and Geofrey Higenyi was started by the Baganda. The team’s name was later changed to Mbale Heroes.

 

Besides the language, the Baganda were also responsible for the spread of major religions, such as Christianity and Islam. For many years the main service, especially in the Anglican Church, was conducted in Luganda. Hymns were also sung in Luganda.

 

The introduction of Islam in Bunyoli, where Luganda is also widely spoken, is attributed to a Muganda called Nuhu Mbogo, so is the introduction of matooke to the Banyoli, whose staple food has always been millet bread.

 

From Mbale, hop on the next taxi to Tororo and listen to the Jopadhola speak, you will be surprised by Luganda words like kale which is Luganda for okay, weraaba (goodbye) and lukiiko (meeting, council or gathering) that are littered in Dhapadhola , a Luo dialect.

 

Assume you bump into a Japadhola who is hurrying to a meeting. If you asked them where they were heading, the correct reply in Dhapadhola should be, but today you are more likely to hear a Japadhola say akidho kikiika! ‘Kikiika’ is the equivalent of the Luganda word lukiiko!

 

Luganda can also be found in far-fl ung places in the country like Karamoja, where you will not only hear it in the streets and market, but also in video halls that show movies voiced over in Luganda by Baganda video jockeys like VJ Junior and VJ Jingo. Baganda traders have also helped spread the language. Where there is trade in Uganda, you will hear the language being spoken.

 

Paidha in West Nile is one of the best examples. Baganda traders were attracted to the place by the abundant coffee, timber and beans that grow in the area. Eager to do business with the Baganda, Alur farmers were obliged to learn the language.

 

Today Luganda is spoken in Paidha alongside Alur (Okoro dialect) and Kiswahili. Buganda infl uence has also been through popular music, to the extent that non-Baganda artiste think that in order to hit the charts, one has to sing in Luganda. 

 

Thanks to Bukedde TV, the latest Buganda culture to infl uence other tribes in the country is the colourful traditional marriage ceremony called Okwanjula, where the bridegroom is introduced and the appropriate bride wealth, which are gifts given before the girl is handed over in marriage. 

 

The gifts, which include kanzus (tunics) and gomesis, which are now considered Uganda’s national dress.  Lastly, it was the mispronunciation of the noun ‘Buganda’ by the Arab slave traders of the 19th century (they pronounced it as Wuganda) that gave birth to ‘Uganda’, the name of this beautiful landlocked country.