Friday 12 April 2019

THE BATORO AND THEIR UNIQUE CULTURES



Every traditional kingdom in Uganda holds unique culture or history and so is the Toro kingdom. For a few who have been to this particular part of Uganda, they can testify that Toro kingdom is truly endowed with beauty. Many know it for its beautiful and humble women but cultural wise, it is equally worth exploring while you are on Uganda cultural safari. Toro Kingdom is one of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms and it is set in the western part of the country. It formed part of the expansive Kitara at the time of Bito dynasty dating 16th century. It is believed that Prince Olimi Kaboyo Kasunsunkwanzi-the son of King of Bunyoro Kingdom added the southern province of his father’s kingdom and declared himself king of Toro. He was warmly welcomed by the Batooro. The new kingdom thrived the early years of its infancy.

Toro monarchy was however abolished in 1967 by the government of Uganda at the time. It was reinstated in 1993 and currently, it led by King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba. Omukama is a name given to rulers of Toro. Originally, the ancient kings were mainly those of the Batembuzi dynasty. The word Batembuzi denotes pioneers. Toro kingdom was established around 1830 during the reign of Omukama Kaboyo Olimi the first-the eldest son of Omukama Nyamutukura Kyebambe the 3rd of Bunyoro who rebelled and founded his own independent kingdom.

The people of Toro
The people of Toro are called Batooro and Mutooro for one person. They speak Rutooro and they are endowed culturally with distinct customs. Children are taught to respect and value their elders. The Batooro mainly live around Kabarole and Kasese district. These areas have been infiltrated by migrants from other parts of Uganda especially the Bakiga. However, the Batooro society was stratified into Bahuma and Bairu. The relationship between the 2 was more of a caste than class differentiation. The Bahuma were mainly pastoralists whereas the Bairu were agriculturalists. Socially and economically, there was a symbolic relationship between the 2 in that the Bairu could get meat, hides, milk and other products from the Bahuma and the Bahuma on the other hand could get beer and other farm products.

Each Mutooro child born becomes a member of Batooro tribe and besides the family names, pet names are given. The criteria for naming children in Batooro is a bit rare in that the Kitooro names given to children must hold meaning. In other words, the names should have something to denote especially with the prevailing conditions surrounding the birth of the child being named. The names may reflect important event that was occurring at the time of child’s birth. The standard names for twins and children following thereafter, also do exist. The names are selected by the family elders who sits around a good meal, sipping some local brew and informally choose a name for a new born baby.

This normally occurs when the baby is like 4 days for males and 3 days for females. The tradition of giving children religious names in addition to traditional name began when Christianity and Islam was introduced in the late 19th century.

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