CULTURAL PRACTICES IN UGANDA-CULTURAL SAFARIS UGANDA

Known for its cultural diversity, Uganda boasts of its unique cultural heritage. Cultural safaris in Uganda involves you exploring and experiencing authentic cultural practices, norms, dances, music performances and also have rewarding interaction with the local residents. Cultural practices in Uganda vary depending on the region and remarkably, Kingdoms and different leaders have collectively committed themselves to ensure these practices, traditions, norms are maintained offering visitors with authentic cultural safari experiences.

Traditional dance

Kingdoms/Chiefdoms in Uganda and their leaders-cultural safaris Uganda

Cultural practices in Uganda: The different Kingdoms/Chiefdoms in Uganda which embody the country’s distinct cultures include Buganda, Toro, Bunyoro, Busoga and others. Every Kingdom is headed by cultural leader and they are regulated by the set rules while in the public.

Buganda Kingdom is led by the Kabaka and the inhabitants are wide spread in different groups and accompanied by totems. Traditions and cultures are passed on from one generation to another. Clans follow the hierarchical system and a group chief also known as Owakasolya is called Ssiga, Lunyiriri or Mutuba. Clans are identified by their totems also called Omuziro and the second totem is called Akabbiro and it is only the Princes and Queen without totems.

On meeting the King, ladies are supposed to kneel and men have to lie down. This is sign of respect for the King. Unlike Baganda, the Ankole don’t kneel down when greeting. The traditional attire to wear when it comes to ceremonies is usually Kanzus for the Men and Women put on Gomesi.

In Busoga, the kingship covers the 7 political districts; Iganga, Bugiri, Mayuge, Busiki, Jinja, Kaliro and Kamuli. Basoga consider Lumonde as their principal food.

Traditional dances by tribe in Uganda

Baganda dance

Cultural safaris in Buganda. In Buganda, Bakisimbi, Nankasa and Muwogola are the 3 unique and inspirational dances practiced by Baganda. These are also best known as social gathering dances in Buganda Kingdom and Amaggunju dance is a royal dance whereas the Mbaga dance is a wedding dance for Baganda people.

Basoga traditional dance

Cultural practices in Uganda; The traditional dance for Basoga on the other hand is Tamena Ibuga-usually best known as a harvest celebration dance in Busoga region, Eastern Uganda. However, during the royal celebrations, Basoga perform the Bigwala dance.

Bagisu dance

The Bagisu who are also popular as the Bamasaaba are known for their traditional male circumcision practices and normally, it is accompanied by Imbalu dance.

Iteso dance

Akogo is a courtship dance performed by the Iteso who are also inhabitants in Eastern Uganda. This traditional dance has a lot more in common with the Larakaraka ceremonial dance of Acholi.

Acholi dance

Acholi people practice Bwola-a war dance which also known as court dance. It is usually performed at the royal court to exhibit how men can safeguard the rest of the people in their communities. The other dances include Ding Ding also known as a social gathering dance and Larakaraka dance which is a courtship dance.

Lugbara dance

Lugbara people in West Nile display Gaze (children’s dance), Agwara (social gathering dance).

The Alur dance

The Alur people traditional dance is Otwenge also known as Adungu dance literally denoting elbow.

Ankole traditional dances

In western Uganda, Batooro people display Runyege-Entogoro also called a courtship dance and Empango-a worship dance. Banyankole on the other hand display Ekitaguriro-a harvest celebration dance movement practiced in Ankole region. The worship dance for Bakiga people is known as Ekimandwa and harvest dance is Ekizino. Explore these unique cultural practices in Uganda on cultural safaris and game viewing tour in Western Uganda.

Langi, Karamajong and Samya traditional dances

Cultural practices in Uganda. In Northern Uganda,  the Langi practice Ekoche-a courtship dance, Otole-a war dance and as you head to Northeastern side the Karamajong practice Ekaro also known as a wedding dance. Owaro dance is for the Samya.