Let’s get to know more about the people we are trying to serve!
1. Dance is extremely important in the culture of the Ugandans. In fact, the dances are unique to each group of people. Ugandan Gold Coffee is grown in an area populated by two tribes, the Banyoro and the Bakiga.
In Bunyoro (where the Banyoro people live), Runyege Ntogoro is a traditional ceremonial dance. It is also a courtship dance performed by the youth when it is time for them to choose partners for marriage. The dance was named after the rattles (ebinyege and entogoro) which are tied on the boys’ legs to produce percussion rhythms. The sound produced by the rattles is exciting as it blends with the main beat made by the song and drum rhythms.
When the Bakiga stand to dance, the ground beneath them begins to tremble! No, it’s never an earthquake, but the strength and agility that embodies their traditional dance, kizino. This tribe has been stereotyed as the rougher, tougher, stout but energetic breed of Ugandans, regardless of gender. Their dance, the kizino, has these same traits, shown by the movement, use of space and the determined attacking of the very ground itself.
Graham Hodgetts-CEED/Ugandan Gold Coffee
2. In Uganda, there are four basic tribal groups.
a. Migrating from the West are the Bantu, which include the tribes of Bagis, Bagwere, Bakiga, Bakonjo, Banyankole, Banyarwanda, Banyoro, Basoga, Batoro, and Buganda.
b. Tribes originating from the North are the Nilotics, consisting of the Acholi, Alur, Jonam, Lango, Lulya, and Padhola.
c. Also from the North are the Hamites, known as the Bahima, who are more trade-oriented than the other Ugandan tribes.
d. And finally, originating from the Northeast, are the NiloHamites/Sudanics, consisting of the Kakwa, Karamojong, Kumam, Labwor, Lendu, Lugbara, Madi, Pokot, Sebei, Tepeth, and Teso.
Compassion.com
3. Most Ugandans will start their day a bowl of cooked cereal or a cup of tea. The two main meals of the day at noon and in the evening are prepared by the women, cooked over a wood fire. Most families in the rural areas will grow their own food.
Typical food choices include matoke made from bananas, potatoes and yams, pumpkins, beans, peas, cabbage, tomatoes and sorghum. Bread is made from millet grain. Other staples include cassava, groundnuts and maize which westerners know as tapioca, peanuts and corn respectively. Fruits grow in abundance and include jackfruits, lemons, oranges, papayas and pineapples. Protein is derived from chicken, goat, fish and milk.
Everyculture.com/Graham Hodgetts/Foodplease.com
4. Religion is a HUGE part of community life. The Ugandan population is comprised of 80% Christians (Protestant or Catholic), 10% Muslims and the remaining 10% a combination of indigenous practices like animism. The village’s faith is obvious as it is incorporated into every aspect of life and it is what brings the community together in times of trouble or sickness.
Our-africa.org
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7
