Uganda -- Ethnic Groups

 

Ugandans can be classified into several broad linguistic groups: the Bantu-speaking majority, who live in the central, southern and western parts of the country; and non-Bantu speakers who occupy the eastern, northern and northwestern portions of the country (who may in turn be sub-divided into Nilotic and Central Sudanic peoples). The first category includes the large and historically highly centralized kingdom of Buganda, the smaller western Ugandan kingdoms of Bunyoro, Nkore and Toro, and the Busoga states to the east of Buganda. The peoples in the second category include the Iteso, Langi, Acholi, Alur, Karamojong, Jie, Madi, and Lugbara in the north and a number of other smaller societies in the eastern part of the country.[1]

Bantu-speakers entered southern Uganda probably by the end of the first millennium A.D. and developed centralized kingdoms by the fifteenth or the sixteenth century. At independence, Bantu-language speakers made up approximately two thirds of the population. Their languages are classified as Eastern Lacustrine and Western Lacustrine Bantu in reference to the populous region surrounding East Africa's Great Lakes (Victoria, Kyoga, Edward, and Albert in Uganda; Kivu and Tanganyika to the south). Eastern Lacustrine peoples include the Baganda (whose language is Luganda), the Basoga, the Bagisu, and many smaller societies in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya.

 

The Buganda make up the largest ethnic group in Uganda, though they represent only 16.7% of the population. (The name Uganda, the Swahili term for Buganda, was adopted by British officials in 1884 when they established the Uganda Protectorate, centered in Buganda). Buganda's boundaries are marked by Lake Victoria on the south, the Victoria Nile River on the east, and Lake Kyoga on the north. This region was never conquered in the colonial era; rather, the powerful king (or kabaka), Mutesa, agreed to a British policy of giving Buganda protectorate status.

 

The Basoga make up about 8% of the population. Before the arrival of the Europeans, they were subsistence farmers who also kept cattle, sheep, and goats. They commonly maintained gardens for domestic use close to the homestead. The Bagisu constitute 5% of the population. They occupy the well-watered western slopes of Mount Elgon, where they grow millet, bananas, and corn for subsistence, and coffee and cotton as cash crops. This area has the highest population density in the nation, as dense as 250 per sq km. As a result, nearly all land is cultivated and land pressure has led to population migration and social conflicts.

 

The Western Lacustrine Bantu includes the Bunyoro, Batoro, and Banyankole of western Uganda. Their complex kingdoms are believed to be the product of acculturation between two different ethnic groups, the Hima and the Iru. In each of these three societies, two distinct are identified, the Hima and the Iru. The Hima are said to be the descendants of pastoralists who migrated into the region from the northeast. The Iru are are said to be descendants of agricultural populations that preceded the Hima as cultivators in the region. Bunyoro lies in the plateau of western Uganda, constituting about 3% of the population. The Batoro evolved out of a breakaway segment of Bunyoro that split off at an unspecified time before the nineteenth century. The Batoro and Bunyoro speak closely related languages, Lutoro and Lunyoro, and share many other cultural traits. The Batoro live on Uganda's western border, south of Lake Albert and constitute about 3.2% of the population. In pre-colonial times, they lived in a highly centralized kingdom like Buganda, which was stratified like the society of Bunyoro.

 

Nilotic-language speakers entered the area from the north probably beginning about A.D. 100. They were the first cattle-herding people in the area, but they relied on crop cultivation to supplement livestock herding for subsistence. The largest Nilotic populations in present-day Uganda are the Iteso and Karamojong cluster of ethnic groups, speaking Eastern Nilotic languages, and the Acholi, Langi, and Alur, speaking Western Nilotic languages. Descendants of Eastern Nilotic peoples also live in Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda, where the largest groups are the Karamojong. These include the Karamojong proper, as well as the Jie, Dodoth, and several small related groups, constituting about 12% of the population. The Iteso people are an acculturated branch of the Eastern Nilotic peoples. Constituting about 8.1% of population of Uganda, they are the nation's second largest ethnic group. The Teso territory stretches south from Karamoja into the well-watered region of Lake Kyoga. Their traditional economy emphasizes crop growing. Many Iteso joined the cash economy when coffee and cotton were introduced in 1912, and the region has prospered through agriculture and commerce. The Kakwa occupy a region of extreme northwestern Uganda that borders southern Sudan and northeastern Zaire. Those who live in Uganda constitute less than 1% of the population. Western Nilotic language groups include the Acholi, Langi, Alur, and several smaller ethnic groups. Together they comprise about 15% of the population. Most of western Nilotic languages in Uganda are classified as Low Nilotic, and are closely related to the language of the Luo in Kenya. The two largest ethnic groups, the Acholi and Langi, speak almost identical languages. The Alur, who live west of the Acholi and Langi, are culturally similar to neighboring societies of the West Nile region, where most people speak Central Sudanic languages.

 

Central Sudanic languages, whose speakers also arrived in Uganda from the north over a period of centuries, are spoken by the Lugbara, Madi, and a few small groups in the northwestern corner of the country. Central Sudanic languages are spoken by about 6% of Ugandans, most of whom live in the northwest. The Lugbara live in the highlands on an almost treeless plateau that forms the watershed between the Congo River and the Nile. The Madi live in the lowlands to the east. The two groups both speak nearly identical languages and have strong cultural similarities. Both groups raise millet, cassava, sorghum, legumes, and a variety of root crops. Chicken, goats, and, at higher elevations, cattle are also important. Corn is grown for brewing beer, and tobacco is an important cash crop.

 

Roughly 10,000 Ugandans of Sudanese descent are classified as Nubians in reference to their origin near the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. They are descendants of Sudanese military recruits who entered Uganda in the late nineteenth century as part of the colonial army employed to quell popular revolts. Their ethnic identities are various, but many spoke Western Nilotic languages similar to that spoken by the Acholi people, their closest relatives in Uganda. Many Nubians also speak a variant of Arabic, and are Muslims. The 1969 census numbered the Asian population in Uganda at about 70,000. Asians were officially considered foreigners despite the fact that more than 50% of them had been born in Uganda. By the 1970s South Asians had gained control of the retail and wholesale trade, cotton ginning, coffee and sugar processing, and other segments of commerce. President Amin deported about 70,000 Asians in 1972, and only a few returned to Uganda in the 1980s to claim compensation for their expropriated land, buildings, factories, and estates. In 1989 the Asian population in Uganda was estimated at only about 10,000.

 

Bantu Migrations:One Migration. Many Changes.

 

Who and When:

 

Between 1000 B.C-1100 A.D., East Africa experienced a wave of migrations from all throughout Africa. Over a period of 1000 years, groups moved away from their homeland which is now Cameroon. The Bantu, were a class of over 400 ethnic groups who spoke a similar language, and shared common customs.

Causes:

The reasons for the Bantu migrations are unknown to many, but they most likely include these listed below:

Drying up of the Sahara grasslands which led groups that practiced agriculture to migrate in search of new fertile land and water for farming. (Drought and Famine)

An increase in population which resulted in pressures causing others to migrate in search for new land.

The constant attacks from stronger neighboring tribes in West Africa and the Nile valley and the external pressures such as the migration of the Arabs into West Africa.

Rulers wanted to expand their kingdoms, and gain more power and control.

Tribal wars caused defeated tribes to run away from powerful ones for safety.

The Bantu people wanted to expand their iron-working culture. They had discovered the knowledge of iron working and had invented iron tools which transformed agriculture by making the clearing of land faster and more efficient.

 

 

First Wave:

 

The first wave of the Bantu migration followed two paths into the rain forest and around the Congo River. Many came with hopes to start small villages, and farm along the river banks. Although, many hopes ended due to the dense rain forests not suitable for farming.

Second Wave:

After the struggle of finding land for farming, Bantu groups set path towards the east coast of Southern Africa where land was better suited for farming. In this dry grassy-wet land of Africa, the Bantu speakers raised herds of livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle.

Positive impacts

 

Introduction of iron working: they introduced iron-working and the use of iron tools throughout much of Africa, and when iron-smelting started, there was an increase in food production.

Introduction of new crops e.g. yams, bananas: the Bantu increased their knowledge of food and crop cultivation. Earlier on in Africa, the inhabitants were hunters and gatherers, but with iron smelting, food production began.

They introduced centralized administration: They introduced a centralized system of government where the king acted as the overall ruler, under whom were the other chiefs.

Interaction with other tribes: The Bantu language became widespread in East Africa.

Introduced a system of building permanent homes: The opening of new land to raise families, and setup villages and clans.

Defense: The knowledge of iron smelting led to the making of bows, arrows and spears for defense and protection.

Unified regions: Migrations led to a rise of large states and bigger tribes in East Africa, e.g. the Buganda, Kikuyu, Nyamwezi. Etc.

 

Negative impacts

 

Depopulation: This was caused by the frequent attacks made by the Bantu against the people in East Africa for land through wars.

Loss of culture: Cultural absorption resulted in the loss of culture. Also, Bantu intermarrying with the non- Bantu peoples was a factor.

 

Outcome:

 

The Bantu migration being the largest migration in history, influenced two thirds of African language. By the end of the first millennium divisions had formed. There was a difference between the rich and poor, as well as with men and women. The Bantu were the first to develop language and provide historians with an idea about Africa's civilizations. The Bantu were also the first farmers and cattle-keepers.