• Home
    • About Us
      • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • Form Test
    • Homepage Test
    • Info
      • Climate
      • Culture
      • Destinations
        • Rwanda
          • Kigali City
          • Rwanda Parks
        • Uganda
          • Districts
          • Kampala Attractions
          • National Parks
          • Uganda Gorilla Highlands
      • FAQs
      • Fishing
      • Public Holidays
      • Safari Tips
    • Safaris
    • Youtube Video

Speke Uganda Holidays

  • +256 393 294531
  • info@spekeugandaholidays.com
  • Stay Connected
Main Navigation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Testimonials
  • Safaris
  • Info
    • Destinations
    • Safari Tips
    • Culture
    • Climate
    • FAQs
    • Public Holidays
  • News
  • Contact

Culture

Uganda’s Culture

market-day-speke
Uganda is a country with many diverse but rich, unique cultures. In pre-colonial times the country was divided into kingdoms and chiefdoms stemming from 4 Ethnic groups. Bantu which is the largest group originated from the Cameroon highlands, the Nilo-Hamites from the Ethiopia, the Luo from southern Sudan and the group from West Nile sometimes referred to as the sudanic group.

The Bantu covering most of southern Uganda are mostly organized in kingdoms. They are largely agriculturalists as well as pastoralists. The Bantu Include; the Baganda, Basoga, Banyankole, Bagisu, Batooro, Bamba, Batwa, Bakonjo, Banyole, Bakiga, Bagwere, Basamia-bagwe, Bagwere, Banyoro and Bafumbira.

The Nilo-hamites include the Karimojong, the Itesots, the Langi and the Kumam while the Luo comprises of the Acholi, Alur, Japhadhola and the Jonam. The Luo are mainly organized in chiefdoms.

The West Nilotes comprise of the Madi, Ikebu, the Lugbara, Bari, Metu and Kakwa. All these different tribes have features that vary like the traditional names, ceremonies, dances, staple foods, economic activities, languages, the dressing, art and crafts, just to mention but a few.

In the 21st Century one may argue that people have abandoned their cultures because of religion and western civilization. However in Uganda the traditions of each tribe have been carefully passed on to the children, such that their cultures continue to thrive.

The Marriage ceremony is always a highly anticipated occasion filled with celebration. The Baganda forexample have a traditional marriage, currently known widely as an introduction ceremony ‘kwanjula’ where the girl introduces her suitor to her parents. There is also the kasiki which is the party held at the girls home and at the boys home on the night before the wedding.

Cultural Dances

culture-header
These vary by Tribe as well as occasion. They include celebrations during birth, harvest periods, circumcision or initiation ceremonies, Marriage and some cultures death. Some of these dances include Entogoro by the Batooro for wedding ceremonies, Imbalu by the Bagisu for circumcision, Amagunjju by the Baganda for coronation or ceremonies where the king must attend. When dancing the dancers wear beads, earings, backcloth, feathers, papyrus reed, ankle bells, cow horns and they use spears, fishnets, pots, milk items, jars to bring out the message in the dance. Drums, a xylophone, shakers, bow lyre, harp are also used to accompany the dance.

Cultural Dress

The gomesi is the most common traditional wear mainly worn by the women in the central region. Named after a Goan tailor called Gomez who was the first person to come up with the design. It is a very decent and elegant floor length dress with puffy sleeves worn with a sash that tied around the waist. The dress was later adopted by the Baganda who first made it using back cloth and later moved on to other materials when the Asians started trading at the coast. The gomesi is worn on various occasions like wedding ceremonies, funerals, state functions and traditional festivals. During funerals, the women are not supposed to show the sash.
For the men it is the kanzu that is most popular. Its origin is traced from the Arab traders who came to the mainland and got into contact with the local people. The local chiefs then adopted it as a special dreesing. The kanzu has two different types in Uganda which are the Muslim kanzu and then the Buganda kanzu which has embroidery (muleera) on the front side in the middle. The King wears kanzu that has all the clans on it to signify that he is the head of all the clans. The king and his officials wear a special cap over the kanzus to set them apart from the rest of the members of the kingdom. The Chinese also have their own version of a kanzu which has button holes and cuffs on the sleeves.
Although one should note that in rural areas the elderly people wear kanzus and gomesi almost all the time because they are perceived as a decent dress.

Historical Sites

These are quite scattered around the country representing the unique cultural heritage like the Kasubi Tombs (still under construction after being burnt in 2010) where the Kings of Buganda are buried, we have the Nyero rock paintings in Kumi district, Mparo tombs in Hoima where Bunyoro King, Omukama Kabalega was buried and the ruins of Fort Baker at Patiko in Northern Uganda.

Information

  • Safari Tips
  • Culture
  • Climate
  • Public Holidays
  • FAQs

What Our Clients Say

The tour was very good. Our guide Fred was very knowledgeable about the different species of both plants and animals. We received wonderful treatment and reception.
Catherine
Uganda Jan 2014
A great trip this was. My unique 10 days Photographic Tour of the Chimps in Kibale Forest was well organized and memorable. Everything worked perfectly to my satisfaction. Will be happy to recommend you to other people.
Simone
Italy Jan 2014
Wir hatten jeden Tag viel spass und gute unterhaltung! Wir haben viel von Uganda erfahren, jeder Tag, jedes program entsprach unseren vorstellungen. Lamech war ein angenehmer sehr gutter reiseleiter der uns immer gut gefueht und viel wissen ueber Uganda vermittelt hat. Jeder Tag mit ihm war ein erlebnis fuer uns!
Niemann, Annelieset Horst
Jan 2014
The organization and preparation of the tour was very good truly an unforgettable Journey.
West and Schobig
Germany Jan 2014
Am glad we met Tony on a flight to Uganda. Thank you for organizing a fabulous Trip for us at such a short notice.
Walter and Betty
Canada, April 2014
The trip was a lot of fun and our tour guide Hamid was well knowledgeable.
Ashley
Canada, April 2014
The guide and the tour were fabulous. Thank you very much. I would definitely recommend Speke Uganda holidays.
Richard and Chantel
Canada, April 2014
I cannot imagine how I could have had a better time from first contact to the end of the tour. The people in your organization are what makes it stand out from others. You are so warm and helpful and your personal touch made the experience so special. Robert was the consummate guide-always putting my comfort, well-being and enjoyment first.
June
USA April 2014
The tour was a wonderful combination of nature, culture and adventure. I appreciated very much Edward who helped us with everything, it was his priority to make our staying excellent and fulfilling our wishes.
Urs
Switzerland, April 2014
It has been really wonderful to explore real Africa. I enjoyed the very friendly people and the fantastic landscape and the animals very much. Thank you so much for this amazing holiday!!
Heidi
Switzerland, April 2014
What a Wonderful way to spend the day savoring the beauty of Uganda. Thanks for putting together a superb Trip for us
Kati
USA May 2014
Mr. Mugabi demonstrated a great deal of knowledge about wildlife and that was a great experience for us.
Melissa
Singapore June 2014
Great trekking in Rwenzori and gorillas. Enjoyed the people, landscape and the delicious fruits and wildlife in Queen Elizabeth. We really enjoyed Uganda a lot-a place you have to visit in your lifetime.
Christine and Forg
Germany June 2014
We saw everything we hoped for and had a great time. Thank you, we loved the tour. We will speak to our friends about you. Hamid was an excellent tour guide.
Ashwin and Carolina
Czech Republic and Mexico July 2014
We have seen the best of Uganda, exactly how it was proposed to us. Activities always changed and very good choice of hotels to stay in. Michael our guide was always there, very friendly and took really good care of us.
Gubler
Switzerland, July 2014
Excellent guide, very well organized trip. Perfect!!
Maytinee
UK July 2014
The trip was well worth it, we enjoyed everything. We loved the giraffes!! We even learnt new words "weebale". Sam was an exceptional guide. He provided us with a lot of information. He did a very good job at explaining and planning out the next day with us.
Matthew, Laura, Lindsay and Lisa
USA August 2014
We enjoyed the tour and had lots of fun. Our guide Robert was a very safe and a good driver. He gave us useful information about the history of Uganda.
Cornelia and Holger
Germany Sept 2014
We loved Uganda, beautiful landscapes and friendly people. Far more than we expected. Our guide Michael was very good company. Overall tour organization was excellent!
Klaus and Sigrid Licht
Germany Sept 2014
We had a great time on the tour, everything was excellent. A great collection of activities. Hamid our guide was terrific, very attentive and informative. His reliability was very refreshing.
Robb, Stephanie, Samir, Angela, Robert and Raneem
USA Sept 2014
It has been really wonderful to explore real Africa. I enjoyed the very friendly people and the fantastic landscape and the animals very much. Thank you so much for this amazing holiday!!
Heidi
Switzerland
We loved Uganda, beautiful landscapes and very friendly people…. Far more than we expected. Our guide Michael was very good company. Overall tour organization was excellent!
Klaus & Sigrid Licht
Germany
The trip was well worth it, we enjoyed everything. We loved the giraffes!! We even learnt new words "weebale". Sam was an exceptional guide. He provided us with a lot of information. He did a very good job at explaining and planning out the next day with us.
Matthew, Laura, Lindsay and Lisa
USA
Great trekking in RwenzoriMountains and The Mountain Gorillas. Enjoyed the people, landscape and the delicious fruits and wildlife in Queen Elizabeth. We really enjoyed Uganda a lot-a place you have to visit in your lifetime.
Christine and Forg
Germany
I cannot imagine how I could have had a better time from first contact to the end of the tour. The people in your organization are what makes it stand out from others. You are so warm and helpful and your personal touch made the experience so special. Robert was the consummate guide-always putting my comfort, well-being and enjoyment first.
June Young
USA

Kidepo National Park

About Us

Speke Uganda Holidays is a locally owned tour and travel company that specializes in designing unforgettable holidays in Uganda and Rwanda.

Your Holiday

  • About Us
  • Safaris
  • Info
  • Contact

Contact Us

  • Speke Uganda Holidays
  • Plot 1459 Block 216, Agape Close Off Ntinda Kiwatule Road, Kampala, Uganda
  • +256 393 294531
  • info@spekeugandaholidays.com
Copyright © 2020 Speke Uganda Holidays. All Rights Reserved.
  • Stay Connected
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram