The Busoga people, an ethnic group in East Africa, reside in the eastern region of Uganda, primarily where the Busoga kingdom was situated.
They’re part of the larger Bantu ethnic group and have a distinct cultural identity and language.
Here’s a summary of the Busoga way of life.
Busoga Family Structure
Traditionally, the Busoga community was organized into extended families. A household had between five to ten people.
The father was the head of the family and lived with his wife/wives, children, and relatives who couldn’t live alone like grandparents.
Busoga Clans
Busoga clans were split into two categories. For one, the Abalangira, the royal clan, and the Abakopi, the commoner’s clan.
All the clans based their identity on the name of their ancestors.
The following are the various chiefdoms/clans of the Basoga community;
Bulamogi
Bugabula
Kigulu
Luuka
Bukono
Bukooli
Butembe
Bugweri
Busiki
Bunha
Bunhole
Busoga Totems
Culturally, totems were distinct according to each clan. Members of the clan were prohibited from eating or mistreating their totems.
The following are some of the totems representing the various clans of the Busoga.
They include Butiko, Fumbe, Ighembe, Ngoinha, Igongolo, Ikovu, Irehya, Isonsole, Kaduuyu, Kalumba, Kasimba, Kayima, Kibbe, Kikere, Kiyendhe, Lugave, Mbaati, Mbogo, Mondo, Mpala, Mpitti, Mpologoma, Mpongo, Namadhedhe, , Nkembo, Ntwiga , Nkula, , Nkofu, Nkukuni, Ndhu, Ndoza, Ndovu, Nfulu, Nfuuko, Ngeye, Ngwaali Nsenene, Nsiri, Ntaama, Nte, Nturege, and Nhaange.
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Dialects
The language spoken by the Basoga people is Lusoga.
However, linguistically, it’s divisible into two dialects: Lupakooyo, a dialect similar to Runyoro, traditionally spoken in north Busoga, and the Lutenga dialect used in the south.
Busoga People Naming System
A ritual was done during the naming a newborn among the Basoga community.
A clan head or diviner performed the ritual by throwing two hens on top of a house, calling out different names.
The hen that flies off first from the roof determines the name to be given to the infant.
Busoga People Marriage/Courtship
Traditionally, marriage was presided over by healers/diviners through sacrifices to the spirit of fertility to allow the couple to have children. Marriage counseling was also provided to the bride-to-be.
When a man is ready to marry, he identifies a girl he wishes to marry. Later, he would send a team comprising honorable male elders of the family or clan to the girl's home.
The team would identify the girl's family and ensure they are not of the same clan. Marriage between people of the same clan was taboo; hence, this information was vital.
The team would then table their request and introduce their clan to the girl’s family.
After that, they ask for the girl's hand in marriage.
If she accepts, they start deliberating on the bride price. When an agreement is reached, a marriage ceremony was initiated.
Polygamy
Polygamous families were encouraged amongst the Basoga community. Large families were as prestigious, and men were proud to have them.
It also meant that more children were born for the continuity of the family name and clan.
Gender Roles in Marriage
Basoga men are required to provide necessities and protect their families. They also hunt to provide food.
Women did most of the work central to the survival of the household. They were also required to give birth to children for the continuity of the family.
Widows and Widowers
Widows were inherited among the Basoga community. Widowers were allowed to marry other wives to ensure that the late wife’s children are cared for.
Divorce
Divorce among the Busoga was only considered if the man initiated it. Reasons such as barrenness prompted men to divorce their wives.
Children were prestigious in the community, and one felt out of place if they could not sire kids. Adultery was also another reason where divorce was considered a solution.
Inheritance
The Busoga were organized into a patrilineal society. Men undertook all family obligations.
After the death of a clan member, the clan gathers to perform funeral rites and ensure that the wealth is given to the rightful heir.
Two forms of inheritance followed among the Basoga community: omusika owénkoba (heir of the belt) and omusika owémbisi (property heir).
The former role was assigned to the deceased's youngest brother, who becomes the family's guardian by adopting the children, taking the widow, and inheriting the belt, spear, stool, and other items that denote the deceased's personality.
Land, livestock, and other property were given to omusika owémbisis (the deceased's oldest son). The remaining wealth is split equally among the other children.
Death
Death among the Busoga was a rite of passage through which a person becomes an ancestor.
They believed in life after death and that the spirit remained alive while the flesh rotted. Therefore, decent burials were given, following all clan traditions.
They also believed that Omuzimu, the spirit of the dead relative, affects descendants' lives. People were buried according to various traditions depending on the deceased's status.
For one, a chief was buried with some objects facing towards his supposed direction of origin, in the hut of his first wife.
The wives first washed the corpse and smeared it with butter and colored beads tied around the neck. The grave was dug ten meters down, and the chief was buried.
The burial of the head of the family was also done uniquely. All his children would kiss the corpse and wail loudly.
The preparation of food was prohibited for one day, and people mourned. A grave was dug inside his hut, and he was buried. Beer and blood were sprinkled over the grave as a ritual.
A childless man, a widower, or an unmarried were not given decent burial ceremonies. A grave was dug, and a broom was placed over it.
That signified that there was an order not to come back or be reincarnated. They believed he would pass the condition to another person in society when he returned.
A married woman was given a befitting burial by her husband. She was buried in the banana plantation according to her husband’s customs.
The husband would wail and kiss her, and the body was buried lying on the left.
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