Culture in Uganda
Additional Resources on the Culture of Uganda
This is a great resource as it shows you the languages and groups of people in Uganda, as well as key cultural aspects such as dance-it even has a video for an example, as well as talks about the religions in Uganda. It shows a very broad view of the culture while still getting a pretty good picture of the details.
http://www.our-africa.org/uganda/people-culture
This is a great research to learn about what types of food they eat in Uganda, what the politics are like there, what a typical family looks like, and even what proper etiquette looks like in Uganda. This is a great source of information all the way around!
http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Uganda.html
This is a great resource as it shows you the languages and groups of people in Uganda, as well as key cultural aspects such as dance-it even has a video for an example, as well as talks about the religions in Uganda. It shows a very broad view of the culture while still getting a pretty good picture of the details.
http://www.our-africa.org/uganda/people-culture
This is a great research to learn about what types of food they eat in Uganda, what the politics are like there, what a typical family looks like, and even what proper etiquette looks like in Uganda. This is a great source of information all the way around!
http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Uganda.html
In Uganda Degrees are classified as First Class, Second Class Division One, Second Class Division Two and Third as in English Degrees. Here we see that half of the country has fewer than 20,000 students with a Division 1 or 2 Degree. This shows that a majority of the population does not attend a university and receive a college degree. We also see that the part of the country where 300,000-360,000 students receive a degree are near the capitol.
(n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.mappingday.com/sites/mappingday.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/uce_result.jpeg?itok=flvxLJBV
(n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2015, from http://www.mappingday.com/sites/mappingday.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/uce_result.jpeg?itok=flvxLJBV
How has Uganda Changed
In the early 1800s Uganda was only just being settled and so we see a low population and a low life expectancy as people are constantly moving around and not settling down. Once Uganda gains independence in 1962 we see a rise in life expectancy and a rise in population as people have finally settled into a normal life pattern and less moving patterns. However, the AIDS epidemic hit Uganda in 1982. As the years moved on and the AIDS epidemic decreased life expectancy and population numbers increased even more. I expect these numbers to increase all the more with the end of the Child War that recently occurred. Uganda is finally starting to rebuild and I think that in the next century or so we will see these numbers rise all the more.
During the 1800s the Uganda was only just being settled. Once the 1940s hit and Uganda gained independence in 1962 we see a rise in life expectancy as people settle in a constant life pattern.
There were 85000 Annual HIV deaths in 1990.
We see further proof of the decrease in deaths due to HIV. There were 62000 Annual HIV deaths in 2011.
With the colonization and gained independence of Uganda, plus with the decrease of the AIDS epidemic we see an increase in population from the 1800s to 2013. In 1800 there were 2.1 million people. In 2013 there were 37 million people.
Religion in Uganda
Uganda has three main religious groups- Christianity, Islam, and indigenous religions. Islam was the first external religion established in Uganda in the 1970s. About one-tenth of the current population in Muslim. Christianity arrived during the colonial period. It took root in the south and spread from there. Since then conflict has erupted between the Christians and Muslims. Christians make up four-fifths of the population and are mainly of the Catholic or Protestant denominations. There is also rivalry between the Catholics and Protestants, more so even than that of the Christians and Muslims. Indigenous religions make up the other percentage of the population (1).
These maps show that Uganda is 10% tradition religion, 10% Moslem, and 50% Chritian. http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/images/afrorelg.gif
In one way or another Uganda is a very religious country. Because of this these values shine through the everyday “culture norms” in Uganda. The most striking place that this religious influence is seen is in the Ugandan tradition values. The Ugandan people value a sense of community, respect for authority, hard work, sacredness of human life, hospitality, honesty, and justice. All of these concepts are very religious at the core. It is no surprise then that these are the values that the Ugandan people treasure above all else (2).
Because the two main religions of Uganda came externally to the country the sacred places to the religions are not found within the country borders. The main sacred places for Christianity are found in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, one must travel to Israel to visit these cities. The sacred place for Islam is Mecca. Muslims must make pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia to find this city. Those that are part of the indigenous religions of Uganda create shrines to their gods at various locations all over Uganda. One of the most notable shrines is the Matyr’s Shrine made in 1967 for 22 Ugandan people who died for the Christian faith (3).
In one way or another Uganda is a very religious country. Because of this these values shine through the everyday “culture norms” in Uganda. The most striking place that this religious influence is seen is in the Ugandan tradition values. The Ugandan people value a sense of community, respect for authority, hard work, sacredness of human life, hospitality, honesty, and justice. All of these concepts are very religious at the core. It is no surprise then that these are the values that the Ugandan people treasure above all else (2).
Because the two main religions of Uganda came externally to the country the sacred places to the religions are not found within the country borders. The main sacred places for Christianity are found in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, one must travel to Israel to visit these cities. The sacred place for Islam is Mecca. Muslims must make pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia to find this city. Those that are part of the indigenous religions of Uganda create shrines to their gods at various locations all over Uganda. One of the most notable shrines is the Matyr’s Shrine made in 1967 for 22 Ugandan people who died for the Christian faith (3).
Uganda Matyr's Shrine, Namugango Kampala Uganda-for the 22 Uganda martyrs who died for Christian faith.
https://theird.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/ugandan-martyrs-shrine1.jpg
Politics and religion are heavily tied in Uganda, although, the government greatly resents this fact. Economic decline in the country has forced the people to find relief in churches. As a result churches have been forced to take political action. This has caused the government to accuse churches of anti-government subversive activities. However, in reality churches influence opportunities in the country for better education, higher employment rates and therefore an economic incline, and social advancement. Religious groups also step up and take charge in the midst of temporary rulers. Churches create stability for the people and help bridge the gap between political upheaval and peace (4).
Religion in Uganda today provides hope for the people. In the midst of a country trying to rebuild itself after the affects and damage of war and disease, religion has become a central point of hope for the Ugandan people. Take Watoto Orphanage for example which is centered in Gulu, they are a Christian orphanage whose sole purpose is to “rescue, raise, and rebuild” Uganda by raising the next generation of African leaders to become responsible Christians and productive citizens. Religion brings hope to those orphans and helps them reclaim their lives and their countries. People are doing this all across Uganda. Faith is giving the Ugandan people the hope and strength to reclaim their country (5).
https://theird.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/ugandan-martyrs-shrine1.jpg
Politics and religion are heavily tied in Uganda, although, the government greatly resents this fact. Economic decline in the country has forced the people to find relief in churches. As a result churches have been forced to take political action. This has caused the government to accuse churches of anti-government subversive activities. However, in reality churches influence opportunities in the country for better education, higher employment rates and therefore an economic incline, and social advancement. Religious groups also step up and take charge in the midst of temporary rulers. Churches create stability for the people and help bridge the gap between political upheaval and peace (4).
Religion in Uganda today provides hope for the people. In the midst of a country trying to rebuild itself after the affects and damage of war and disease, religion has become a central point of hope for the Ugandan people. Take Watoto Orphanage for example which is centered in Gulu, they are a Christian orphanage whose sole purpose is to “rescue, raise, and rebuild” Uganda by raising the next generation of African leaders to become responsible Christians and productive citizens. Religion brings hope to those orphans and helps them reclaim their lives and their countries. People are doing this all across Uganda. Faith is giving the Ugandan people the hope and strength to reclaim their country (5).
This is a Watoto nanny with one of the orphans at Baby Watoto in Gulu, Uganda. Watoto is a Christian orphanage whose mission is to rescue, raise, and rebuild Uganda through the orphans.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/82/fb/f7/82fbf731f286ed4bac459be4f697fb64.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/82/fb/f7/82fbf731f286ed4bac459be4f697fb64.jpg
Citations for Religion in Uganda
(1) (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/place/Uganda
(2) Ugandan Traditional Cultural Values. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.academia.edu/1937342/Ugandan_Traditional_Cultural_Values
(3) (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Uganda.html
(4) Religion has pivotal role in Uganda's development. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://udugandans.org/cms/media-section/61-religion-has-pivotal-role-in-ugandas-development
(5) Our Purpose - Watoto. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.watoto.com/about-us/our-purpose
(1) (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/place/Uganda
(2) Ugandan Traditional Cultural Values. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.academia.edu/1937342/Ugandan_Traditional_Cultural_Values
(3) (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Uganda.html
(4) Religion has pivotal role in Uganda's development. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://udugandans.org/cms/media-section/61-religion-has-pivotal-role-in-ugandas-development
(5) Our Purpose - Watoto. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2015, from http://www.watoto.com/about-us/our-purpose
Cultural Diversity decline in uganda
Uganda has an extreme amount of cultural diversity, almost to a fault at times. The cultural diversity in Uganda has caused conflict between different tribes on more than one occasion and has left the country divided. “Ethnic and religious divisions as well as historical enmities and rivalries contributed to the country’s disintegration in the 1970s. There was a wide gulf between Nilotic speakers in the north and Bantu speakers in the south…The kingdoms were often at odds in regard to the control of land (1)”. Even so today Uganda is split into four different tribes-Bantu, Central Sudanic, Nilotic, and Kuliak-in which peace is a rather fragile word. However, we see that as peace begins to be established between the tribes we find a loss of cultural diversity.
As culturally diverse as Uganda is, it is even more biodiverse. Because Uganda is landlocked by seven of Africa’s biogeographic regions it has extremely high levels of biodiversity both terrestrial and aquatic. Things like the Nile River and Lake Victoria add to this biodiversity. Because of this “Uganda ranks among the top ten most biodiverse countries globally (2)”.
We can see that cultural diversity and biodiversity are directly linked as so often the cultural conflict is over land. Therefore as one declines so does the other. This is the exact outcome we are seeing in Uganda. Despite the vast biodiversity in Uganda, there are elements of it that are at high risk. One such loss is the extinction of five mammal species-the Bongo, Derby’s Eland, the Black Rhino, the White Rhino, and Oryx. There are even more endangered species (3). This along with deforestation which affects the climate change can really impact their food and trade resources.
Since the cultural diversity decline is for the better, the best way to help the two is to focus on preventing biodiversity decline. One effort in preserving the biodiversity of the culture which will then in turn help preserve the cultural diversity of Uganda, is the ending of sport hunting of wild animals put into effect in January of 2011 (4). Another way in which they are trying to preserve land is through national parks.
Overall while the cultural diversity is declining this is not an issue up to a certain point. It starts to become a problem when the decline of biodiversity begins to affect the cultural diversity. The tribes of Uganda must learn to coexist and so this is going to take some loss of cultural diversity as they compromise in the name of peace. Culture still does, however, need to be preserved. This is where the decline of biodiversity becomes a rather large issue as the two are connected. As the biodiversity is threatened the cultural diversity is going to decline far past the point it needs to. It will no longer be about peace, everyone will just lose their culture, and they will also lose their natural resources. Because of this the preservation of biodiversity must be of utmost importance in order to not affect already shaky cultural diversity decline.
As culturally diverse as Uganda is, it is even more biodiverse. Because Uganda is landlocked by seven of Africa’s biogeographic regions it has extremely high levels of biodiversity both terrestrial and aquatic. Things like the Nile River and Lake Victoria add to this biodiversity. Because of this “Uganda ranks among the top ten most biodiverse countries globally (2)”.
We can see that cultural diversity and biodiversity are directly linked as so often the cultural conflict is over land. Therefore as one declines so does the other. This is the exact outcome we are seeing in Uganda. Despite the vast biodiversity in Uganda, there are elements of it that are at high risk. One such loss is the extinction of five mammal species-the Bongo, Derby’s Eland, the Black Rhino, the White Rhino, and Oryx. There are even more endangered species (3). This along with deforestation which affects the climate change can really impact their food and trade resources.
Since the cultural diversity decline is for the better, the best way to help the two is to focus on preventing biodiversity decline. One effort in preserving the biodiversity of the culture which will then in turn help preserve the cultural diversity of Uganda, is the ending of sport hunting of wild animals put into effect in January of 2011 (4). Another way in which they are trying to preserve land is through national parks.
Overall while the cultural diversity is declining this is not an issue up to a certain point. It starts to become a problem when the decline of biodiversity begins to affect the cultural diversity. The tribes of Uganda must learn to coexist and so this is going to take some loss of cultural diversity as they compromise in the name of peace. Culture still does, however, need to be preserved. This is where the decline of biodiversity becomes a rather large issue as the two are connected. As the biodiversity is threatened the cultural diversity is going to decline far past the point it needs to. It will no longer be about peace, everyone will just lose their culture, and they will also lose their natural resources. Because of this the preservation of biodiversity must be of utmost importance in order to not affect already shaky cultural diversity decline.
This is a map of the tribes of Uganda. There has been a lot of conflict between the tribes over the years over land and cultural differences.
(n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2015, from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Languages_of_Uganda.png
(n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2015, from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Languages_of_Uganda.png
Citations for Cultural Diversity Decline in Uganda
(1) Uganda. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Uganda.html#ixzz3ripQFsEl
(2) Uganda - Country Profile. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=ug#facts
(3) National Biodiversity Data Bank (NBDB) - Uganda's Biodiversity. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from http://nbdb.mak.ac.ug/index.php/ugandas-biodiversity
(4) Uganda Ends Sport Hunting as Wildlife Numbers Decline. (2010, November 23). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2010/11/23/uganda_ends_sport_hunting/
(1) Uganda. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Uganda.html#ixzz3ripQFsEl
(2) Uganda - Country Profile. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=ug#facts
(3) National Biodiversity Data Bank (NBDB) - Uganda's Biodiversity. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from http://nbdb.mak.ac.ug/index.php/ugandas-biodiversity
(4) Uganda Ends Sport Hunting as Wildlife Numbers Decline. (2010, November 23). Retrieved November 17, 2015, from http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2010/11/23/uganda_ends_sport_hunting/
Food and Food Production
This is the recipe listed below. The reason I listed it here is because although it is rather unusual because it is made with plantains, it is made with many of the things that we would eat here. It is just beef stew with plantains.
Ugandan Matoke Recipe - Food.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2015, from http://www.food.com/recipe/ugandan-matoke-235945
Ugandan Matoke Recipe - Food.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2015, from http://www.food.com/recipe/ugandan-matoke-235945
Matoke Recipe
Ingredients:
8-10 plantains
1 lemon, juice of
oil
1 onion, chopped
2-3 tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 chili pepper, chopped
salt
cayenne pepper
1 lb ground beef
1 cup beef broth
Directions:
1) Peel the plantains, cut into cubes, sprinkle with lemon juice, and set aside
2) Heat oil in a large pan. Fry the onion, tomatoes, green pepper, hot pepper, and garlic together. Add spices to taste. Add meat and broth. Continue frying and stirring until the meat is nearly done or until the broth is starting to boil.
3) Reduce heat. Add plantains. Cover and simmer over low heat until plantains are tender and meat is done. Serve matoke hot.
Ugandan Matoke Recipe - Food.com. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2015, from http://www.food.com/recipe/ugandan-matoke-235945
Plantain is a staple crop in Uganda. Because of this matoke is an extremely popular dish. It can be served with or without meat. Traditionally matoke is often steamed in the leaves and then mashed. This is a traditional Uganda dish but is also common in Rwanda.
Dietary restrictions are tied to religious beliefs. There are dietary restrictions within the Islamic religion. Catholics also follow dietary restrictions during holidays.