The Lugbara Tribe

The Lugbara are a tribe in north-western Uganda, west of the Albert Nile, sometimes known as West Nile Arua City, Arua, Maracha, Terego, Madi-Okollo, Yumbe, and Koboko districts of Uganda, to be specific), near Uganda's borders with DR Congo and South Sudan.

The Lugbara belong to the Nilotic ethnic group. They migrated from Sudan to northern Uganda between the 14th and 16th centuries. Their founding father traveled from present-day Acholiland in northern Uganda to Mount Wati, west of the Albert Nile. The Lugbara are part of the Lugbara region and are governed by a clan structure.

Culture and traditions of the Lugbara

Traditionally, the Lugbara are farmers who raise cattle and poultry, primarily guineafowl, also known as ope; they are the primary keepers of guineafowl in Uganda. The Lugbara are classified into numerous dialects that are easily understood by one another. These are: Ayivu, Maracha, Terego, Vurra, and Aringa. Madi and Kaliko are Lugbara-speaking tribes in South Sudan. Every time a kid is born, the Lugbara perform a particular name-giving ritual known as Cikiri.

Historically, the Lugbara were primarily a chiefdom-based community. They did not have kingdoms or monarchs to rule over them like other ethnic groups in Uganda. They usually had chiefs as leaders. They created favorable ties with neighboring tribes to secure their safety from attacks by other ethnic groups. The early Lugbara had no soldiers or standing armies in their chiefdoms. Every able-bodied man had a duty to guard his town; hence, all able-bodied men were automatically classified as soldiers, albeit this was not a permanent duty.

The Lugbara are agriculturalists. They cultivate maize, millet, sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes, Simsim, and vegetables. Their major foods are cassava, millet, and sorghum, which are consumed separately. Cassava flour is used to make cassava bread called "Enyasa," millet flour to make millet paste called "Anya Edi," and sorghum flour to make sorghum bread called "Ondu enya." Their beverages are "Nzaiza" and "Kwete/Kpete," both manufactured from maize. The Maracha consume grasshoppers named Terego, big rats called Aringas, red ants called "Ojuruko/Ujuruko," and soy beans called "Ochakucha/Ochaocha."

The Lugbara dress code is Kitenge (contemporary); however, they have traditionally worn animal hides and leaves. The Lugbara perform a variety of dances, including the "Nambi" dance, a festival dance, Mutre, and Koro. The Lugbara language is known as "Lugbarati."

Historically, the Lugbara were primarily a chiefdom-based community. They did not have kingdoms or monarchs to rule over them like other ethnic groups in Uganda. They usually had chiefs as leaders. They created favorable ties with neighboring tribes to secure their safety from attacks by other ethnic groups. The early Lugbara had no soldiers or standing armies in their chiefdoms. Every able-bodied man had a duty to guard his town; hence, all able-bodied men were automatically classified as soldiers, albeit this was not a permanent duty. The Lugbara were initially animists, as their mythology demonstrates. However, Christianity is now the most common religion among them, with Islam being another important faith. According to Uganda's 2002 Census, the majority of Lugbara people (48.6%) are Roman Catholic, 21.4% are Anglican, and 29.1% are Sunni Muslims.

Dorcus Inzikuru, the 3000-meter steeple chase world champion in Helsinki 2005, and Jackson Asiku, the previous Commonwealth boxing light-weight champion, are two well-known Lugbara athletes. Another prominent Lugbara is John Munduga, an international boxer, as well as Idi Amin Dada, Uganda's former president, who is well known for banishing Asians.

Sights in the Lugbara region

• The Lugbara are the guardians and custodians of Ajai Wildlife Reserve, the only wildlife sanctuary west of the Albert Nile. Ajai Wildlife Reserve was once home to Uganda's largest white rhino population before they became extinct in the 1980s. Ajai Wildlife Reserve is situated in Arua (Madi Okolo).

• The Lugbara are the guardians and stewards of Mount Wati, West Nile's largest peak. The mountain provides excellent trekking opportunities and is where the Lugbara's forefathers settled. Mount Wati is situated in Arua (now Terego District).

• The Lugbara are the guardians and custodians of the Alikua Pyramid, a 5-meter-high conical stone and mud construction created by Belgian colonialists who ruled West Nile in 1911. The pyramid is situated in Maracha (At Alikua). The Lugbara are also the protectors and custodians of Yia Calu Waterfalls in Arua (Oluko) and Miriadua Falls in Maracha.

Uganda has 1,099,733 Lugbara (based on the 2014 census). The Lugbara are primarily found in Arua, Maracha, Terego, and Yumbe districts.

A leopard with 300 spots serves as the Lugbara's cultural icon.