-
The Bagandan people of Uganda posssess a powerful culture that is based around kingship. The king is called the Kabaka and when the earlier governments of Uganda wanted to express their complete control over the country, they had destroyed the Baganda and other kingdoms. Nevertheless, the people maintained their calm and, because of the strength of their culture, it was easily resurrected when the political climate changed.
In addition to the centrality of the Kabaka, the people do take great pride in their verbally rich culture. As well as songs, they use many folktales and proverbs to teach their children moral behavior and ritual correctness. In order to in form and sharpen their minds, the children from young are taught to express themselves especially through word games such as “Ludikya”, which is often called “talking backward.”. For example a child may say “omuzima” (spirit) and then say am-zi-umo as a way of talking backward.
There are many variations of these word games “Okutinta” the children learn a lot about their families history and which is brainteaser during which children quiz each other about their respective families, actual events and much more (like the game Jeopardy but much faster). “Ebitontome” which is a form of poetic chanting that requires a high degree of memory recall.
They can chant on any topic but mostly by chanting on historical events, inventions, religious teachings and unexplainable wonders and phenomena in the universe. At home the children observe the adults at play with riddles and learn by studying their elders. They refer to the collective riddling game as “Okukokkya”. These are examples that play such a vital role in the preservation of the people’s history and traditions.
