Those Who Came Before Us

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Discover the hidden history of Bugweri, a powerful pre-colonial micro-kingdom within the modern-day Busoga region of Uganda. In this episode of "Those Who Came Before Us," we trace the rise of the AbaiseMenha clan and their legendary founder, Kakaire.

In the 18th century, Kakaire arrived from the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, carrying the divine authority of the Mukama. We explore the dramatic political shift where the AbaiseMusuubo clan lost their sovereignty to this newcomer, leading to the birth of the "Menha" title and a new era of governance. From sacred lineages to the strategic "breaking" of old traditions, this is the definitive pre-colonial history of the AbaiseMenha of Bugweri. Learn how this micro-state maintained its identity and authority in the heart of East Africa long before the maps of the colonial era were drawn.

Youtube Video Link: https://youtu.be/y64-Qvz7wUY
Buymeacoffee: buymeacoffee.com/twcbuchannc
Sources

David William Cohen, “The Historical Tradition of Busoga; Mukama and Kintu” ( London: Clarendon Press, 1972)

Federick Peter Batala-Nayenga, “An Economic History of the Lacustrine States of Busoga, Uganda: 1750-1939” ( University of Michigan, 1976)

Minah Nabirye and Gilles-Maurice De Schryver, “Enkaana” (Kampala, Menha Publishers, 2022)
Below are the specific stories from Enkaana that were used. 

• Benyamenyi Menha, mwiseMenha, recorded at his home at Namakunhu, Bugweri, 22 September 1966. Text 331
• Miss Kitimbo Lukiya Kitimbo, mwiseMenha, recorded at her home at Busesa, Bugweri. Text 330
• Kibedi Y.M. Zirabamuzale, mwiseMenha, recorded at his home at Bugembe, Butembe-Bunya, 21 September 1966. Text 333

Y.K. Lubogo ESQ, “History of Busoga”(Kisubi,Uganda: Marianum Press Ltd, 2020)(Translated and reprint from original written in Luganda)

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Music Used

Ntajermwa

Okwidhibana

Endhala Yomusana

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This is a morbid cautionary tale from Busoga in Uganda. It was told by Christopher Baseuse from the AbaiseKiranda clan. It was recorded by historian David Cohen at Baseuse's home on 7 October 1966.

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Watch the Youtube version at the link below.
https://youtu.be/TKlc2SDHiRw

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Was the founder of the Kigulu dynasty born among the bamboo? In this episode, we journey to the heart of Busoga to uncover the history of the AbaiseNgobi of Kigulu (formerly Buzimba).

We follow the story of Prince Ibanda Ngobi, the "Bamboo Prince" and examine how a group of incoming Luo migrants integrated with the indigenous populations to create one of the most powerful states in the region. This isn't just a story of royalty; it’s a story of merging cultures, strategic marriage, and the high-stakes politics of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Explore the rise and fall of kings, the brutal succession wars, and the eventual unification under King Miro during the British Protectorate era.
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References

David William Cohen, “The Historical Tradition of Busoga; Mukama and Kintu” ( London: Clarendon Press, 1972)

David William Cohen, “The Political Transformation of Northern Busoga:Cahiers d'Études Africaines, Vol. 22, Cahier 87/88, Systèmes étatiques africains (1982),pp. 465-488

David William Cohen, “Emergence and Crisis: The States of Northern Busoga in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries” , in D. DENOON, ed., History of Uganda, vol. II (Nairobi: East African Publishing House). 

Federick Peter Batala-Nayenga, “An Economic History of the Lacustrine States of Busoga, Uganda: 1750-1939” ( University of Michigan, 1976)

Renee Tantala, “The Consolidation of AbaiseNgobi Rule in Southern Kigulu” ( Madison: University of Wisconsin, B. A. thesis), IV-77 P. mimeo, 1973)

Y.K. Lubogo ESQ, “History of Busoga”(Kisubi,Uganda: Marianum Press Ltd, 2020)(Translated and reprint from original written in Luganda)

Music Used

Omukazi Omugamba Lubala, Sound of Africa Series.

Obuwala Bwe Nawandende, ‘’  ‘’

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This story is based on the folklore called "The famine" which was collected by Mrs George Baskerville. I think the name change is more fitting. lol.
The name of the book it was published in is called "The Flame Tree and other folklore."
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Check out my instagram page @twcbupod and Youtube channel for the video version.
https://youtu.be/S64Z0Dfmj3I
I am working on the next historical podcast and video on busoga. It's coming. In the meantime, I'll be posting folklore.
Stay tuned. :)

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Before the modern borders of Eastern Uganda were drawn, there was a land of 68 states known as Busoga. Today, it stands as one of Uganda's five major monarchies. But how did it all begin?

In this premiere episode of our series, we journey back to the pre-colonial foundations of this sacred land. We explore the legendary "Two Fathers" of Busoga: Kintu and Mukama. Were they gods, warriors, or the leaders of great migrations?

Whether tracing the Bantu origins of the South or the Royal Babiito influence of the North, we unravel the myths and historical realities that birthed the many states of Busoga. Join us as we rediscover "Those Who Came Before Us.

 
 Please follow link below. Subscribe and follow.
https://youtu.be/2MGe3WVXKh8

References

David William Cohen, “The Historical Tradition of Busoga; Mukama and Kintu” ( London: Clarendon Press, 1972)

Y.K. Lubogo ESQ, “History of Busoga”(Kisubi,Uganda: Marianum Press Ltd, 2020)(Translated and reprinted from original written in Luganda)

B.A Ogot, "The Great Lakes Region" , "UNESCO General History of Africa IV, Africa from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century" (Heinemann Educational Books, 1981)

The Eclipse Of Biharwe 1520 AD, Biharwe Hill Mbarara (https://www.travel256.com/safari-news/2017/11/the-eclipse-of-biharwe-1520-ad-biharwe-hill-mbarara/) (Nov/2/2017)

Music Used
Infados" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Ominous" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Musirankondo by Kuruseni and Soga Men (Busoga)
Odhiambo Odet by  Ogalo Mirasi (Western Kenya)
Ntajemerwa by The Ntajemerwa Royal Drummers (Bunyoro)
Recorded by Hugh Tracey in the 1950s.

Nva Jinja  by Laty Wizy ft Busoga Stars. Nva Jinja means "I am from Jinja"

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In today’s episode, we talk about the military of  the pre-colonial African kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara.
For most of its history, Bunyoro did not have a standing army. Instead, they relied on the common man to take up arms when called upon by his chiefs. These armies were called Obwesengeze.
That was until the 1870s when Kabaleega created the Abarusura army, a force dedicated to the protection of the state.
The army was led by several commanders such as Rwabudongo, Ireeta, Kikukule, Nyakamatura and Byabachwezi.
Enjoy the episode!!
Sources

Yolamu Ndoleriire Nsamba, Mystique In Sovereigns’ Headgear (Wandsbeck: Reach Publishers, 2016), p208 - 210

G.N. Uzoigwe, Revolution and Revolt in Bunyoro- Kitara (Kampala, Longman Uganda, 1970) 

Shane Doyle, Crisis & Decline in Bunyoro; Population & Environment in Western Uganda 1860 - 1955, (Kampala: Fountain Publishers, 2006) p 42 - 61

J.W. Nyakatura, Anatomy of an African Kingdom (New York: Nok Publishers, 1973) p 138 -153

Edward I. Steinhart, Conflict and Collaboration, The Kingdoms of Western Uganda 1890-1907(New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1977)

Albert Bushnell Lloyd, Uganda to Khartoum: Life and Adventure on the Upper Nile (T. Fisher Unwin, 1906) pg 33

Sir Samuel Baker, Ismailïa: A Narrative of the Expedition to Central Africa for the suppression of Slave Trade (London: Macmillian and CO, 1879) pg 377

Sir Samuel Baker, The Albert-nyanza, Great Basin Of The Nile And Explorations Of The Nile Sources (Outlook Verlag, 2019 ) pg 229 (Reproduction)

Chris Peers, East Africa: Tribal and Imperial Armies in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar, 1800 to 1900: East Africa - Tribal and Imperial Armies in Uganda, Kenya, ... to 1900 (Armies of the Nineteenth Century), ( Foundry, 2004) pg 40-51.

Sound used

Pyscho dog man news video
Burundi war drums
Nsiriba ya Munange Katego (Sound of Africa series)
GTA Type beat (prod XNOVA)

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Before the arrival of Christianity and Islam, the religion of Kubandwa was an East African spirit possession faith practiced by many groups in the great lakes region. It is still practiced today to a much smaller degree and has a terrible/unfair reputation of witchcraft like other indigenous african religions. In this episode, I discuss what the religion must’ve looked like in Pre-colonial Bunyoro. We will talk about what it actually is, what it meant to people and how followers became mediums.

References

John H. Beattie, Initiation into the Cwezi Spirit possession cult in Bunyoro (African Studies, Vol 16, Issue 3, 1957)

John H. Beattie, John Middleton, "Spirit Mediumship and Society in Africa "( London: Routledge Library Editions, 1969)

Yk Bamunoba, "Diviners for the Abagabe", (Uganda Journal Vol 29, Issue 1, 1965)

Shane Doyle, "Cwezi Kubandwa Debate: Gender, Hegemony and Pre-Colonial Religion in Bunyoro, Western Uganda", Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 77, No. 4 (Cambridge University Press Africa: 2007)

Yolamu Ndoleriire Nsamba, "Mystique In Sovereigns’ Headgear "(Wandsbeck: Reach Publishers, 2016)

Cecilia Pennacini, "Religious mobility and body language in Kubandwa possession cults", (Journal of Eastern African Studies Vol 3 No 2 , 2009)

Paul Van Thiel, "Some Preliminary Notes On The Music Of The Cwezi Cult In Ankole" (Western Uganda) (African Music, Vol. 5, No. 3 (1973/1974))

Music

Ankole, West Uganda

• Ekitaaguriro - Iru
• Reeba, mandwa - Hima    
• Ebizooba - Hima

Sound of Africa Series

• Okuturukya Omukama
• Ntajamerwa

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This episode is an attempt to reconstruct the pre-colonial society of Bunyoro.  I discuss their clans, livelihoods, marriage and justice etc. Please note that the information presented was collected during the colonial period in Uganda. Therefore it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that everything was exactly the same as in pre-colonial times. 

Enjoy.

PS: Banyoro, please excuse my butchery of your language. :)                                                                                                                                                             Sources

John Beattie, Bunyoro; An African Kingdom (New York: Holt Rinehart and Winston Inc, 1960) 

John Roscoe: The Bakitara (London: Cambridge University Press, 1923) 

G.N. Uziogwe: Precolonial Markets in Bunyoro-kitara( University of Michigan: Cambridge University Press 1972) 

Yolamu Ndoleriire Nsamba, Mystique In Sovereign Headgear (Wandsbeck: Reach Publishers, 2016), 

Shane Doyle, Crisis & Decline in Bunyoro; Population & Environment in Western Uganda 1860 - 1955, (Kampala: Fountain Publishers, 2006) 

J.K Babiiha, The Uganda Journal; The Journal of Uganda Society Vol 22 No.2 “The Bayaga of Western Uganda” (The Uganda Society Kampala, Sept 1958) p123

Sir James George Frazier, Marriage and Worship in the Early Societies A Treatise on Totemism and Exogamy (New Delhi: Mittal Publications, Jan 1986) p497

Isaabaruuli Isaabarongo Mwogezi Butamanya, “The History of Baruuli/Banyala” (Kampala: Earnest Publishers, 2004)

Background Music Sources

Truth in the Stones Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

“Obugambo bunsemerire ngalyara” recorded by Hugh Tracey.

“Kawamyita wagenda baligira nkaituoha” recorded by Hugh Tracey. It’s a wedding song.

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The following episode is an examination of the kingship and authority in the pre-colonial Bunyoro state.

Sources

John Beattie, Bunyoro; An African Kingdom (New York: Holt Rinehart and Winston Inc, 1960) p181, 

J.W. Nyakatura, Anatomy of an African Kingdom (New York: Nok Publishers, 1973) p26

Yolamu Ndoleriire Nsamba, Mystique In Sovereign Headgear (Wandsbeck: Reach Publishers, 2016), p 93,105,118,119,122

Shane Doyle, Crisis & Decline in Bunyoro; Population & Environment in Western Uganda 1860 - 1955, (Kampala: Fountain Publishers, 2006) p 14 - 15

John Beattie, The Nyoro State  (London: Oxford University Press, 1971) p96- 120, 124-141 

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Great Britain succeeded in forcing the submission of Bunyoro after the 1890's war of conquest.
In their wake was left an utterly dejected people who struggled more than their regional counterparts to adapt to the new status quo.
Their undeserved bad reputation plus their resistance of almost a decade, was reason enough to punish them for a war that had cost the invaders a lot of money.
This is an account of the Bunyoro peoples lives during the colonial period from 1900-1962.

                                                              Sources

Yolamu Ndoleriire Nsamba, Mystique In Sovereigns’ Headgear (Wandsbeck: Reach Publishers, 2016)

G.N. Uzoigwe, Revolution and Revolt in Bunyoro- Kitara (Kampala, Longman Uganda, 1970) 

Shane Doyle, Crisis & Decline in Bunyoro; Population & Environment in Western Uganda 1860 - 1955, (Kampala: Fountain Publishers, 2006) 

Shane Doyle, Population Decline and Delayed Recovery in Bunyoro, 1860-1960; The Journal of African History, Vol. 41, No. 3 (London: Cambridge University Press, 2000)

Shane Doyle, “From Kitara to the Lost Counties: Genealogy, Land and Legitimacy in the Kingdom of Bunyoro, Western Uganda” Social Identities Vol. 12, No. 4 (London: Routledge Taylor & Francis, 2006) 

Yolamu Ndoleriire Nsamba, Breaking Chains of Poverty, Bunyoro - Kitara Kingdom Advocacy Publication (Hoima; Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Royal Palace Karuziika) 

                                              Music Transition Sources

Infados Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Energizing Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/