Banyoro and their Culture Part 5 Banyoro Moon Cerebrations, Banyoro Empango Festivals, Bunyoro Cultural Festivals

Learn about the the Moon and Empango Ceremonies in Banyoro

The Banyoro observed new moon ceremonies.

During a new moon ceremony, people would assemble at the King’s courts to dance to the tune of the music played by the royal bands-men. This was to cerebrate the Omukama’s having lived to see the new moon.

The royal band which comprised about twenty men performed the Ceremony. They participated in relays, playing drums, flutes and other wind instruments.

The festivities of the new moon could go on for a few days at the King’s palace. There was also an annual cerebration which used to go on for a period of nine days. This was arranged so that seven days could be cerebrated at the King’s mother’s enclosure.

This ceremony Empango was normally held in the dry season between December and January. During the colonial period, this ceremony was modified and it was carried out once in tree years for two to three days.

Learn about the traditional Economy of Banyoro

The Banyoro were a highly egalitarian society.

Property was a criterion for distinguishing between superior and inferior persons. Land was an asset of economic importance and it was and was the basis of Bunyoro’s economic activity.

Their staple food included millet, potatoes, bananas, beans and meat. Certain foods were reserved for particular functions. For example a guest’s meal had to consist of millet and meat.

Potatoes were never given to a guest except in times of scarcity. A guest had to be given a meal at whatever time he arrived even if it was after midnight.

The society was stratified into Bairu, Bakama and Bahuma. The Bairu formed the majority population. They did different activities which were locally carried out.

The year was divided into twelve months as follows;

During January (Igesa), there would be harvesting millet.

In February (Nyarakarwa), they did not have much work.

The month was referred to as the months of white ants.

In March (Ijubyamiyonga), fields were prepared for planting simsim.

In May (Rwensisezere), there was not much work. The month was also referred to as the month of white ants.

During the months of July, (ishanya maro), women would prepare fields for millet.

August (Ikokoba) was the months of burning grass in the millet fields and September (Isiga) was for planting millet.

November (Rwensenene) was named after grass hoppers but October (ijuba) was a month of weeding.

Lastly December (Nyamiganura or Katuruko) was a month of rejoicing and festivities as there was little work to occupy the people.

During pre-colonial days, Bunyoro was a center of trade. There was salt trading from the salt deposits of Lake Katwe, Kasenyi and kabiro as well as iron-ore deposits near Masindi.

The Banyoro were excellent iron smiths and this attracted many societies to come to Bunyoro for trade. The Banyoro were also experts in making red-hoes which were much required by the societies east of Lake Kioga particularly the Langi and the Iteso.

Learn about Banyoro Household and Village Set up

The Duties of political authority started from the household. In Bunyoro, the household was in effect a district. It was a Kingdom ruled over by Nyineka (the family head). The status of Nyineka was ideally inherited by the eldest son in the event of death.

The village was politically organized so that the level of cooperation within it was much more pronounced than outside it. Each village had a specially recognized elder known as mukuru w’omugongo. He was selected from among the elders and he acted as an intermediary between them and the chiefs.

Besides, he had an informal court composed of him and a few other elders. This court settled the village disputes.

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