Culture

The culture of Uganda is made up of a complex and diverse range of ethnic groups. Lake Kyoga forms the northern boundary for the Bantu-speaking peoples, who dominate much of east, central and southern Africa. In Uganda they include the Baganda and several other tribes. In the north live the Lango and the Acholi, who speak Nilotic languages. To the east are the Iteso and Karamojong, who speak a Nilotic language. A few Pygmies live isolated in the rainforests of western Uganda.

Cuisine

The Cuisine of Uganda consists of traditional cooking with English, Arab and Asian (especially Indian) influences. Like the cuisines of most countries, it varies in complexity, from the most basic, (a starchy filler with a sauce of beans or meat), to several-course meals served in upper-class homes and high-end restaurants.

Main dishes are usually centred on a sauce or stew of groundnuts, beans or meat. The starch traditionally comes from ugali (maize meal) or matoke (boiled and mashed green banana), in the South, or an ugali made from millet in the North. Cassava, yam and African sweet potato are also eaten; the more affluent include white (often called "Irish") potato and rice in their diets. Soybean was promoted as a healthy food staple in the 1970s and this is also used, especially for breakfast. Chapati, an Asian flatbread, is also part of Ugandan cuisine.

Chicken, fish (usually fresh, but there is also a dried variety, reconstituted for stewing), beef, goat and mutton are all commonly eaten, although among the rural poor there would have to be a good reason for slaughtering a large animal such as a goat or a cow, and nyama, (Swahili word for "meat") would not be eaten every day.

Various leafy greens are grown in Uganda. These may be boiled in the stews, or served as side dishes. Amaranth (dodo), nakati, and borr are examples of regional greens.

Ugali is cooked up into a thick porridge for breakfast. For main means, white flour is added to the saucepan and stirred into the ugali until the consistency is firm. It is then turned out onto a serving plate and cut into individual slices (or served onto individual plates in the kitchen).

Music

Each ethnic group has its musical history; songs are passed down from generation to generation. Ndigindi and entongoli (lyres), ennanga (harp), amadinda (xylophone) and lukeme (lamellophone - thumb piano) are commonly played instruments.

Acholi

Acholi folk music is, like most Ugandan music, pentatonic. It is distinctive for choral singing in parts, and the region boasts numerous well-known church choirs. Also instruments include the harp-like Adungu and numerous percussion instruments. An Acholi, Okot p'Bitek, is one of Uganda's most famous writers of folklore, satirical poems and songs. His book Song of Lawino (1966) describes the stories told in Acholi songs.

Baganda

Buganda is the southern most region of Uganda. The people in this region are known as the Baganda (one of the largest tribes in Uganda). This region has also had one of the longest reigning monarchies in Uganda. The Kingdom of Buganda is ruled by a king (known as "Kabaka"), who traditionally has been the main patron of the music of Buganda. Music includes massive and sacred drums, and a variety of vibrant dances such as Bakisimba, Nankasa, Amaggunju (an exclusive dance developed in the palace for the Kabaka).

The Baganda also have a wide variety of melodic musical instruments ranging from Chordophones like the ennanga harp and the entongoli lyre, lamellophones, aerophones, drums and idiophones; this region boasts one of the largest xylophone (called "Madinda") traditions in Sub Saharan Africa. There are two types of xylophones, the amadinda and the larger akadinda. Musicians from this region include Albert Ssempeke, Evalisto Muyinda, Nandujja and the late Elly Wamala.

Basoga

Busoga is in the south eastern part of Uganda. The Basoga music shows similarities to the music of Buganda. The Busoga xylophone is called Embaire and is used in the courtly music of the Busoga court. The compository principles of embaire music are similar to those of the amadinda music of Buganda.

Lango

The Langi live in the central area of Uganda, north of Lake Kyoga. The okeme (thumb piano) is popular since being brought in the early 20th century by Congolese porters. Group vocals akin to rapping are common, and can including rhythmic dancing featuring stomping and jumping.