The Konjo , Ba Konzo (pl. Bakonzo , sing. Mukonzo ), or Konzo , are a Bantu ethnic group located in the Rwenzori region of Southwest Uganda in districts that include; Kasese, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu and Ntoroko districts.
52-742: The Bankonzo are also known as the Bayiira or Banande or Abanyarwenzururu and they are composed of 14 Clans and different totems. (Ebihanda 14 ebyaba'yiira n'emitsiro). They speak the Konjo language and practice traditional religions , Islam and Christianity . Konzo speakers also live on the Western slopes of the Rwenzori range in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . Numbering 850,646 in
104-557: A day that is every morning and evening, the Bathande had to sit in cold river water as part of their healing process and they had to go back home after they have completely healed. The healing process took one to two months. There were taboos connected with the Olhusumba such as; Women would only be allowed at the Olhusumba site only at the beginning of the ceremony to participate in the traditional dance called " Omukumu " and also on
156-417: A feedback which can be a letter or verbal message is sent back to the man's (husband to be) family through their daughter with the agreed upon time when they should come and visit them and get to know them better. The purpose of Erisunga is to know where the woman (bride to be) is born from and also to discuss about the dowry ( Omukagha ) or bride price that a man's (groom to be) family is supposed to take to
208-399: A long time during labour, failure to produce, operations during birth and even death during birth. If a mukonzo man marries a woman from the same clan, Embene yo Buwuma is slaughtered and the blood was let to flow on the ground to cleanse any curse that would come as a result of that marriage. It was believed that if one married a person of his or her clan, then the blood would "fight" and
260-616: A man who is not circumcised. Most of the male children are circumcised when they were between the ages of eight (08) and eighteen(18). The Bankozo had an annual mass circumcision ceremony/ritual called " Olhusumba " but it was last held in 1973 after it was challenged by the Christianity that was growing in the Rwenzori region back then but it is being revived. And this made parents to start taking their boys to hospitals or inviting people who can circumcise to their homes. The same ritual
312-422: A member of her husband's family and that is where she will be buried no matter what happens to them. The goats are always passed through the house where the dowry meeting was held and if the goats urinated in the process of passing through the house, it was a sign of good omen. If goats hesitated passing thorough the house, water would be poured on them so they passed through the house. If a woman got pregnant and
364-510: A modern trend/tradition that was copied from other cultures and many Bankonzo have adopted it. And under this trend, it is when the groom comes to pick his wife on this after paying his family the omukagha and he does not attend the Eritahya. A girl's giveaway ceremony is held on a different day where the wife is officially given to her newly wed husband. The man's family brings appreciation gifts which include; dresses for nyamwana (the mother of
416-556: A similar climate to that of Mt. Elgon where they had originally lived. This is said to have been around A.D. 1300. Another tradition asserts that the Bakonzi have lived on Mount Rwenzori from time immemorial and that they have no foreign place of origin. This tradition asserts that the ancestor of the Bakonzo emerged from one of the caves of Mount Rwenxori and produced the rest of the Bakonzo. The Bakonzo name their children according to
468-510: Is a Bantu language spoken by the Konzo people of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo . It has a 77% lexical similarity with Nande . There are many dialects, including Sanza (Ekisanza). Konzo is characterized by distinguishing advanced and retracted tongue root . List of basic phrases and words. This Uganda -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Bantu language -related article
520-478: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Omusinga of Rwenzururu Omusinga of Rwenzururu ( Konjo : Omusinga wa Rwenzururu ) is the royal title given to the monarchs of the Kingdom of Rwenzururu . The title was technically held by Charles Mumbere for over 43 years after the first Omusinga, his father Isaya Mukirania , died in 1966. However, Mumbere was not formally crowned and recognised by
572-530: Is agreed upon), a hoe ( Eyisuuka ), bed sheets wrapped in a blanket, a matress, a goat for the mother-in-law and Omuseye wa Maama. In the old days, the Omuseye wa maama was a metallic silver or gold wrist band to confirm that confirmation that you have made an agreement with that family to last for eternity. But in these days, Omuseye wa maama includes; A gomesi , shoes, Ekikoye (thick cotton fabric worn underneath), Ekitambalha kyo kwamutwe (a cloth that covers on
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#1732779529696624-631: Is also Musa Baluku the leader of the ISCAP (Islamic State - Central Africa Province). Legend has it that the Bakonzo once lived on Mount Elgon in Eastern Uganda and that during the Kintu migrations, the Bakonzo came with Kintu to Buganda. However, rather than settle in Buganda, the Bakonzo are said to have decided to continue until they finally settled on the western highlands of Mt. Rwenzori which had
676-401: Is called Erityandilha. After he constructs then he is given the girl. If the girl felt uncomfortable in her new house, she go back and sleep with her mother-in-law who later convinces her to go back to her husband's house. The traditional marriages that started that way lasted longer because of the strong bonds and family ties that were created from childhood to adulthood. But nowadays, both
728-582: Is held by the Nandi community of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Bamba/Babwisi tribes. The ritual took a period of one to two months. The Abathende alias Bathende (candidates to be circumcised) were grouped together and made Olhuthende (match/pilgrimage to the Olhusumba ceremonial venue). When a mukonzo circumicised man died, a special tradition dance called " Omukumu " was performed among his final funeral rights. The dance
780-492: Is safe to drink that is that it the Ekongotha does not contain poison or anything suspicious that might harm their family and that the tonto is ready and well prepared. And also the person chosen by the bride-to-be's family uses the same cup to taste the Ekongotha to confirm that it is safe for other family members to drink. The purpose of the Ekongotha was to soften the hearts of the people in the meeting so that they do not hike
832-407: Is she supposed to do and when, how she is supposed to handle her man, how to handle challenges, or even seek guidance among other affairs. When the parents-in-law felt that it was time for their children to start a family, the father-in-law would go and cut down poles and a bundle of reeds ( Esiiseke) and take the boy to where he will construct a house where he will stay with his wife. This process
884-542: Is supposed to dictate what amount he will give for Ekisiimo because someone is supposed to live within his means and they should not be over expectant of man. But in the old days, the " Ekisiimo " used to be money. It is the Ekisiimo that the woman would use to introduce his relationship with her to her parents whether to a mother or father but most women inform their mothers, she would use Ekisiimo to buy for herself new things such as clothes, and also she would give some of
936-403: Is the priest that hands over the hand of the bride to the groom. From the time the priest hands over the bride to the groom, the couple has to hold hands until they move out of the church. The songali (aunt of the bride) has to escort the bride (their daughter) to her new home. And on the wedding night of their virgin daughter, the aunt of the bride has to sleep in the same room with the bride and
988-475: The 2002 Census of Uganda, 44.1% of Bakonzo are Anglican ( Church of Uganda ), 28.7% are Roman Catholic , 15.4% are Seventh-day Adventist , 6.9% are Muslim , 3.1 are Pentecostal and 1.5% follow other religions. The Konzo were part of the armed Rwenzururu movement against the Toro Kingdom and central government that reached heights in the mid-1960s and early 1980s. In 2008, the government recognized
1040-470: The 2014 census, they live on the plains, hills and mountain sloping up to an altitude of 2,200 meters in the Rwenzori Mountains. Traditionally agriculturalists and animal husbanders , they farm yams , beans , sweet potatoes , peanuts , soy beans , potatoes , rice , wheat , cassava , coffee , bananas , Cocoa and cotton , while keeping goats , sheep , and poultry . According to
1092-593: The Bakonzo clan has another Bankonzo clan which they regard as their "fake enemy". For example, the Bakira's "fake enemy" are the Bahira clan. The " Abasu Banyangalba" is the royal clan. If someone is not born from the royal clan, he shall never become Omusinga of Rwenzururu . A Mukonzo male is not considered a man if is not circumcised and he may not marry because Bakonzo women are not usually attracted to uncircumcised men and also no family would give out their daughter to
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#17327795296961144-469: The Ekiisimo to her aunt ( Songali wesonga ) who will take her for marriage. But the woman (bride to be) is supposed to declare how much she was given to her mother and also what she has spent and on what things/items. From the share she gave her mother, her mothers uses some of the money to buy for her father a present or something he wants because it is her mother that knows what her husband wants. After
1196-600: The Rwenzururu Kingdom, formed by the Konjo and Amba peoples , as Uganda's first kingdom shared by two tribes. Since July 2014, secessionist ambitions have led to armed clashes in which dozens have died. Rwenzururu kingdom has witnessed episodes of bloodshed the recent notable one being that of November 2016; a conflict between the government of the republic of Uganda and the Rwenzururu kingdom. This conflict saw
1248-518: The aunt of the groom on the give away function. If the bride's elder brother is younger than her, a cousin brother of the bride is the one to hand over the bride. Going to church or the mosque was optional in the old traditions of the Bakonzo. But in modern traditions of Bakonzo, some couples go to the places of worship to exchange wedding vows and also exchange wedding rings. And it is the Mukodomi / Bonde (the elder brother's sister) that hands over
1300-407: The back or behind her mother-in-law ( Mabyalha ) on the same bed with father-in-law ( Tatabyalha ) until she reached the age of in between fourteen (14) to sixteen (16) depending on how faster the parents-in-law want that girl to be married to their son and start their family. The girl is trained and groomed by her mother-in-law on marital affairs such as what is expected of her by her husband, what
1352-399: The back until she grows up to a certain age. To make that skin, a goat or sheep would be skinned from its neck up to its hooves, and it was that skin from the legs that would be used as straps but they would still be part of the skin. When a girl that was booked reached the age of eight (08), she would be informed about the home she would be married to and once in a while, she would be sent to
1404-438: The balance is cleared on the give away day. And Embene yeri saba (a female goat for requesting for the bride) is brought on this day. It is a female goat because they expect that the newly wed couple is going to give birth to children but of course the wife is might be barren or the man impotent. The bonde aka Omukwe, Muko (bride's elder brother) is the one who holds the hand of the bride (his sister) and hands her over
1456-459: The boy and a girl are raised from their families. But when a boy and a girl pick interest in each other, the boy/man gives a letter to a girl confirming that he has loved her and he will marry her. And when she agrees, a man is supposed to give her a gift " Ekisiimo " which is not supposed to be a fixed amount but it can be anything that a man feels that the woman he has chosen deserves from the bottom of his heart within his providing means and no one
1508-414: The boy's family whether he is hard working and well behaved. It was believed that if two children from two well behaved families married, they would produce children of good character as that of their parents. Parents were also allowed to book for a girl even if that family ( Erihiika ) has not yet produced any girl and to confirm their interest, the family of the boy would take a goat's or Sheep skin that
1560-417: The bride to the groom both at the give away ceremony and also in church or mosque. The bonde aka (Omukwe, Muko) is the one who holds the hand of the bride (his sister) and walks her down the isle in the church until the bride sits next to the groom. The groom and the bride are not allowed to hold or shake hands. It is the priest that invites the bonde to hand over the right hand of bride to him and it
1612-498: The bride) and abasongali (aunts) for educating the bride about marriage affairs and what is expected of her., a suit for the father of bride, sugar, paraffin, match boxes, seats (sofa sets or dinning chairs), bars of soap, salt, mattress, water tanks among other things. The appreciation gifts are optional. But also in case the Omukagha was not fully paid for many reasons such as the girl's family requested for many things for omukagha,
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1664-410: The children. And also the wives of the uncles are called mothers by the children whether they are the one who gave birth to them or not. The Bankonzo are also known as the Bayiira or Banande or Abanyarwenzururu and they have 14 clans and different totems. (Ebihanda 14 ebyaba'yiira n'emitsiro). The clans have to protect their totems as in they are not allowed to harm, kill or eat their totems. Each of
1716-537: The death of hundreds of people and others arrested including the king His Majesty Charles Mumbere and his then prime minister Thembo Kistumbire.Houses of both the Bankonzo and Bamba/Babwisi were burnt. Notable Bakonjo include Amon Bazira , a political figure instrumental in the negotiations that ended the 1980s conflict, and Charles Mumbere , named the Omusinga (king), of the Rwenzururu Kingdom. A very known Mukonzo
1768-470: The dowry items to check whether you can manage it or by someone who does not want you to get married in their family. Erisunga also requires a Fumura kigambo (ice breaker for the dowry conversation) which is a physical goat and it is slaughtered in case the bride-to-be's family had not yet slaughtered another animal. The Bakonzo marriage is only recognised after the Omukagha (dowry or bride price) that
1820-414: The fact they bare the pain circumcision and also treat the wound with only herbs and water. Olhusumba was not for babies but boys between the age of eight (8) and eighteen(18). Olhusumba site contained one hut called " Omupinda" which is located near or at a river and it would be purposely constructed for that ceremony and dismantle it after the ceremony. The river was used as a treatment place. Twice
1872-456: The factors that lead to the ending of the ritual included; The Bakonzo still carry out traditional marriages. The marriage among the Bakonzo required a man to be circumcised. And all unmarried girls where required to be virgins. Girls who become pregnant before marriage would be executed. Early child marriages and also cross generational marriage exist among the Bakonzo that is someone of 50+ years marrying someone in their early 20s. Premarital sex
1924-522: The family of the boy after making research about their family. And if a girl or boy insisted on marrying each other after being rejected by the family then they would not get blessings from their parents. On the agreed upon dates for erisunga, the groom-to-be's family is supposed to bring Ekongotha (this is local brew known as Tonto in Ekisya a big Calabash that can accommodate 40 litres or two jerry cans of 20 litres each) but nowadays it depends on
1976-468: The family you are visiting on that day basing on religion and also beliefs, some Bakonzo families prefer crates of Soda (which must be not more than three (03) and crates of Beer . When the groom-to-be's family reaches the bride-to-be's home, the one carrying the Ekongotha is helped to lift it down, and he or she is supposed to take a sip of the Ekongotha ( Engotho ) to show the girl's family that it
2028-405: The girl/woman (bride to be) informs her mother about the man she has chosen to be her husband and also the time when they are ready to visit her family. The mother later informs her husband about her daughters marriage issue while she also presents the present she bought using her share from the ekisiimo. And then research about the man to be their son-in-law is done such as the family background. And
2080-432: The groom to solve or guide on any issues that might arise during the couple's wedding night especially during the couple's first sexual intercourse. And it is when the husband will determine whether the bride was a virgin or not and report to the aunt who stayed in the room with them and also to his uncle. Konjo language (Bantu) The lhukonzo (Konzo) language, variously rendered Lukonzo , Olukonzo , and konzo ,
2132-456: The head), a gomesi sash and also a money of any amount that might be used to buy undergarments or it can be used to paying the tailors. Omuseye wa maama is meant to appreciate the Mabalya (mother-in-law) for the efforts the mother she has done to nurture her daughter. But some families can combine both erisunga and erithahya due to the available resources such as time and money. Give away is
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2184-427: The home of the family that booked her to deliver somethings or even to play and grow up the other kids of that home to learn their behaviour and how they do certain things until when she reached the age of ten (10) and be officially be handed over to that family. But she would not be staying with her husband to be because, the boy would also be in the range of twelve (12) to fourteen (14) years but she would be sleeping in
2236-580: The last day of ceremony when the "new men" (the Abathende who had completely healed) are ushered out of the Omupinda. Only the women who danced the Omukumu where allowed to dismantled the Omupinda. And after the dance the circumcised men were allowed to go home. The parents of the child who has shown no healing progress or any signs of scabies would be fined as a purnishment for invading culture. Some of
2288-427: The marriage ceremony, her entire family sits in a circular form/arrangement and every family member carries her on their thighs/laps until reaches the last person (who is usually the head of that family) who hugs her for the last time. That is why most Bakonzo married women are not allowed to hug their fathers and also be carried by them because they hugged them for their last time indicating that she has officially become
2340-405: The precedence of birth where by each surname indicates someone's birth rank or birth order that is whether the child is the first born, second born up to the last born. The boys have eight names whereas the girls have eight names. Female given names The Bakonzo families are broken down into a Nuclear family and also an extended family . Among the Bakonzo, the uncles are also called fathers by
2392-401: The process of paying dowry was in progress and her family learns of the pregnancy then a goat called Embene eye Eyakibanga is slaughtered and its blood is let to flow on the ground before it is even entered into the house to act as a sacrifice to the gods but currently the tradition is no longer practiced. The Embene ye Kibanga was slaughtered to prevent prolonged pregnancies, spending
2444-582: The wife would get miscarriages, or even the wife would not produce or even she would give to babies would later die. The slaughter symbolised that the other relationship of brother and sister had been ended and they were not supposed to annoy or hurt each other not matter the differences that came up. This tradition is still practiced in these days. Twelve (12) Ebisya of Tonto (or 24 jerry cans of 20 litres each which can also be 12 crates of soda and 12 crates of beer), twelve (12) goats (which can be all physical goats or some as physical and others in form of money that
2496-469: The woman's family to be able to marry their daughter. It is only the woman's (bride to be) family that is supposed to cater for all the costs of the erisunga ceremony without any help from the man's (groom to be) family. It is only the Abatatha (the father and Uncles of the groom-to-be) that go for this function. The groom-to-be is not supposed to attend this function. The girl's family may accept or reject
2548-465: Was agreed upon during the Erisunga has been paid to the girl's family on the day of erithahya . And the groom-to-be would go with his family on the agreed upon dates to the girl's home and hand over the Omukagha to the bride-to-be's family and a celebration that involves eating and dancing is carried out amdist the witnesses of their marriage. When the bride is leaving to go to her husband home after
2600-444: Was only performed by circumcised men where allowed to dance with women and also do the drumming. A cleansing ceremony had to first be done for those men who did not do Olhuthende as his penis was not designed with dots around it. Among the Bankonzo, erabania is not only practiced for health reasons but it also believed that it improves the sexual performance of a male. Erabania is also believed to turn boys into brave and fearless men do
2652-429: Was prohibited among the Bakonzo. Booking of the spouses at an early age was carried out between two families that were living close to each other. In the old days, parents had to choose the girl ( Omwalyana ) for their son after doing more research about the girl's family . The boy had no choice in choosing his bride/wife ( Omwalyana ) to be. And it was the responsibility of the girl's family to also do research about
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#17327795296962704-453: Was soften using oil of Embono to the family head of the chosen family to show that they have booked any girl that shall be produced from that family especially when the wife to the head of the family is pregnant. And if a boy is produced, still the family that brought the skin, will be patiently waiting until a girl is produced. When a girl child is produced, it was the goat's or sheep's skin that would be used to carry that born girl child on
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