Lost Kingdoms of Africa Bunyoro and Buganda (aka Uganda)

Lost Kingdoms of Africa Bunyoro and Buganda (aka Uganda)

BBC (2013)

Film Review

The ancient kingdoms of Bunyoro and Buganda (both presently provinces of Uganda) were dominated by Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake. With prolific agricultural systems, the two kingdoms fought for two centuries over control of East Africa. The region was also very densely populated by pastoralists, who maintained vast herds and engaged in selective breeding.

Some Bunyoro chieftains controlled territory as far south as Tanzania. John Hanning Speke, who seeking the source of the Nile (Lake Victoria) was the first European to make contact 1858. He wrote at length about the two kingdoms in his memoirs. Both were at the height of their power and wealth in the 16th and 17th century.

The Bunyoro believed they were evolved from the Kitare, who created the Chwezi gods and who Ugandan still worship as spirits in Uganda. In Ntusia, a 1000-year old archeological site, artifacts indicated their ancestors were making iron tools and pottery a 1000 year ago. Likewise Bunyoro women have been harvesting salt from the hot springs near Lake Albert at the western edge of the kingdom for 900 years, which as valuable as any precious metal (in 1600), was the foundation of Bunyoro’s economy. Bunyoro salt and metal weapons and tools were traded as far away as Africa’s east coast.

In contrast Buganda’s economy was founded on bananas, their primary inland export, and Buganda ancestor used the plant’s leaves for their huts, its fiber for cord and it’ stems for fences. Drums were especially valued in Buganda, with each clan having its own distinctive rhythm. Until the 18th century, artisans worked the bark of fig trees for distinctive bark cloth cloaks for kings and others of high rank. By 1700, all residents were wearing, and Buganda had to increase their territory to accommodate more fig plantations.

To conquer new island territories and ensure absolute control of Lake Victoria trade, built a network of roads to accommodate inland trade and a sizeable navy of massive canoes accommodating 60-100 rowers. The latter escorted traders from the east coast directly to Buganda. Swahili and Arab traders from the eat coast mostly sought ivory and slaves. These traders brought guns to the region, enabling hereditary kings to establish a standing army.

Buganda began occupying parts of Bunyoro (where power was less centralized and chieftains) to cut its traders off from Lake Albert and the salt fields. In the 18th century, trying to reverse Bunyoro’s economic and political decline, King Kabalega also obtained guns and sought Henry Morgan Stanley’s help in inviting British missionaries from the east coast.*

Concerns about about Bunyoro’s military power, led Bungunda’s king to plead for British military intervention. In 1894, Britain made Buganda a British protectorate. In 1896, they expanded the protectorate to include Bunyoro. The latter subsequently lost 3/4 of its population, with tens of thousands killed in military skirmishes and event more dying of famine or fleeing the kingdome.  Bunyoro and Buganda eventually (and unsuccessfully) united against the British in 1897.

*Stanley convinced him divine intervention was necessary to end recurrent epidemics and squabbling between clan chieftains.