Ghandi’s Shrine
Ghandi’s Shrine in Uganda? It comes as a bit of a surprise, doesn’t
is? Well, there really is Ghandi’s Shrine in Uganda, near the Source of
the Nile. Upon Ghandi’s death in 1948, his ashes were divided up and
sent to many locations around the world to be scattered, and some ended
up in the Nile River at Jinja. Near the source of the Nile plaque is a
small memorial garden commemorating Mahatma Ghandi, the centerpiece is a
bronze bust donated by the Indian government. The place is becoming a
pilgrimage site for Ugandan Indians.
Rock Art Of Teso
Prehistoric rock art typically in red or white is found in eastern
Uganda, in the Teso Districts of Kumi and Soroti. They are found in
Nyero, Kakoro, Obwin Rock, Ngora and Lolui Island on Lake Kyoga. Little
is known about the artists but in order to paint, they sourced from
natural materials. Red pigments were created by scraping the surface
ofred rock while the white paint from a mix of clay, dung and sap. Of
these paintings, the ones at Nyero are more expressive but all are worth
a visit for their archaeological and prehistoric import and interest.
Nsongezi Rock Shelter
It’s one of the most important Stone-Age Sites in Uganda. Excavations
have yielded a large number of stratified pottery shards dating as far
back as 1000 AD into the 19th century which collectively represents the
various style ranges characteristic of the period. Found 75km south of
Mbarara near Kikagati a former mining centre along the Tanzanian border,
it’s worth visiting if interest in archaeology is more than a passing
one.
Ntusi and Bigo Bya Mugenyi Earthworks
Ntusi is the site of
what was the most ancient large human settlement which even predates
the Bachwezi known as the first people. Although evidence of iron
smelting, ivory and wood carving and large amounts of pottery have been
found, one of the most unusual findings at Ntusi is a small fired clay
cylinder covered in knobs- thought to have been used for ritual
divination, and the Ntusi Mounds which are two immense mounds locally
known as the male and female mound. Excavations have shown them to be
deposites of over 300 years. There are several scraped depressions
scattered around the village, the largest being the 20m deep Bwogero
depression which lies 150m from the male mound.
Bigo Bya Mugenyi
Bigo Bya Mugenyi is
the largest and most archaeologically important. Bigo Bya Mugenyi
literally tanslates to mean “ Fort of the Stranger” but according to
tradition, the earthworks were excavated to protect the Chwezi Empire
from incursion from the foreign Luo from Sudan. Most of the earthworks
are deep and excavated from solid rock. Found in Fort Portal, Ntusi is a
walkable distance from the District Head quarters whereas Bigo is much
further and can be got to in a 4X4, although a bicycle is the best way
to get there. Ntusi and Bigo are worth visiting for their historical
and archaeological importance.
Munsa Earthworks
Munsa Earthworks are the second largest in Uganda. Their name is derived
from the Runyoro expression Mu-esa, which means ‘place of trenches’.
The earthworks consist of a network of trenches. The earthworks are 7m
wide and 3 feet deep and V shaped and were definitely excavated to
safeguard the Bachwezi from possible outside attacks. The Bikekete Hill
which is surrounded by the Earthworks is of particular interest because
recent archaeological studies have revealed discoveries of an intact
clay furnace used smelting iron, glass beads suggesting trade with
coastal Swahili and a royal burial chamber deduced as such from the
evidence of human skeletons with one underneath the other- a burial
accorded kings in which a subject was buried with the King to look after
him in the afterlife. At Bikekete Hill there is also a cave once
inhabited by a Chwezi Prince- Kateboha. The earthworks are found in
Mubende, about 40km north.
Nakayima Tree
It is an unusual tree
steeped in spirituality. The tree is a towering 40m in height, many
centuries old and supported by buttressed roots that from the base
create numerous hollows and in these the spirit of Nakayima, a sorceress
is believed to be resident. Although the last sorceress died almost a
100 years ago, it’s an active shrine visited by believers and
worshippers hoping for Nakayima’s blessings. These make offerings of
coins and cowerie shells while her followers occasionally spend nights
by the tree and sacrifice a goat or pig as offering to the sorceress.
The tree is found on the top of Mubende hill.
