1. DESCRIBE THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ORGANISATION OF BUGANDA UPTO 1855?

1. DESCRIBE THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ORGANISATION OF BUGANDA UPTO 1855?

Approach

• Give a brief background of Buganda.

• Describe/clearly explain the social, political and economic organization of Buganda

• Conclude.

Background to the question

• Buganda was one of the numerous kingdoms which sprung up after the collapse of the vast Chwezi Empire.

• It was established in the North western shores of Lake Victoria and East of Bunyoro.

• The people of Buganda were known as Baganda.

Political organization.

1. The Kabaka was the political head with a highly centralized administrative

2. His powers were hereditary and absolute i.e. had control 0ver life and death of his subjects.

3. He could appoint, promote, demote and dismiss any of his chiefs with in consulting anybody.

4. Next to him in command was the Katikkiro (chief minister)

5 Other prominent chiefs apart from the Katikkiro were the Ornulami (Chief justice) and Omuwanika (finance minister).

6. Then followed by nobles (abakungu), clan heads (abakulu b'ebika), co, chiefs (ab'amasaza), sub-county chiefs (ab'amagomboloJa) parish chief (ab'emiruka) sub-parish chiefs (abatongole),

7. Chiefs were responsible for mobilizing the people for public work in the regions.

8. Buganda had a legislative council called the Lukiiko made up of clan heads, Kabaka's appointees and county chiefs.

9. Its work was to formulate laws and advise the Kabaka.

10. Had a strong standing army known as Abasirikale, this included the royal bodyguards (abambowa)

11. The queen mother (Namasole) and queen sister (Lubuga) were also important persons at the king's court.

12. Promotion was based on merit; a person would only rise to high position if he exhibited the ability to do things efficiently.

Economic organization.

13. Agriculture was the backbone of Buganda's economy, they grew 1atool as their staple food and crops like yams, sweat potatoes, beans cassava among others.

14. There was division of labour, men cleared gardens, engaged in trade and fishing, yet women planted and harvested.

15. Baganda also domesticated animals like cattle; sheep, pigs, goats and chicken for meat, milk and eggs. They used Hiima herdsmen (Balaalo) on their farms.

16. They also carried out fishing especially those on the shores of Lake Victoria and the islands of Ssese.

17. They also hunted wild animals like elephants for ivory, Buffalo, antelope- and pigs for meat, leopards for skins. The Kabaka also hunted in his free time.

18. The bark cloth making industry made high quality bark cloth that they found market outside the kingdom.

I 9. Practiced iron-working where knives, swords, bangles, axes, pangas and hoes were made.

20. The Baganda also participated in Long Distance Trade with the coastal

Arabs supplying mainly slaves and ivory in exchange for guns, clothes and glass ware.

21. They also engaged in craft work like making canoes, mats, beads and necklaces.

22. Baganda also received revenue from tributary states like Karagwe and Busoga. These were supposed to pay an annual subscription to the Kabaka as part of their alliance.

23. Taxation was another form of revenue for the kingdom.

24. There was also the raiding of neighbouring societies like Bunyoro, Busoga and Kooki for slaves, Cattle and ivory.

Social organisation

26. Ganda society was organized on a clan basis. Arumal, fish, plant names were given as totems e.g. Bush buck (Engabi), edible rat (omusu) etc.

27. The king (Kabaka) belonged to the mother’s clan and this ensured loyalty as each clan dreamt of producing the Kabaka.

28. Each clan was supposed to supply the Kabaka with a wife

29. Society was divided in classes i.e. Royal Family (Abalangira n 'abam': the nobles (abakungu n’ abataka), clan heads, the commoners or pc (abakopi) and the slaves (abaddu).

30. Among the Baganda were diviners (abalubaale) who consulted the government on behalf of others. They always asked for gifts like cows, goats, Sheep.

31. Religiously, the Kabaka was the spiritual leader of Buganda, he was considered semi-divine with direct contact with ancestors.

32. Baganda believed in small gods (Balubaale) e.g. Musoke for rain. D. for hunting, Walurnbe for death and Mukasa for water bodies.

33. They also believed in witchcraft. Sorcerers (Abalogo) were consul' by those who wanted to harm others and were greatly feared.

34. Baganda also believed in a super natural being called Katonda or Liisoddene. This Lubaale cult was built on worship of spirits of the dead.

35. Baganda dressed in backcloth, animal skins, beads and necklaces, those from royal family wore skins of Animals like Antelopes, leopards and lions.

36. Royal regalia that included drums, spears, stools and animal skins were symbols of power among the Baganda,

37. The Ganda housing system was bee hive shaped with wooden poles and grass thatched.

38. Baganda spoke a similar language known as Luganda which enhanced unity.

39. Marriage was polygamous, the more children a man could have the more prestige he could Cournand. However, marriage was not allowed between close relatives and people of the same clan.

40. There were royal burial grounds at Kasubi (Amasiro) for Kings and Ebijja for commoners.

41. Respect for elders was a must.

42. There was also a class of herbalists who treated those who were sick.

43. Boat racing, wrestling and dances were common forms of entertainment among the Baganda.

N.B: This Monarchy was abolished by president Milton Obote in 1967 however in 1993 it was revived by the 'NRM government with Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II as its Kabaka.

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