Info For Y'all Acholi People: The Famous E African Spiritually Together With Martially Powerful People Amongst Culturally Unique Mato Oput Judge Together With Reconciliation Rituals Ceremony
"Without civilization you lot are no one, without civilization you lot are dead" Paramount Chief of Acholi, David Onen Acana II
Acholi dancers from northern Uganda
The Acholi or Acoli are component division of Luo-speaking Nilotic people of East Africa who lives predominantly inward Northern Republic of Uganda (an expanse commonly referred to equally Acholiland), including the districts of Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Nwoya, Lamwo, in addition to Pader; in addition to Magwe County inward South Sudan. Prior to colonialism, the people known today equally the Acholi referred to themselves equally An-loco-li, which agency “I am a human being”, or “black” (Doom 1999, 10). . The label An-loco-li did non have got whatever ethnic delineations or geographical boundaries initially, although the Acholi people had a collective identity encapsulated inward cultures in addition to customs that governed their existence for thousands of years. As a outcome of the Acholi people’s self-understanding equally human beings, they embraced peaceful coexistence amongst themselves in addition to their immediate neighbors (Doom 1999, 11). However, since the colonial period, the Acholi people developed a distinct ethnic identity that characterizes them equally “northerners” or dark people, something that sets them apart from the people inward the “South” commonly referred to equally southerners. Another theory also posits that during the bit one-half of the nineteenth century Arabic-speaking traders from the northward started to telephone telephone them Shooli, a term which transformed into 'Acholi'.
Acholi human being performing Acholi tribal state of war dance
The Acholi were considered a martial people yesteryear the British, in addition to many joined the military. Kasozi (1994) said at that topographic point has been a developed myth that the Acholi are martial race in addition to a warlike-people because old Ugandan president Milton Obote used their strength inward the regular army to consolidate his government. However, i would realize that speaking Acholi is i of the gateways into the world of Luo, i of the major cultures of Africa spanning across southern Sudan in addition to northwestern Kenya. Their complex customs in addition to social organization, their traditions of conflict resolution, their variety of specialized dances,and their rich stuff civilization are some of the attractions to studying the civilization in addition to arts of the Acholi people. It is estimated that to a greater extent than or less 1.677, 000 Acholi people lives inward Republic of Uganda in addition to nigh 58,000 lives inward Southern Southern inward Opari Disrict, Acholi Hills.
Famous Pan-Africanist Okot p'Bitek,an Acholi tribe man, poet in addition to writer of the Song of Lawino
The Acholi are ever inward the international intelligence since 1986 over wars inward Northern Republic of Uganda in addition to in recent times equally a outcome of the warfare activities of i of their sons, Joseph Kony, leader of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army. Apart from Koney, the Acholi people have got other of import people of national in addition to international standing such as Okot p'Bitek, poet in addition to writer of the Song of Lawino, Olara Otunnu, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children in addition to Armed Conflict in addition to UPC Presidential Candidate inward 2011, Matthew Lukwiya, physician at the forefront of the 2000 Ebola outbreak, which took his life, Tito Okello, President of Uganda for vi months inward 1985 (though he referred to himself only equally 'Head of State'), Geoffrey Oryema, exiled singer, Janani Luwum, old Archbishop of the (Anglican) Church of Uganda, murdered yesteryear President Idi Amin, Bazilio Olara-Okello, de facto Head of State for vi months inward 1985 in addition to later Chief of Defence Forces, Alice Auma aka Lakwena, spirit medium in addition to rebel leader etc!
Olara Otunnu,an Acholi tribe man, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children in addition to Armed Conflict in addition to UPC Presidential Candidate inward 2011
Location
Acholiland or "Acholi-land" (also known equally the Acholi sub-region) is an inexact term that refers to the part traditionally inhabited yesteryear the Acholi. In the administrative construction of Uganda, Acholi is composed of the districts of Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya and Pader.
Acholi human being standing on a rock,Gulu,Uganda. courtesy Charlie Shoemaker
Under the decentralisation policy of the government, creation of some other district, Omoro, is inward the offing. It encompasses nigh 28,500 km2 (11,000 foursquare miles) nigh the Uganda-Sudan border.
Its electrical flow population is estimated to live about 600,000 individuals, or 4 per cent of the total national population. While Acholi also alive northward of the South Sudanese border, the Sudanese Acholi are often excluded from the political pregnant of the term "Acholiland".
Map of Acholiland
The word 'Acholi' is a misnomer that became adopted for convenience over the years. It refers to people known locally equally Luo Gang. That is why the Langi neighbours refer to the Acholi equally Ugangi, pregnant people of the home.
Acholi woman
The Acholi homeland has been crucible of conflict since 1986. The Republic of Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF), commanded until 2006 yesteryear General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the president of Uganda, has fought dissimilar insurgent groups such equally Ugandan People Democratic Army (UPDA) nether Udong Latek, the Holy Spirit Movement Forces (HSMF), nether Alice Auma Lakwena, the Holy Spirit Movement Forces II of Severino Lukoya in addition to the Lord`s Resistance Army/Movement (LRA/M) of Joseph Koney. Until 2006, the LRA/M of Joseph Koney remained the most resistant to defeat despite government`s highly praised armed forces operations, such equally "Operation Lightening Thunder" inward Dec 2003.
Geoffrey Oryema,an Acholi tribe human being in addition to exiled singer. Read all nigh his songs here:geoffrey-oryema-african-odysseus.html
Acholi is a Luo-Nilotic linguistic communication primarily spoken yesteryear the Acholi people inward the districts of Gulu, Kitgum in addition to Pader, a part known equally Acholiland inward northern Uganda. Acholi is also spoken inward the southern component division of the Opari District of Sudan. It spoken yesteryear nigh 1.735,000 people inward Republic of Uganda in addition to South Sudan. Song of Lawino, well known inward African literature, was written inward Acholi yesteryear Okot p'Bitek, although its sequel, Song of Ocol, was written inward English
Acholi, Alur in addition to Lango have got betwixt 84 in addition to xc per centum of their vocabulary inward mutual in addition to thus are
mutually intelligible.The languageis spoken inward iii dialects: Labwor, Nyakwai, Dhopaluo (Chopi, Chope).
The number of speakers is believed to have got grown to a total of to a greater extent than than a 1000000 people at theturn of the
century.
Acholi tribe dancers,Uganda. Photo by Charlie Shoemaker
Mythology
Legend asserts that Luo was the firstly man. He had no human parents. He is said to have got sprung from the ground. It is taken that his begetter was Jok (God) in addition to that his woman parent was Earth. The legend adds that Luo’s boy Jipiti, whose woman parent is unknown, had a immature lady called Kilak. Kilak is believed to have got conceived a son, Lubongo, whose begetter was said to live the devil, Lubanga. Lubongo was the firstly inward the job of Rwot – the chiefs of Payera, the dominant Acholi clan.
Acholi warrior,Gulu,Uganda
History
The Acholi people of northern Republic of Uganda are component division of cattle-keeping Luo-speakers who migrated from their homeland along the Nile River inward Southern Sudan inward the sixteenth century in addition to settled inward dissimilar parts of East Africa (Atkinson 1994, 78.). The Acholi migrated due south to northern Republic of Uganda from the expanse similar a shot known equally Bahr el Ghazal inward South Sudan yesteryear nigh 1,000 CE. Starting inward the belatedly seventeenth century, a novel sociopolitical monastic tell developed amongst the Luo of northern Uganda, mainly characterized yesteryear the formation of chiefdoms headed yesteryear Rwodi (sg. Rwot, 'ruler').
Acholi menage unit of measurement inward the 1870s
The chiefs traditionally came from i clan, in addition to each chiefdom had several villages made upwards of dissimilar patrilineal clans. By the mid-nineteenth century, nigh threescore minor chiefdoms existed inward eastern Acholiland. During the bit one-half of the nineteenth century, Arabic-speaking traders from the northward started to telephone telephone them Shooli, a term which was transformed into 'Acholi'.
Acholi-Luo people.Circa 1910
Their traditional communities were organised hamlets, where their dwellings were circular huts with a high peak, furnished with a mud sleeping-platform, jars of grain in addition to a sunk fireplace. The women daubed the walls with mud, decorating them with geometrical or conventional designs inward red, white or grey. The men were skilled hunters, using nets in addition to spears. They also kept goats, sheep in addition to cattle. The women were also accomplished agriculturists, growing in addition to processing a variety of nutrient crops, including millet, simsim, groundnuts, peas, sorghum, vegetables, etc. In war, the men used spears in addition to long, narrow shields of giraffe or ox hide.
Chief Awich (or Awichu) of Payira, Acholi solid ground 1904. He was i of the firstly resistance fighters against colonialism. He fifty-fifty granted asylum to Omukama Kabalega at some point.
During Uganda's colonial period, the British encouraged political in addition to economical evolution inward the due south of the country, inward item amongst the Baganda. In contrast, the Acholi in addition to other northern ethnic groups supplied much of the national manual labor in addition to came to comprise a bulk of the military, creating what some have got called a "military ethnocracy". Due to a changing economy, after the 1950s, fewer Acholi were recruited to the armed forces, but continued to live associated with them inward pop mythology in addition to stereotypes.
In the 2000s, James Ojent Latigo is amongst the authors who have got described some of Uganda's social problems equally based on the way the political elites have got used ethnicities to split the country. He has noted that the emphasis on distinction amongst ethnic groups has fifty-fifty been component division of the internal authorities dialogue." He wrote, "Part of the structural causes of the conflict inward Republic of Uganda has been explained equally rooted inward the ‘diversity of ethnic groups which were at dissimilar levels of socio-economic evolution in addition to political organisation.’ (Ugandan Parliamentary Committee on Defence in addition to Internal Affairs 1997.)
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| English: Portrait of an Acholi woman 1877-1880(Photo credit:Richard Buchta Wikipedia) |
He has written further,
"Since independence inward 1962, Republic of Uganda has been plagued yesteryear ethnically driven, politically manipulated violence referred to yesteryear some equally a history of ‘cycles of revenge in addition to mistrust’. Deep-rooted divisions in addition to polarization remain betwixt dissimilar ethnic groups, in addition to these have got been greatly exacerbated yesteryear the way inward which the country’s leadership has developed since independence."
Milton Obote, the firstly leader after independence, relied on Acholi in addition to Langi Luo people inward government. Idi Amin was also from northward Uganda, but was of the Kakwa people. He overthrew Obote's authorities in addition to established a dictatorship, ultimately suppressing in addition to killing 300,000 persons, including many Acholi. General Tito Okello was an Acholi, in addition to came to powerfulness inward a armed forces coup. He was defeated inward Jan 1986. Despite the years of leadership yesteryear men from the North, that part continued to live marginalized economically after independence, in addition to has suffered higher rates of poverty than other areas of the country.
After defeating Okello in addition to his Acholi-dominated Republic of Uganda National Liberation Army, now-President Yoweri Museveni in addition to his National Resistance Army conducted revenge killings inward the north. Museveni has held absolute powerfulness since, surviving unrest, civil war, in addition to numerous attempts at coups.
Tito Okello, a native Acholi and President of Uganda for vi months inward 1985 (though he referred to himself only equally 'Head of State')
The Acholi are known to the exterior world mainly because of the long insurgency of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) led yesteryear Joseph Kony, an Acholi from Gulu. The activities of the LRA have got been devastating within Acholiland (though they spread also to neighbouring districts in addition to countries). In September 1996, the Ugandan authorities moved hundreds of thousands of Acholi from the Gulu district into camps, ostensibly for their protection. Since 1996 this policy has expanded to encompass the entire rural Acholi population of 4 districts, i 1000000 people. These camps had some of the highest mortality rates inward the world with an estimated 1,000 people dying per calendar week at i point. Malaria in addition to AIDS have got been the primary affliction causes of deaths. The refugees inward the camps have got also been dependent to raids yesteryear both LRA in addition to authorities forces.
Acholi Camp
At the meridian of the insurgency, 1.8 1000000 people inward the northward were living inward camps. Peace talks firstly inward 2005 promised some relief to these people, in addition to some camps were closed inward 2007 equally safety inward the northward improved. As of September 2009, large numbers of Acholi people remain inward camps equally internally displaced persons. The long civil state of war inward the North has destroyed much of their society.
The bulk of elected parliamentarians inward the Acholi sub-region are members of the opposition.
True dark hero Dr Matthew Lukwiya,an Acholi tribe human being in addition to physician at the forefront of the 2000 Ebola outbreak, which took his life
Economy
Before the wars, Acholiland was endowed yesteryear beautiful scenery, lush vegetation, rivers, game animals, birds in addition to inward a higher seat all, abundant fertile solid ground which has been communally owned, cultivated in addition to handed downwards yesteryear Acholi families to their descendants from generation to generation.
Acholi farmers
The Acholi people who were prosperous 2 decades agone were predominantly agriculturalists practicing subsistence farming amongst animal husbandry equally a major source of livelihood. Cotton, tobacco, java in addition to maize were amongst the major cash crops grown yesteryear the people. Successful farm production was made possible because the sub-region had a well linked network of roads in addition to rails that enabled transporting agricultural products to encounter the marketplace seat demand. In add-on to marketing infrastructure, processing in addition to storage facilities were also at their disposal.
Complimenting agricultural production inward Acholiland was the widescale ownership of shorthorned cattle used for ploughing in addition to serving equally a source of wealth. Cattle were abundantly owned in addition to would live sold equally needed to back upwards menage unit of measurement activities.
Poverty, famine and drought were unheard of inward Acholiland because of the conducive surroundings for agricultural production, a tradition of cattle in addition to livestock ownership and being a hard working community. In short, the Acholi community was prosperous in addition to self-sufficient.
The Acholi were fantabulous hunters, with the prey enriching the daily menue. They hunted inward dissimilar ways: either equally a grouping or lonely equally trappers (Okia); they used nets, pits, or they hunted the animals into the H2O in addition to afterwards killed them with their spears. They fish inward the river bodies about them.
Acholis fishermen
Acholis fishermen. Unlike their neighbors Karamojong, the Acholi are an ethnic combining tradition in addition to modernity. Photo yesteryear Sandra Andrea Renard in addition to Alexandre Van Enst
The Acholi are considered to live peaceful people, but goodness fighters. Their weapons are mostly spears with rather long apartment blades without blood-courses, in addition to broad-bladed swords. Some job slings, in addition to most carry shields.
Bows in addition to arrows are also used; firearms are, however, displacing other weapons. Warfare was mainly defensive in addition to intertribal, this lastly a shape of vendetta. If a human being had killed his enemy inward the battle, he shaved his caput on his homecoming in addition to he was rubbed with "medicine" (generally goat's dung), to protect him from the spirit of the dead man. The immature warriors were made to stab the bodies of their slain enemies.
Industrial Arts
Ironworking, mainly but non solely confined to sure enough lineages, appears to live almost equally ancient equally agriculture, going dorsum perhaps to the firstly millennium B . C .
Acholi women selling pottery works,Kitgum,Uganda
Pottery in addition to handbasket making were widespread in addition to relatively non specialized arts, carried out yesteryear both men in addition to women. In most chiefdoms, only members of designated lineages could brand or repair regal drums. They also engage inward beads making.
Acholi beads
Trade
Precolonial trade, both within Acholi in addition to throughout the region, focused mainly on obtaining atomic number 26 ore in addition to finished atomic number 26 products inward substitution for baskets or products of the farm, herd, or hunt. Significantly, iron-ore deposits were located mainly at or simply beyond the western, northeastern, southeastern, in addition to southern boundaries of what became Acholi, in addition to merchandise for this atomic number 26 created networks of motion in addition to interaction that helped decide a collective identity within these boundaries. During the later nineteenth century, the emergent Acholi became involved inward the international merchandise inward ivory in addition to slaves, which were exchanged mainly for cattle, beads, blankets, cotton wool cloth, in addition to firearms. Colonial dominion brought the penetration of a coin economic scheme into Acholi, along with the establishment of numerous rural in addition to small-town trading centers in addition to the 2 major urban centers of Gulu in addition to Kitgum, where a hit of local in addition to imported goods are available.
Division of Labor
In the precolonial era, warfare, herding, in addition to hunting were the domain of men. Men have got also traditionally played a important role inward agriculture, especially for such time-limited, labor-intensive tasks equally clearing, planting, in addition to harvesting (often equally component division of lineage-based cooperative labor teams). Women also render major labor inward the fields, equally good equally beingness responsible for most kid rearing in addition to all cooking in addition to other food-preparation tasks.
Acholi women carrying goods
The edifice of houses in addition to granaries has historically involved both men in addition to women, with each performing specified functions. Boys in addition to girls are typically socialized into distinct gender roles, in addition to do household in addition to other chores accordingly. Since the entrenchment of colonial rule, an average of 10 to 20 per centum of adult Acholi males at whatever i fourth dimension have got been involved inward migrant labor or job inward the constabulary or regular army that has taken them from their seat in addition to families. Relatively minor numbers of Acholi have got filled middle-level or senior civil-service positions inward independent Uganda.
Acholi people
Land Tenure
Traditionally, solid ground rights were vested inward localized patrilineal lineages, nether the command in addition to guidance of lineage heads in addition to elders. This included both agricultural in addition to hunting land. An private had personal claim to solid ground that he in addition to his married adult woman (or wives) had nether tillage or that had been cultivated but was lying fallow, in addition to such rights passed from begetter to son. Given the depression population densities in addition to minimal solid ground pressure, almost anyone who was willing to clear in addition to piece of work unused solid ground has been welcomed yesteryear lineage heads responsible for such solid ground and, spell they functioned, yesteryear the rwodi of chiefdoms within whose domains the solid ground lay. Girling (1960) notes that equally belatedly equally 1950 at that topographic point was soundless no scheme of private solid ground tenure inward Acholi; however, such tenure has acquire increasingly mutual since independence.
Social Organization
Localized lineages have got been the fundamental social units inward Acholi, with chiefdoms providing a layer of organisation inward a higher seat the lineages from the belatedly seventeenth to the early on twentieth centuries. While rwodi, members of regal lineages, in addition to lineage heads all seem to have got been somewhat amend off than others earlier the latter component division of the nineteenth century, social stratification appears limited, owing primarily to both limited wealth inward the gild in addition to redistribution. Certain rwodi in addition to interpreters began to accumulate some of the novel wealth brought into Acholi yesteryear international trade, in addition to descendants of some of these men used their inherited wealth to build upwards prominent twentieth-century families. Since independence, a relatively few Acholi regular army officers have got managed to accumulate substantial fortunes, equally have got a few traders. More commonly, almost whatever salaried chore inward the world or private sector represents an income that averages several times that of a fellow member of the bulk peasant population.
Acholi tribe dancers
Changing Roles of Women
Historically, Acholi women were defined almost exclusively inward relation to their reproductive role. The socialization of girls revolved about their preparation for the role of married adult woman in addition to later, mother. One of the most of import lessons passed on to immature girls was “how to abide by in addition to attention for a man.” Elaborate ceremonies prepared immature girls in addition to women for these roles, including spousal human relationship in addition to nascence ceremonies which formally recognized a woman’s status within the menage unit of measurement seat she was married into, in addition to validated her worth to the menage unit of measurement and, yesteryear extension, the clan equally a whole. The gendered segmentation of labour followed. In the home, women were expected to attention for children, tend the fields, laid upwards in addition to clean. In contrast, men were expected to dig, harvest in addition to hunt, in addition to to create in addition to maintain the compound.
Acholi tribe woman parent playing with her babe using flowers
The conflict has transformed traditional gender roles. Confined to camps, men are no longer able to fulfill traditional productive roles. Women, on the other hand, hold to live responsible for reproductive roles with the added burden of having to attention for orphans and, inward some cases, have got been forced to assume a seat equally caput of the household. “Men salve their burden on women,” said Mego Dorothy Abwot.
Today, women are “responsible for feeding the family” [digging, planting, harvesting, nutrient collection from WFP] in addition to moral in addition to universal education, areas inward which men were in i lawsuit prominent. “Men only know how to potable now.” Yet men hold to dominate decision-making inward the household in addition to community.
Social Control
In precolonial Acholi, lineage heads in addition to elders were most responsible for social control, though i of the attractions that assisted the evolution of chiefdoms seems to have got been the powerfulness of rwodi to assist settle disputes that involved to a greater extent than than i lineage.
Acholi people. By Charlie Shoemaker
With colonial dominion came a novel hierarchy of chiefs, clerks, in addition to policemen, all nether the authorisation of a district commissioner. Much of that hierarchy continued into the independence era. The essential lawlessness of the Idi Amin in addition to bit Milton Obote regimes, however, equally good equally of the various rebel groups, the Ugandan army, in addition to Karamojong raiders (who have got been active inward Acholi since the mid-1980s) have got led to a breakdown of whatever meaningful social command inward the area.
Acholi tribe girls dancing
Political Organization
Prior to colonialism, the Acholi kingdom was composed of kaka (loosely knit clans), each headed yesteryear a Rwot Moo (anointed chief) derived from a regal clan. He was typically the Eldest son, although reportedly ‘the people’ could take in addition to supersede Rwot Moo should he non stand upwards for or attention for them well. Each Rwot Moo lived inward a large, extended in addition to polygamous household located within the domain of his clansmen. He was responsible for promoting unity in addition to the social welfare of his clansmen; to render for them inward times of need.
Each Rwot Moo was supported yesteryear a Council of Elders through which he ruled based on consent, rather than force. The construction of the Council of Elders was complex with variations from clan to clan. Its main component division was to “guide communities, solve disputes in addition to create peace in addition to unity amongst people”.48 Councils were acquaint at all social levels, starting with the menage unit of measurement level. Every household unit of measurement appointed an Apoka (Elder) to stand upwards for their voices. Apokas from the dissimilar clans formed a Council of Elders, which was presided over yesteryear the Atekere. The Atekere was the middleman betwixt the Apoka in addition to the Rwot Moo. Meetings amongst these actors were held regularly to hash out community issues in addition to concerns.
His Royal Highness Rwot David Onen Ocana, leader of Ker Kwero Acholi,(centre) launched a six-month induce to lay an terminate to gender-based violence inward Acholi
Under the British colonial administration, the Rwot Moo were stripped of powerfulness in addition to replaced yesteryear the Rwot Kalam, translated to ‘men of the pen’ (educated men who served the colonial administration). Rwot Moo continued to exercise free, if informal, cultural leadership amongst his people, but was limited inward the exercise of administrative power. Under colonialism, the Rwot Moo of the largest clan, Payira, emerged equally a ‘leader’ amongst other Rwot Moo. However, until this era, the Acholi had no Paramount Chief. As i informant observed, “The establishment of a Paramount Chief was a completely novel one. In the past, at that topographic point was no one
Rwot who was to a greater extent than powerful than the other.” During colonialism, however, Rwot Camo (1887) in addition to Rwot Awich (1888-1946) of Payira, emerged equally the informal leaders of Acholi. In post-independent Uganda, Rwot Adonga of the Payira clan was installed yesteryear Rwodi equally ‘the perfect leader’ (laloya maber). However, the barbarous dictatorship of Idi Amin (1971-1979) displaced Adonga, resulting inward the temporary lapse inward leadership. At independence, the Rwot Kalam scheme was dismantled, in addition to the Rwot Moo remained officially unrecognized inward the Ugandan Constitution until 1995. Elders in addition to Rwot Moo continued to play of import cultural roles, but political structures yesteryear the fourth dimension of independence had been slow replaced yesteryear the
apparatus of the Ugandan state.
The on-going conflict inward Northern Republic of Uganda has weakened both Rwodi in addition to the Councils of Elders. Like the residue of the population, Rwodi in addition to Elders were forced to go out their homesteads in addition to alive inward IDP camps. In fact, the bulk of Rwodi no longer alive inward the centre of their subject’s domains, but inward town centres. As a result, many people today no longer automatically know their Rwot, nor what his role should be. When they do alive inward camps amongst ‘their people’, it is inward a setting of extreme poverty, limiting the role they tin play inward cultural rituals, mediation or unity building.
The spirit of communalism that characterized Acholi domains inward the yesteryear has been replaced with that of individualism. As i Acholi saying puts it, “oyo human being ki wino doge” – “each rat with its ain whisker”. Respect tends to live afforded to persons with coin or power, in addition to yet Rwodi inward camps have got trivial to a greater extent than than their people. Research revealed that to a greater extent than IDPs could seat their Local Councillor (LCs), religious leader or army camp leader than their Rwodi. However, when Rwodi do alive inward a camp, people are to a greater extent than probable to know their Rwot. Moreover, camps where strong Rwodi – those considered persons of goodness moral graphic symbol – live, an increased grade of abide by was afforded to them.
dancing dorsum identity inward Acholiland
The duty of Elders inward conflict resolution has largely been replaced yesteryear the piece of work of army camp leaders in addition to LCs. As Ladit Eromasio Odara commented, the “Elder establishment has been replaced with army camp leaders in addition to LCs who are non ever able to top the best advice. Their neutrality inward handling cases is usually compromised because of money, nepotism in addition to politics”. Elders have got also acquire isolated from ‘their’ people, with whom they in i lawsuit had unopen proximity to inward the village. Clans are often intermixed inward army camp settings, or inward some cases, extended families are dispersed across dissimilar camps. “Elders are similar a shot scattered everywhere, they job to alive with their people”. Displacement has also separated Elders from each other in addition to pitiable safety conditions preclude them from coming together regularly to hash out community issues. In short, Elders previously gained the ultimate abide by of their communities because “they were seen equally fathers yesteryear the younger generation. The way Elders conducted themselves was so extraordinary that many would refer to them equally gods”. Elders were ever approached for advice, however, the problems that have got occurred inward the camps are beyond the hit of the Elders, in addition to thus homecoming them unable to perform their duty.
Conflict resolution (Traditional Justice)
In traditional Acholi culture, justice is done for ber bedo, to restore harmonious life.Traditional justice was distinguished from formal justice inward terms of the voluntary willingness of the perpetrator to confess. Part of the logic of Acholi cosmology is to illicit fearfulness in addition to shame if i broke a social norm in addition to to encourage people to pick out the appropriate steps towards restoration. For instance, the powerful narrative of cen - that i would endure sickness in addition to expiry until a incorrect is made right - was a shape of psychological penalisation to
the wrongdoer.
Acholi people relaxing nether tree
In cases when a killer is good known but refuses to acknowledge to his or her guilt or crime, in addition to so revenge yesteryear the spirit of the murdered victim is encouraged yesteryear Elders. This volition outcome inward misfortune of the offending clan. Otherwise, the offending parties may legitimately threaten revenge (a blood revenge), but this is said to live kept inward banking company check yesteryear a menstruum of “cooling off” betwixt clans in addition to enforced yesteryear Elders. The community has an involvement inward avoiding revenge killings, in addition to volition do all it tin to cool off the high grade of tensions.
Truth
The procedure of establishing the facts of a item conflict was considered yesteryear most respondents equally essential to resolving the conflict. In general, a mediator (usually an Elder at the menage unit of measurement in addition to sub-clan level, a representative of the Rwot-Moo (anointed Chief) at the clan level, or the Rwot-Moo himself at the inter-clan level) would works life these facts inward consultation with the involved parties, their relatives in addition to witnesses. This was done either inward a procedure of ‘shuttle diplomacy’ or inward world meetings, depending on the circumstances.
Establishment of the facts (such equally whether a criminal offense was intentional or not) could decide the amount of compensation in addition to the corresponding ritual or ceremony required to appease spirits in addition to ancestors. Finally, establishing the truth was regarded equally an of import element for facilitating reconciliation betwixt conflicting parties, at the family, clan, inter-clan, or inter-tribal levels. Women were involved only inward instances when a conflict involving women or a “woman’s issue” arose. Senior women were limited to beingness witnesses to crimes committed, in addition to women were never given the chance to preside over whatever opened upwards court.
Acholi people
Compensation
Categories of criminal offense in addition to corresponding compensation be inward Acholi traditional by-laws, some of which have got similar a shot been documented in addition to are currently beingness translated into English.These include compensation on a broad hit of menage unit of measurement laws, including divorce, marriage, burial rites, in addition to criminal laws including arson, theft, or murder. The circumstances surrounding the criminal offense are ever considered inward determining compensation, including whether or non the criminal offense was intentional. Compensation is largely paid inward the shape of livestock (cows, bulls, goats), or increasingly inward the context of the displacement camps, the monetary equivalent of the required livestock. H5N1 primary Elder inward accuse of compensation receives it from the offending person’s entire clan. The clan or menage unit of measurement of the wrongdoer volition live expected to assist contribute to raising the compensation.
Beautiful Acholi old lady,Uganda
Restoration
Traditional justice inward Acholi civilization was described yesteryear informants equally restorative rather than punitive, seeking to repair social harmony of a community, rather than works life private innocence or guilt. In Acholi, i person’s criminal offense extends to the entire family, in addition to the menage unit of measurement of the injured political party is likewise affected. Thus i person’s criminal offense causes a rift within the entire community that tin only live resolved after establishing the truth, payment of compensation in addition to followed yesteryear a serial of rituals or ceremonies inward monastic tell to reconcile ‘bitterness’ in addition to chase away sick volition or spirits that threaten the unity of the clan.
Prior to colonialism, crimes were handled inward “open courts” held at dissimilar levels of social organisation (household, sub-clan, clan, inter-clan in addition to inter-tribal) according to the nature of the conflict (land, domestic conflict, arson, murder). Serious conflicts involved Elders in addition to Rwodi at the clan or inter-clan level, whereas less serious crimes could live handled yesteryear Elders in addition to peers at the familial, sub-clan or clan level. The voluntary admission of guilt was considered a necessary human activity for moving forward. Ideally, the conclusion regarding compensation in addition to rituals for reconciliation was arrived at ‘consensually’ amongst Elders in addition to inward consultation with injured parties, in addition to according to interpretation of traditional by-laws.
Janani Luwum, Acholi tribe human being in addition to old Archbishop of the (Anglican) Church of Uganda, murdered yesteryear President Idi Amin
During pre-colonial times, when a transgression occurred the Elders would get together the people in addition to inform them of the problem. The Elders in addition to so met the involved parties to hear to both sides of the instance earlier deciding what compensation was appropriate. Respondents often insisted this was a consensual approach, in addition to no conclusion was taken until all parties agreed. While the introduction of the courtroom scheme yesteryear colonialists did non appear to wholly undermine traditional courtroom systems, it was non clear from respondents if traditional
mechanisms in i lawsuit practiced hold to be inward camps today (and thence should live dependent of farther study). These included:
Family Courts: The won-ot (head of household, ever a man), would live the firstly to assay to resolve whatever domestic crimes or sources of conflict including quarrels betwixt menage unit of measurement members. The rituals of tummu-buru (incidents involving fire) or tummu-kir (all other incidents) were in addition to so performed to appease Jok.
Clan Courts: The Atekere (The Atekere is responsible for safekeeping of regal cultural items, such equally the drum, the regal arm band (Ogul), hoe, beads, or gourd (abino), in addition to thence also rituals required for performing purification. It was non clear if every clan had an Atekere or not) or Ladit Kaka settled disputes at the menage unit of measurement grade that could non live settled yesteryear the ‘family head’, in addition to conflicts (over land, food, water) at the clan level. But most often, the Atekere was responsible for conducting rituals when kii occurs. Abomination (kii or kiir) is often an private human activity or curse that symbolically jeopardizes the well-being of the menage unit of measurement in addition to thence of the entire clan. It is often committed yesteryear a hubby or married adult woman who has exhausted all other avenues of communication or resolution. For instance, the human activity of throwing nutrient at a somebody inward anger is considered a grave taboo that volition appal both the ancestors in addition to Gods. Without an immediate ritual (in this case, sacrifice of a goat), “grave misfortune to the somebody in addition to their family” volition follow. Informants could seat a real long listing of forms of kii, in addition to Elders were skillful at knowing the corresponding rituals necessary for lifting a curse cast yesteryear the act. Most cases of conflict also involved kiir that require purification rituals, usually the sacrifice of a caprine animal or sheep to the ancestors. The guilty political party played a cardinal role, hanging his or her caput inward shame. Purification called relevant parties together for a word of the events which had occurred in addition to to seat ways to preclude the offence or conflict from occurring again. The Atekere was responsible for overseeing the rituals.
Inter-Clan courts: Typically, inter-clan conflicts were mediated yesteryear the Rwot Moo from the 2 clans involved. H5N1 messenger – lakwena – would in addition to so human activity equally a go-between to the parties involved in addition to the Rwot Moo. Rwot Moo only became involved inward cases of serious injuries, murder in addition to inward the interpretation in addition to execution of by-laws determining compensation. In some instances, this involved belongings courtroom at the seat of the Rwot Moo, in addition to bringing inward the advice of other Rwodi for determination of compensation.
Inter-tribal courts: To terminate a conflict, Elders from conflicting tribes would encounter to hash out the source of conflict, develop prevention strategies in addition to to warn the population to discontinue fighting. The mediator would curvature the pike (Gomo Tong) to signify word is over in addition to equally a vow to terminate hostilities. It was reported to have got been carried out both with the ceremony of Mato Oput in addition to without, depending on the conflict.
Rituals to Establish Evidence
Different rituals are undertaken when the facts of a criminal offense are non all available, in addition to at that topographic point is no way to works life the truth. In i version, a pike is lay inward the flames until it turns red. All suspects are made to take hold or lick the spear. If i is innocent in addition to so the pike volition non burn downwards you. This tin only live conducted yesteryear ajwaka or i who was born with the special gift to do this ceremony. Another way to decide innocence or guilt is earthworks a hole in addition to all suspects jump over it. If the somebody is guilty they volition autumn in. H5N1 tertiary way to works life truth is to have got the suspects feed a hen using poisoned food. If i is guilty the hen volition displace towards the
offender in addition to swallow the poisoned nutrient right away, if non guilty in addition to so the hen volition run away. One tin banknote that these rituals also play with the psychological conscience of the offender inward the same way that the spiritual world does.
Another agency of establishing the truth is to consult an ajwaka. H5N1 grouping of Elders consult upwards to iii dissimilar ajwaka living inward areas far from the expanse where the criminal offense took seat (this way the ajwaka would non know nigh the criminal offense prior to the consultation). The ajwaka invite the spirits of dead in addition to break the identity of the perpetrator. If the iii ajwaka identified the same perpetrator in addition to so truth would live established.
It is of import to recognize that establishing the truth volition non necessarily atomic number 82 to a ritual or a mediation of the conflict. It is ever upwards to the individual, the offender, to initiate this process.
Under the British colonial administration, the cultural practices relating to justice were replaced with formal legal codes in addition to the introduction of Local Courts (LCs). This significantly undermined the authorisation of Elders in addition to Rwodi, although they continued to play an active role inward the resolution of menage unit of measurement disputes, in addition to mediate community conflicts. In addition, the practise of paying compensation also remains in addition to Elders hold to play an of import role inward mediating this process.
ACHOLI TRIBE DANCERS FROM GULU,UGANDA
However, the wisdom implied inward the traditional scheme was viewed equally corrupt inward the modern Law Court system: “People aspect at justice [today] inward terms of making someone suffer,” in addition to indicating the individualist approach ran reverse to communal, restorative approaches. Elders maintained at that topographic point was no such shape of penalisation inward the past. Furthermore, Elders argued that the role of mediation inward the yesteryear was absent inward LCs. Thus, the ‘truth’ was replaced with the powerfulness of lawyers to brand a strong defence, regardless of the innocence or guilt of the political party involved.
The practise of traditional justice has been farther jeopardized over the class of the war. The intermixing of clans, poverty in addition to extreme violence has broken downwards levels of social trust. In addition, mechanisms for socializing Acholi youth nigh social rights in addition to wrongs, in addition to nigh traditional rituals in addition to beliefs, have got been challenging obstacles inward displacement camps. In the past, “people were united. If you lot were non on goodness terms with your neighbour, life may non live uncomplicated for you. This is because each in addition to every person
depended on i another.”
Cases are resolved today yesteryear paying a cost to the local jurist or courts, run yesteryear Local Councils. As i Elder lay it, “many people similar a shot aspect at justice inward terms of coin in addition to imprisonment”. Another Elder argued that inward camps today, “people aspect at justice inward terms of force. They job the LC system, constabulary in addition to army camp leaders. [Before the colonialists came] at that topographic point was no forcefulness similar now”. The Acholi commonly known saying 'Agoyi ci wa pida apida’ perhaps sums it upwards best ‘I trounce you lot in addition to and so I win’, pregnant equally long equally the perpetrator has the coin to purchase off the judge, he or she tin do what they want.
Mato oput traditional ritual justice of Acholi people,Uganda
Despite all this, formal judicial bodies are respected yesteryear virtue of the law yesteryear Elders; inward most cases, they brand the distinction betwixt national in addition to traditional laws. For instance, Ladit Latim equally good equally other informants recognized that no i should interfere with or assay to supersede the law. “It is incorrect for a cultural establishment to appear superior to the law. The legal scheme takes precedent. At the terminate of one’s jail sentence, in addition to so traditional justice may come upwards in. Until this is done, i is a social outcast.” Traditional justice may live a compliment but non alternative to the formal system. It is also required, according to Elders, to restore
relations betwixt conflicting parties, in addition to for i to reconcile with her or his-self to the spirit world. “Even if you lot win inward courtroom but you lot are guilty, you lot are able to bribe your way out of it, cen volition soundless follow you. So at the terminate the offender volition have got to homecoming to the Elders in addition to tell them the truth of what actually happened.”
Marriage
The establishment of spousal human relationship inward Acholi was a cardinal characteristic of Acholi culture. Historically, immature boys are expected to ‘move out’ of the theater to create their ain hut inward preparation for spousal human relationship (the bachelor’s hut). Brideprice, traditionally inward the shape of cattle, was paid to the menage unit of measurement of the girl, but held inward trust for brothers of the immature lady for their ain bride price. Given poverty in addition to congestion inward camps, this is non ever possible.
Beautiful Acholi tribe woman,Uganda. Photo by Charlie Shoemaker
This has a twofold impact. On the i hand, a immature man child may experience pressured to go out the theater to discover an independent livelihood – exposing him to greater vulnerability in addition to potential exploitation. On the other, the idleness in addition to frustration of immature men who cannot render traditional agency for spousal human relationship may atomic number 82 to increased tensions in addition to violence within camps, equally has been documented inward other studies of conflict zones.
Beautiful Acholi tribe bride,Uganda. Photo by Charlie Shoemaker
According to Acholi cultural norms, boys in addition to men are responsible for the protection of girls in addition to women. As i Mego observed, this is no longer possible “because fifty-fifty the boys are threatened yesteryear rebels.” At the same time, men are also the greatest violators of women’s personal in addition to bodily security. The sexual norms which in i lawsuit protected the virginity of girls in addition to women earlier spousal human relationship – including a taboo against gender exterior the establishment of spousal human relationship that would outcome inward infertility – have got collapsed within camps. In Pabo camp, rape is
reportedly the most serious threat of impairment against women in addition to girls. As i Mego observed, “After rape you lot are considered a world woman.” Prostitution has grown rampant equally a agency of survival amongst immature girls – inward Pabo, a lane for prostitutes is good known yesteryear locals. In a number of camps, women reportedly left their husbands for soldiers in addition to militia who had a source of income.
Acholi groom in addition to bride,Uganda
While women who are raped are considered prostitutes in addition to soundless socially ostracized, the conflict has opened novel avenues for women to “assuming the roles of men” in addition to providing for themselves in addition to their families. “Many tin similar a shot afford to alive without men in addition to soundless pick out attention of the family, non similar those days when if a human being was non at that topographic point the menage unit of measurement could non function.
Acholi tribe maidens,Uganda
Religious belief
Historically, the goodness wellness in addition to happiness of the Acholi private was ever situated inward the context of the harmony in addition to well-being of the clan. The ancestral in addition to religious spirit worlds provided guidance to the Acholi people, maintaining the unity of the clan. Conversely, conflicts, misfortune in addition to pitiable wellness could live ‘sent’ yesteryear angry spirits, in addition to extended non only to the violator of moral codes, but to his or her menage unit of measurement in addition to clan. Thus one
person’s actions ever had ramifications for his or her menage unit of measurement in addition to clan who inward turn assumed collective responsibleness for the offence. It is this spiritual dimension of the Acholi which is trivial understood yesteryear non-Acholi.
Rituals to Jok for peace
Acholi civilization produced a hierarchical social monastic tell rigorously maintained through social compliance to a cardinal value system. These values were connected to a spirit world, which inward turn was intimately connected with the comport of persons inward everyday life. H5N1 communal society, the Acholi valued firstly in addition to foremost the unity of the clan. As a result, each fellow member of the social unit of measurement was expected to fulfill dissimilar but complementary productive, reproductive, in addition to cultural roles. The religious in addition to spiritual worlds – through
spiritual representatives in addition to selected human representatives – actively enforced codes of behaviour. The spiritual beliefs hold to live widely held yesteryear Acholi inward army camp settings, although conditions of the army camp have got led to a proliferation of abominations in addition to decline inward job of rituals
Acholi tribe old lady from Republic of Uganda sitting on a mat to perform traditional Mato Oput rituals of justice
Sacrifices were made to inquire for favours or blessings, or to preclude disasters from occurring, or to give cheers to Elders, considered closest to Jok, made such sacrifices at the clan shrines. However, many shrines to Jok have got been destroyed during the class of the conflict, purposefully in addition to strategically targeted yesteryear both the Lord Resistance Army in addition to Republic of Uganda Peoples Defence Force. Those that remain are often inward areas inaccessible to the internally displaced person. Nevertheless, inward full general informants soundless appeared to believe inward the powerfulness in addition to presence of Jok, fifty-fifty if cutting off from the agency of communicating or worshiping them, or if their agreement of them has been transformed through the adoption of an external laid of religious beliefs.
In add-on to Jok, at that topographic point are ancestral spirits who render guidance to their respective lineages on how to maintain the communal in addition to unified whole. Like Jogi, the spirits of ancestors protected in addition to guided a moral in addition to social order, sending misfortune or illness whenever that monastic tell was disturbed, specially at the menage unit of measurement level.
Sacrifice to Jok,the supreme deity of Acholi people inward Mato Oput justice rituals sacrifice
Prior to the conflict, ladit kaka (Elders) would comport a serial of rituals within hamlet settings in addition to household compounds inward monastic tell to appease the ancestors in addition to ensure the moral monastic tell was upheld. According to Ladit Alfred Adonga, “all rituals…are meant to inculcate goodness behaviour.” He elaborates that, “for goodness deportment to live entrenched inward Acholi, all acts of misbehaviour are linked to the spiritual world. Anyone who acts reverse to established norms displeases our ancestors in addition to rituals should live performed to appease them. If the ancestors are annoyed…they cast curses inward the shape of death, diseases, drought, madness in addition to so on.”
Most Rev. John Baptist Odama of URI addressing Acholi people inward Uganda
Most Acholi are Protestant, Catholic and, inward lesser numbers, Muslim. Nevertheless, the traditional belief in
guardian in addition to ancestor spirits remains strong, though it is similar a shot often described inward Christian or Islamic terms.
Acholi human being dancing
Cen spirits (mediums)
According to Acholi cultural leaders, cen is sent when a incorrect against the dead has been committed. The phenomenon of cen illustrates the centrality of relationships betwixt the natural in addition to supernatural worlds
inward Acholi, the living in addition to the dead, in addition to the normative continuity betwixt an private in addition to the community.
Cen was described yesteryear Elders in addition to Mego equally the entrance of an angry spirit into the physical trunk of a somebody or persons that seeks appeasement, usually inward the shape of a sacrifice or, inward the instance of a ‘wrongful death’, compensation in addition to reconciliation betwixt the clan of the offended in addition to offender. The spirit manifests equally cen, which volition ‘haunt’ the wrongdoers yesteryear entering their hear or trunk inward the shape of visions in addition to nightmares that may outcome inward mental illness in addition to sickness until the incorrect is made right. Cen tin also send nightmares in addition to sickness to the residue of the menage unit of measurement of the private involved, so threatens non only the individual, but the menage unit of measurement in addition to community.
Cen manifests over a menstruum of fourth dimension inward several ways,cen could pick out decades to manifest, but typically attacks the menage unit of measurement or subclan of a somebody who: 1) treated the dead or dying inward an ill-manner (a shape of kii – or
abomination); 2), committed murder or manslaughter; and, 3) inherited the wrong-doing from a parent or grandparent. Ladit Jurubabel Ojok also argued that a menage unit of measurement of a somebody who committed suicide were also susceptible to cen.
First, handling of the dead in addition to dying are cardinal processes in addition to practices inward Acholi. For example, if i dies “in a bad way” (through neglect yesteryear menage unit of measurement members, yesteryear beingness forced from the menage unit of measurement seat inward anger, or because they were denied food), the spirit of the dead volition non rest, or, volition actively seek to right the incorrect committed inward the shape of cen. As a result, elaborate burial in addition to funeral rituals in addition to ceremonies have got evolved to demo abide by to the dead, in addition to are considered vital to maintain the good beingness of the clan. Cen also haunts those who have got disrespected the dead, either yesteryear failing to render a proper burial, or for failing to demo adequate respect. For instance, Ladit John Moro argued cen could live ‘got’ from a spirit of a woman parent who died if her relatives were non given proper paneyo, that is, a type of contribution or compensation (usually livestock), wasn’t paid yesteryear people attention the funeral.
During periods of extreme violence during the conflict, they would top dead bodies inward the street on their way to schoolhouse in addition to were instructed yesteryear their parents that they must ever seat a foliage of the olwedo tree (or whatever other inward its absence) on the trunk to demo respect, in addition to ward off cen. Likewise, equally many may top the dead on the route – due to accidents or violence related to the conflict – the same practise is required. Cen tin get together inward places where a person’s expiry occurred, in addition to come inward i who moves through this place. Hence, people are reluctant to displace through or alive about sites of cen, such equally places where traffic accidents occurred or, besides commonly inward Acholi, massacre sites.
Second, cen manifests inward persons who purposely committed an human activity of murder that is unresolved. In some clans, this extends to accidental expiry or manslaughter. In either case, the responsibleness for setting things right falls non only on the individual, but the menage unit of measurement in addition to community of Elders within the clan. One Elder gave an instance of what the spirit powerfulness say if contacted:
"I’m real annoyed with you lot the Elders. When I was murdered you lot didn’t inquire for
compensation from such in addition to such clan. Or, when I died you lot didn’t bury me at home
[referring to a somebody who died inward the bush]. Or, when I died, you lot didn’t perform lastly funeral
rites (guru lyel). I thence demand a sheep, hen, cow, revenge, compensation etc."
Third, persons tin inherit cen from the incorrect doings of a parent. Cen is said to manifest over a long menstruum of fourth dimension in addition to therefore, may manifest only inward the bit generation of the wrongdoer. It is said that a babe tin live born with cen, if the woman parent or begetter also had cen. Alternatively, cen powerfulness non fifty-fifty manifest inward the wrongdoer themselves, but inward time to come generations; a ground why Elders are concerned nigh time to come generations of old rebels. As i Elder stated: “If cen is non ritualized, it may follow the menage unit of measurement lineage of the killer.”
Beautiful Acholi ladies from South Sudan
The types of rituals used to “chase cen” depend on the clan affected in addition to the human activity which led to cen. In most cases, the sacrifice of an animal, or the slaughter of an creature is used to chase away “bad spirits” to the setting sun. In the electrical flow context, many Elders argued poverty limited their powerfulness to carry out rituals. In some cases, livestock was substituted; for instances, herbs were used inward Acholi-bur when no livestock was available.
Often, when the source of cen is non readily apparent, Elders may consult i some other in addition to the affected menage unit of measurement or sub-clan to decide the circumstances that must live addressed. If this fails, Elders volition often telephone telephone upon diviners, or healers, ajwaka. An ajwaka believe that when the spirit contacts her, it provides visions that assist her with her work, specially of where sure enough herbs are kept inward monastic tell to heal those that are sick or instructions on the type of herbs to job for sure enough sicknesses. Ajwaka are able to aspect into the time to come in addition to oftentimes consult the ancestors on pressing matters.The spiritual powers of ajwaka tin come upwards either “in a shape of a human beings (although they unable to seat the identity of the somebody prior to their contact) or straight through them.” Using ‘powerful rituals,’ ajwaka are skillful inward interpreting whether or non a somebody has ayweya (a collection of bad things) or cen, in addition to if so, where it was derived from. They are believed to have got a strong communication link to the spirit worlds, in addition to powerfulness to heal those afflicted. In Acholi-bur, is ajwaka described equally a lastly resort when Elders, Rwodi or courts of law fail. Using traditional instruments such equally the ajaa (a shaker constructed out of a gourd) to contact the supernatural world and, with their guidance works life the ‘truth’ nigh a item incident, such equally theft. Ajwaka are believed to live able to perform goodness in addition to evil deeds. For instance, should her or his powerfulness live denied, they are able to cast a curse on the menage unit of measurement of the private inward question. That some ajwaka powerfulness do so inward monastic tell to amass powerfulness in addition to wealth, has led to witch-hunting inward Acholi-bur. Witch hunts tin involve a ‘serious warning’, or, inward extreme cases, lynching.
Acholi tribe ladies,Gulu,Uganda
Norms (The Generation Gap: Children in addition to Youth )
In traditional Acholi society, children in addition to youth were to live looked after in addition to provided yesteryear adults. Until married, they lived with their begetter in addition to mother(s). Although they were expected to assist with household tasks, the responsibleness of providing basic necessities broadly fell to parents. Beyond this, inward times when parents were unable to render for their family, the responsibleness fell to the extended menage unit of measurement in addition to Rwodi, due to the communal nature of the Acholi culture.
Acholi students,Uganda
Youth in addition to children thus held societal roles of obedience to adults, specially Elders. Young people were expected to possess proper abide by for Elders, in addition to inward turn, Elders taught youth societal values to guide their actions. As Ocitti Francis elaborated, “[Elders played an] advisory role. [They] imparted acre of study into children [and] socialized the immature into culture.” Through formal (wang oo) in addition to informal (traditional dancing, private counsel) mechanisms, cultural leaders played a key role inward facilitating the transfer of social knowledge,
which provided the cultural in addition to behavioural codes that shaped Acholi society. In addition, children in addition to youth who commute nightly into towns have got trivial interaction with their menage unit of measurement structures anymore.
Acholi beautiful ladies,Uganda
Years of conflict in addition to displacement has had a fundamental impact on the dynamics that shaped both the role of Acholi children in addition to youth equally good equally their relationships with their parents in addition to to Elders inward society. Youth are no longer cared for in addition to protected to the extent that was accorded them previously. Today, instead of beingness the object of protection, they are targets of physical assail from either side of the conflict, creating a hit of safety threats for youth. There are no formal protection measures inward seat for youth in addition to children, in addition to they are thus forced to adopt informal strategies “by relying on their basic senses. They have got learned to live observant of their surroundings at all times, they are tranquillity when they spot the LRA, or they run away when the UPDF is trying to impairment them.”
Acholi tribal state of war dance,Uganda
Additionally, the ratio of youth to adults has risen, in addition to the economical burden of providing nutrient in addition to other non-food items falls increasingly to immature people. They are similar a shot considered the ‘productive force’ of their families, which is a divergence from traditional practice, where adults render for them. In monastic tell to access survival items, such equally firewood, H2O in addition to vegetables, they must take chances moving exterior of the camp, exposing them to serious physical threat.
Furthermore, the critical lack of educational in addition to economical opportunities within camps have got caused many youth to acquire ‘idle.’ H5N1 important proportion of youth have got likewise turned to drinking in addition to are ignoring sexual taboos, causing an increment inward sexual activity, specially of rape in addition to other sexual in addition to gender based violence (SGBV). Moreover, at that topographic point is a large grouping of returnee youth in addition to children who have got difficulty inward adjusting to expected social norms after living inward the bush in addition to who are often ostracized yesteryear the community. The outcome of these factors is that a important number of Acholi youth are engaging inward socially
objectionable deportment according to Acholi cultural norms.
IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) army camp inward Acholiland
Finally, although they shape the largest proportion of Acholi society, youth are unable to properly vox their opinions in addition to needs. While at that topographic point is a youth representative at the district level, this business office lacks resources in addition to assistance from other authorities bodies or NGOs. Moreover, at that topographic point is a palpable lack of youth representation within the camps; spell some camps have got adopted youth representatives, this occurs infrequently in addition to informally. The outcome is that children in addition to youth shape a specially vulnerable, equally good equally large, grouping inward society, but lack adequate back upwards from parental, guardian, Elder, governmental, or NGO
leaders.
Music in addition to Dance
Acholi folk music is, similar most Ugandan music, pentatonic. It is distinctive with choral singing, inward parts with a atomic number 82 voice. Songs are also accompanied yesteryear a string instrument, the harp-like adungu, in addition to numerous percussion instruments.
The vocal lines of the songs of men in addition to women are inward polyphonic style, in addition to they tend to create a counter-point effect. Songs are performed at various occasions. The singing is melodic, in addition to dances are performed collectively. Solo dancing is rather rare. The Acholi have got various kinds of dances:
Various dances are performed on sure enough occasions like, for example, birth, funeral, wedding, rituals (ancestral worship, firstly of a hunt, victory over enemies) in addition to the celebration of the seasons (for example, thanksgiving).
-Apiti Dance was only danced yesteryear girls. The men were non admitted. The girls danced inward a job in addition to sang. It was a trip the calorie-free fantastic toe which was danced inward the middle of the year, when it was raining.
-- Atira Dance was a state of war dance. Fighting scenes were performed with spears in addition to shields.
-Bwola Dance is a courtroom trip the calorie-free fantastic toe (in the king's palace) of the Acholi, who alive inward the northward of Uganda. This is a circular trip the calorie-free fantastic toe that is performed yesteryear the older men in addition to women, in addition to the circle represents a fence that surrounds the palace court. Many events in addition to conversations pick out seat during this dance, so it may lastly for many hours.
The main dancer is mostly dressed inward a leopardskin in addition to conducts the scenes. The men carry in addition to trounce the drum. This trip the calorie-free fantastic toe is a real rhythmic one.
-- Ding-Ding Dance trip the calorie-free fantastic toe is performed yesteryear the immature girls of the Acholi, in addition to their movements are meant to copy birds. The girls trip the calorie-free fantastic toe to attract the immature boys, so the trip the calorie-free fantastic toe is usually held on brilliant days, when the Sun is out.
- Ladongo Dance was danced after a successful hunting event. Men in addition to women danced inward i job facing each other, with clapping of hands in addition to running upwards in addition to downwards spell jumping.
-Larakaraka Dance is a ceremonial trip the calorie-free fantastic toe of the Acholi, who have got borders with the Sudan. It is primarily a courtship trip the calorie-free fantastic toe that is performed during weddings. When the immature people inward a item hamlet are ready for marriage, they organise a large ceremony where all potential partners meet.
As a sign of friendship, nutrient in addition to alcoholic drinks are served during this ceremony. Only the best dancers volition acquire partners, so at that topographic point is a lot of contest during the dancing. In Acholi, if you lot are a pitiable dancer, you lot are probable to top equally a bachelor.
-Lalobaloba Dance is performed without drums. The people trip the calorie-free fantastic toe inward a circle, with the men edifice upwards the outer circle in addition to putting their hands on the girls' heads. The men held sticks inward other hand.
-Myel Awal Dance is a funeral ceremony, inward which the women trip the calorie-free fantastic toe about the burial site in addition to the men brand upwards the outer circle with pike in addition to shield.
-Myel Wamga Dance: Men laid inward circles on the flooring in addition to played the harp (ennanga), spell the women danced the Apiti. This trip the calorie-free fantastic toe was performed on the occasion of weddings or beer festivities.
-Otiti Dance: Dance inward which the men carry spears in addition to shields. The drummers are arranged inward the middle, in addition to the people trip the calorie-free fantastic toe to a greater extent than than they sing.
Acholi tribal dance
Traditional Rituals in addition to Ceremonies
Despite the degradation of culture, traditional rituals hold to take hold an of import value to people of Acholiland in addition to those within camps. Although restricted yesteryear a lack of resources, where possible people
hold to either relish contributions yesteryear the community, or inward some cases, have got adapted yesteryear selecting less expensive cultural items to supersede to a greater extent than expensive ones (such equally a hen instead of a goat, seeds instead of an egg, or herbs instead of a hen). The extent of cultural practices largely depends on the participants in addition to the role of cultural leaders inward camps. For example, if Elders hold to play a prominent role they are to a greater extent than probable to promote in addition to perform rituals when they are needed.
Acholi people of northern Uganda. Photo yesteryear : Charlie Shoemaker
Nyono Tong Gweno
The ‘Stepping of the Egg’ ceremony welcomes seat a fellow member of the menage unit of measurement that has been away for an extended menstruum of time. Absence may have got been caused yesteryear some domestic dispute or may have got been voluntary, such equally for education, hunting or work. In either case, at that topographic point is a perceived demand to have a somebody dorsum seat inward monastic tell to reconcile whatever problems or feelings of alienation that may have got resulted from their extended absence, in addition to to ensure that the somebody feels in i lawsuit over again a total fellow member of the family. This ceremony has been adapted to facilitate the reintegration procedure of returnees. The ceremony involves the
returnee stepping on an egg (tongweno) placed on a ‘slippery branch’ (opobo) in addition to a stick with a fork (layebi), traditionally used to opened upwards graineries. The egg is said to symbolize purity. “The egg has no mouth, in addition to cannot speak sick of others”70. The egg also symbolizes that which is ‘soft’, ‘fragile’, suggesting a restoration of innocence. The opobo is a soapy, slippery branch, which helps to cleanse the returnee from whatever external influences he or she powerfulness have got encountered inward the ‘bush’ that powerfulness live calling them back. The layebi is a symbol of welcoming a somebody dorsum into the home, where the menage unit of measurement members volition in i lawsuit over again portion nutrient together. Such cleansing ceremonies were mostly practiced inward the private domain of the menage unit of measurement seat or chemical compound in addition to involve a ritual practice. Since 2003, communal ‘Stepping on the Egg’ ceremonies have got been initiated yesteryear His Highness, Rwot Onen David Acana II, for large numbers of returnees living inward camps. This ceremony has also been conducted for old Lord Resistance Army commanders upon their homecoming home.
Agat
H5N1 shape of prayer earlier initiating whatever rituals, it is a way to telephone telephone or communicate with the ancestors in addition to the spirit world inward monastic tell to inquire them to pick out your ceremony. For example, Agat is done when you lot sacrifice a caprine animal to Jok (Acholi god). If it is non done, you lot are non notifying the gods in addition to the ritual tin neglect equally a result. This is usually practiced earlier every ritual yesteryear Elders involved inward the ceremony.
Goyo laa
Blessings yesteryear an Elder or Elders using saliva or water, which is typically spit on the breast or
palm of a person.
Tum
Tum (sacrifice) is done to cool a conflict, appeal to or consult with the spirits of the ancestors and/or Jogi regarding a naturally occurring job facing the clan, or to preclude impairment or bad weather. There are many dissimilar types of tum, with variations across clans, in addition to for dissimilar reasons in addition to purposes. Sacrifices usually involve sheep, caprine animal or chicken.Increasingly inward camps, cheaper animals are substituted for to a greater extent than expensive ones. For instance, inward Acholi-bur, Elders reported that due to poverty, a hen was sometimes used to sacrifice inward the seat of a goat.
Tumu Kii
Tumu Kii is a sacrifice to appease to the gods for an abomination (kii) that has occurred. The various types of abominations outcome inward dissimilar types of sacrifice. This involves specifically a goat, sheep, in addition to herbs.
Riyo-tal
Mediation conducted yesteryear the Elders in addition to Rwodi inward times of conflict. People who are specifically involved inward mediations are called Lupii (plural), or Lapii (sing). In the yesteryear earlier waging whatever war, Lapii were consulted for their approval. If back upwards for the state of war was given, they would give olwedo (leafs) for protection – this is considered a blessing. In the electrical flow war, it is speculated that some Elders had given their blessings to Kony in addition to this is why the state of war is non ending. Elders cannot undo a approving in i lawsuit it has been given.
Ryemo Ojwee / Gemo
Ryemo ojwee or Ryemo Gemo is undertaken to ‘rid’ an expanse of cen. Organized yesteryear Elders in addition to senior women at night, it involves the beating of calabashes, saucepans, doors in addition to other full general noise-making. It is believed that cen is afraid of the dissonance in addition to volition live driven out of the expanse towards the West (sunset). Women prepare “lawinya plus moo yaa” (shea butter), in addition to so entertain the people with acut (a cultural trip the calorie-free fantastic toe for the women). The occasion is typically marked yesteryear drinking alcohol.
Moyo Piny / Tumu Piny
Tumu Piny or Moyo Piny loosely translated agency ‘sacrifice’ in addition to ‘cleansing’ of an area. The ritual tin also live termed equally Ryemo cen (chasing away cen). This ritual of sacrificing a sheep is conducted yesteryear Elders to appease Jogi whenever at that topographic point was a important amount of acena (cen inward the area). This tin manifest inward various forms: sickness, expiry in addition to unusual behaviour, for instance. The Acholi believe cen lingers inward places where ‘bad death’ has occurred, such equally forests (hunting expeditions that resulted inward death, improper burials, traffic accidents in addition to so on). In the context of the conflict, a high grade of cen is found inward sites of massacres.74 After
the ritual is completed, Elders in addition to other participants such equally ajwaka (diviner or witch-doctor) must walk away without looking behind them.
Acholi dancers
Yubu Kum
The ‘cleansing of the body’ ritual involves the transfer of cen from a somebody to an animal. The ritual has many variations. In one, a chicken is swung about a person. In another, a caprine animal is speared yesteryear the somebody involved in addition to if successful, the evil spirit is idea to live chased away. In soundless some other version, the somebody steps on the trunk or blood of the sheep, equally a sign of transferring the cen to the sacrificial goat.
Ryemo Jok
If, after doing all the necessary rituals to chase cen from a person, abnormal deportment continues inward a person, an ajwaka is consulted in addition to asked to perform this ritual. The ajwaka is inward accuse of the entire ritual, in addition to slaughters a caprine animal or chicken in addition to throws it into the site where the spirit idea to live causing the impairment dwells such equally rivers, wells or stone outcrops.
Lwoko grunter wang
‘Washing of tears’ ceremony is conducted when a somebody had disappeared in addition to was idea to have got died, but returns to a family. Luko grunter wang literally refers to washing away the tears a menage unit of measurement shed inward mourning the expiry of the person. Symbolically, it is to launder away ‘the idea of death’ that may manifest inward a bad omen or tin attract bad spirits to the menage unit of measurement when the somebody returns. “This is because when the living mourn the dead, the dead may telephone telephone you lot to bring together their world”.
Acholiland,Uganda
Goyo-pii
The ritual involves variations, but to a greater extent than often than non a calabash of H2O is passed from Elder to Elder who cleans their hands inward it. The H2O is either sprinkled over a somebody to render a approving or placed over the entrance of the hut in addition to is dribbled over the somebody equally they come inward the door
Moyo-ret
This ritual involves a sacrifice for a somebody who was injured inward an accident inward monastic tell to appease the ancestors, preclude farther illness equally a outcome of the injury, in addition to to facilitate recovery. Respondents gave the instance of instances when this ritual was practiced inward camps: inward response to landmine injuries or huts that had collapsed causing injuries. In the instance of returnees, many homecoming inward pitiable wellness in addition to with important injuries, although the
researchers could non works life if this ritual has been adapted to their circumstances.
Moyo Remo
This ritual is completed inward monastic tell to preclude a reprisal blood feud after a murder takes seat betwixt 2 clans. According to Elders, moyo remo agency the ‘cleansing of the blood’. The ritual involves the sacrifice of a caprine animal inward monastic tell to cleanse the blood that had poured from the killing, in addition to to preclude the loss of to a greater extent than blood. In Corner Kilak, moyo remo was done on at to the lowest degree i occasion equally a temporary mensurate to halt conflict betwixt 2 clans after a murder had occurred betwixt them. While they had initiated the procedure of reconciliation in addition to established an amount for compensation, the concluding ceremony of Mato Oput could non be
accomplished until farther funds were raised. Thus the Elders explained that “the ritual was a temporary i amidst the prevailing conflict.”
Goat beingness slaughtered for sacrifice,Acholiland
Dwoko Ayoo This item ceremony is performed typically to reconcile a conflict betwixt members of the same menage unit of measurement or clan, inward the belief that such conflict offends the ancestors in addition to equally a result, ushers inward ‘bad spirits’ in addition to brings misfortune. In some cases, it has been adapted when a somebody has returned from captivity inward monastic tell to “restore hope, promote cleansing [of] evil spirits [and] cool people’s hearts [in the menage unit of measurement in addition to extended community.” The ceremony is composed of several elaborate rituals. The ceremony begins with a ritual approving yesteryear the Elder of the menage unit of measurement using a pike (tong) in addition to moo-cow broom (oywec dyang) on which he spits and
calls upon the ancestors to ‘sweep away all evil spirits’ (In Acholi, the saliva of an Elder is considered to live sacred in addition to clean, in addition to is often used to render a blessing). A special cock called a latwol (snake) is in addition to so swung about the caput of the returnee (This is done iii or 4 times, depending on the gender of the returnee) in addition to his or her extended family, over again calling on the evil spirit (kipwola) ‘go towards the setting sun’. The cock is in addition to so killed. In the tertiary ritual, a caprine animal is speared in addition to the contents of the tum (wee) is removed in addition to smeared on the breast of the returnee in addition to siblings of the returnee to ‘cool people’s hearts’ of whatever tension. The washing of tears ceremony is in addition to so performed, followed yesteryear a feast of the sacrificed caprine animal and
cock yesteryear all witnesses to ‘avoid the relapse of the evil spirit’. The bones of the animals are collected together. Elders potable kwete in addition to blow the potable over the bones to also ‘cool them’. H5N1 celebration usually follows.
Road through Acholiland,Uganda
Gomo Tong
This symbolic ritual is non known to have got been practiced since the 1980s. Gomo Tong (Bending of Spears) is a vow betwixt 2 clans or tribes engaged inward trigger-happy conflict to terminate hostilities. It is done both with Mato Oput in addition to without, depending on the conflict. Elders from conflicting clans or tribes encounter to hash out the source of conflict, develop prevention strategies in addition to to warn the population to discontinue fighting. The mediator bends the pike to signify word is over. In the human activity of bending the spear, the spirits of both sides are evoked in addition to promised killings would stop. If, without due cause, conflict started again, the tip of the pike would turn dorsum against the aggressor.
Kwero Merok
This ceremony is performed after a conflict involving some other clan, when a foreigner has been killed yesteryear returning soldiers; or, alternatively, when a unsafe beast has been killed.
Acholi tribe human being from Uganda
Mato Oput
The ceremony of Mato Oput comes at the terminate of a long procedure of confession, mediation in addition to payment of compensation to reconcile 2 clans after a murder has occurred betwixt them.
Mato oput reconciliation rituals
The ceremony itself has various forms across dissimilar clans, but mutual characteristics include the slaughter of 2 sheep which are cutting inward one-half in addition to exchanged yesteryear both clans, in addition to the drinking of the bitter herb Oput yesteryear both clans to ‘wash away bitterness’. The ceremony continues to live practiced to date, although it was learned that a number of cases hold to live pending due to a lack of resources required for the elaborate ceremony.
Mato oput ritual ceremony,Acholiland,Uganda
The Mato Oput Ceremony of Acholi
Beating of the Stick: The beating of the stick seems to live broadly symbolic of the restorative motivation for a Mato Oput, although it was to a greater extent than specifically defined yesteryear Elders inward various ways:
a) The stick symbolizing the ‘next person’ who would live killed inward revenge,which the mediator stops the families from doing;
b) The beating of the stick symbolizes the “anger, bitterness” which could atomic number 82 to fighting in addition to acts of revenge if non mediated;
c) The beating of the stick illustrates to the spirit of the murdered somebody that he or she is cared for; a mediator symbolizes that without mediation, to a greater extent than expiry would have got followed through revenge killings.
d) In some other account, the stick symbolizes the ‘truth’, described equally of import to restoring justice. After beating the stick, the offending side runs away, symbolizing the acceptable guilt of the murder.
Mato Oput - Bitter Root - traditional justice Acholiland North Uganda
Slaughter of the Sheep in addition to Goat: The sheep, supplied yesteryear the offending clan, is a symbol of the cen that haunts the clan whose fellow member has committed murder or manslaughter. In some other account, however, the sheep was said to symbolize humility, because a sheep is a humble animal. The laroo (goat), supplied yesteryear the injured clan, is a symbol of unity, signalling that the injured clan is willing to forgive in addition to reconcile. The sheep
in addition to caprine animal are cutting inward half, in addition to the opposite sides are exchanged amongst the 2 parties. In i account, the sheep in addition to caprine animal stand upwards for the 2 parties prior to Mato Oput (separate entities), in addition to the cutting in addition to mixing symbolize the uniting of the 2 parties. The mouths of the sheep in addition to caprine animal are held together to preclude them from ‘crying’ out during the slaughter, which would live a bad omen.
Eating Spoiled Boo: Boo mukwok (spoiled boo, or local greens) is a sign that tension existed long plenty for nutrient to acquire spoiled. Eating the Boo mukwok symbolizes that the clans are ready to ‘Mato Oput ’ (reconcile) after such a long time.
Drinking of the Bitter Root: Oput (bitter root) is a symbol of the bitterness that exists betwixt the 2 clans. Drinking of Oput yesteryear both parties symbolizes the washing downwards of bitterness inward people’s hearts, acting equally a ‘medicine to cure the bitterness’. Participants potable spell kneeling down, with their heads bowed in addition to hands clasped behind their dorsum inward a demo of abide by to the murdered person. In some other account, hands were clasped behind backs to convey sincerity of never wanting to deal again. H5N1 representative of each political party drinks at the same fourth dimension from the calabash. Before drinking they yoko wic (literally ‘knocking heads’) to symbolize that where “heads have got been separated before, they are similar a shot united.”
Eating of the Liver: In the procedure of the ceremony, the acwiny (liver) of the sheep in addition to caprine animal are cooked in addition to eaten yesteryear both parties. In humans, the liver is idea to live the seat where all bitterness is stored, or variously the source of life, where all ‘blood is stored, in addition to blood is the source of life in addition to the unifying factor of all clans’. The liver of the sheep in addition to caprine animal are eaten yesteryear both parties to illustrate that their blood has been mixed in addition to united through the caprine animal in addition to sheep. The eating of the liver also symbolizes the washing away of all
bitterness stored inward the blood of the human liver. In i account, the eating of the liver also symbolizes ‘kweyo cwiny’ (calming downwards the conflicting parties yesteryear the mediator). Okutu Lacac/lacaa/lacaro is the musical instrument used to feed the liver to each of the parties.
Okutu Lacac symbolizes that tensions existing prior to Mato Oput would live ignored from that twenty-four hr menstruum forward. Another interpretation was that the thorns symbolized the thorny human relationship betwixt the 2 clans, resolved upon completion of the ceremony. Yet some other concern human relationship is that a thorn is used instead of hands, because the hands of the murderer are considered dirty in addition to would contaminate the food.
Mato Oput reconciliation rituals ceremony of Acholi people,Uganda
Eating Odeyo: Consuming Odeyo (what remains of a saucepan, used for mingling) is i of the lastly rituals of the ceremony. It is idea to gratis the involved parties to swallow together again.
Eating of Food: Eating of all the nutrient prepared for the twenty-four hr menstruum is an of import component division of the Mato Oput process. No nutrient should live taken seat afterwards, or the Mato Oput volition non live considered to live complete. Finishing the nutrient symbolizes no tensions or bitterness is left betwixt the 2 clans.
Mato oput rituals
THE LORD`S RESISTANCE ARMY
"Although intermixed with elements of Christianity in addition to Islam, the Lord`s Resistance Army (LRA) practise many of the same ritual practices in addition to beliefs of Acholi culture. This suggests such cultural practices could have got a positive healing lawsuit on returning rebels in addition to abductees themselves, although this needs careful handling yesteryear cultural leaders. The written report findings advise that cultural leaders have got built some confidence with the LRA, but that to a greater extent than needs to live done to reconcile trigger-happy differences betwixt them."
In monastic tell for a ritual to have got an impact, i needs to sympathize in addition to believe inward it. This was underscored yesteryear i returnee’s neighbour, who stated that “the effects of staying inward the bush is determined yesteryear what the kid was doing spell inward the bush in addition to their belief inward getting affected [by traditional rituals].” The researchers attempted to examine the cultural in addition to spiritual aspects in addition to aspirations of LRA commanders inward monastic tell to analyze how cultural leaders are attempting to counter these tactics in addition to hasten sustainable homecoming in addition to reintegration.
According to Acholi people, the Holy Spirit drives the continuation of the conflict. Former rebels stated that LRA Commander Joseph Kony claimed that the Holy Spirit of the Trinity communicates straight through him, in addition to is powerful plenty to overthrow the Government of Uganda. Kony is reported to have got several spirits which come inward him, although these were referred to live of “another world,” that is, non Acholi. However, old commanders were reluctant to divulge data regarding Kony’s spirits, or claim to live confused or non know nigh them.(Former LRA Commander Michael Opio, on the other hand, disagrees Kony has whatever jok. ‘He only talks nigh God’, implying his powerfulness is derived straight from the Holy Spirit, non Acholi Gods. Former LRA Commander Kamdulu differentiated betwixt tipu marac in addition to tipu maleng (the Holy Spirit), although expressed that it was hard to ever tell the difference betwixt the two.)
Alice Auma aka Lakwena, Acholi tribe woman, spirit medium in addition to rebel leader.in her flowing greenish wearing clothing in addition to caput wrap, says she is ready to atomic number 82 some other "holy war" against the Ugandan Government. She promises it volition live swift, if given simply 2 guns; she tin pick out the whole country, she says, inward iii days.
Nevertheless, speculations nigh the origins in addition to nature of Kony’s spirits abound in addition to a number of informants referred to the concept of Jok to clitoris them. Originating from the Palaro clan inward Odek, some Elders believe that Kony acquired his Jok (in this sense, spiritual power) from his grandpa who died equally he was carrying a minor stone on his caput spell crossing the River Aswa.( Rivers in addition to rocks or stone outcrops are places where Jok are believed to live concentrated, according to traditional Acholi culture. Hence many people avoid rivers in addition to stone outcrops inward fearfulness of encountering an evil or bad Jok). Reportedly, Kony found the stone in addition to Jok entered him. Others debate Kony’s Jok derived from the stone outcrops inward Aswa, spell soundless others advise the Jokpossessed firstly Kony’s blood brother and, upon his death, was transferred to Kony. Perhaps the most commonly known story nigh the origins of Kony’s Jok is that he derived them from his cousin, Alice Auma, old commander of the Holy Spirit Movement which ended inward 1988.
H5N1 number of rituals in addition to cultural items appear inward LRA practices. For example, the bulk of FAPs interviewed reported that presently after abduction they underwent a cleansing ritual that involved smearing moo-yaa (shea butter) on the breast which could non live washed for iii days for men, 4 days for women. Persons undergoing the ritual had to walk with bare breast during this time. Reasons for this initiation ritual were to take the “civilian way of life” from abductees, or “so that if someone escapes, he or she tin live easily traced, identified or caught.” In Acholi culture, shea trees are sacred, in addition to its butter is used for
blessings in addition to the anointment of chiefs.
Acholi kids
According to several Acholi people, cen did follow fighters returning to base of operations camps in addition to required rituals similar to Acholi to cleanse them. Former LRA Commander Michael Opio described i ritual involving the slaughter of 2 sheep that resembles Yubu Kum rituals inward Acholi. In it, the i sheep was burnt to ashes in addition to disregarded, the ash considered to comprise the essence of cen. The other was slaughtered in addition to placed across a hole which soldiers would circular in addition to and so stair on. In doing so, whatever cen within the soldier was released into the dead sheep. Instruction is in addition to so given for each fellow member to come inward a river to cleanse them of cen. Afterwards, i had to displace without looking dorsum until they reached their seat inward the bush.
Joseph Kony,Acholi tribe human being in addition to leader of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army
New comers to the LRA were also idea to have got cen, in addition to the initiation ritual was to cleanse them of this. Every month, each somebody inward i girl’s battalion were submerged inward H2O (3 times for boys, 4 times for girls) to cleanse them of whatever cen or evil spirits they may have got possessed. Blessings were also given earlier going into battle yesteryear sprinkling H2O on soldiers to build their confidence. While for a dissimilar purpose to that of Acholi culture, these rituals are also found inward Acholi-land.
However, at that topographic point are a number of LRA practices which significantly contradict Acholi culture. For instance, newcomers to the regular army were often forced to slumber or swallow with the dead. They reported beingness forced to swallow without beingness allowed to launder their hands after ‘killing,’ in addition to forced to laid upwards using a panga that had also been used to kill human beings. All of these acts are deep abominations of Acholi culture, in addition to a non bad offence to the ancestors. They could live interpreted equally a agency of quelling whatever wishing of the abducted to escape in addition to homecoming seat (where shame in addition to stigma is besides great). However, they are also potentially a shape of integrating novel members into the LRA belief scheme that sympathize the Acholi equally morally corrupt in addition to therefore, no longer human beings deserving cultural respect.
Acholi tribe kids inward Gulu, Uganda
There is also non bad bargain of intermixing of civilization in addition to organized faith inward the LRA. In the bush, preachers, or lupwonye dini, learn the LRA nigh the gospel in addition to the Holy Spirit with the goal of grooming each somebody to comport prayers. Before commencing an attack, in addition to upon homecoming from one, prayers are conducted yesteryear the LRA. The Holy Spirit is prayed to each fourth dimension a somebody escapes, to inquire for the somebody to return. Upon the expiry of a member, prayer ceremonies in addition to burial rites were also observed.
According to i grouping of returnees, Kony was a ‘seer’ who could predict the time to come with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Kony was described equally beingness able to predict attacks, attempted escapes, or betrayals. Claiming the Holy Spirit commands him, Kony volition pick out actions to thwart whatever danger or betrayal that he predicts volition happen. If the Holy Spirit predicted danger, rituals were undertaken to ward off offensive attacks. For example, inward Sudan, i immature lady reported that she was told to stair on the wee (ruminant) in addition to blood of a freshly slaughtered sheep “to halt opposition fighters from pursuing them on return.” Fasting in addition to tying palm leaves to their hands was practiced to ward off attacks. Going into battle, a number of returnees reported they tied stones to their wrists to protect them from bullets.
After returning from battle inward Uganda, returnees reported that they were told never to aspect dorsum to Republic of Uganda to avoid beingness followed yesteryear cen. The practise of ‘not looking behind’ is also a frequent lastly human activity after a ritual is performed inward Acholi culture. Other returnees reported that both goodness in addition to bad Jok existed inward the LRA belief system, in addition to were used equally a way to acre of study behaviour. The LRA were forced to follow strict codes of conduct. If broken, the somebody inward inquiry was punished non only physically, but the Jok would hasten injury or expiry during battle. Adultery, gender during a woman’s menstrual cycle, or eating during a fasting menstruum are
examples of abominations, insulting the Holy Spirit in addition to resulting inward sickness, injury or expiry on the battlefield. Like old rebel commanders of the Holy Spirit Movement, Alice Lakwena then, LRA injuries or expiry on the battlefield was often blamed on violations of the codes of comport outlined yesteryear the Holy Spirit.
Moreover, the human relationship betwixt the top commanders in addition to Acholi Elders in addition to Rwodi is complex. While deeply suspicious of the Acholi people, specially Elders, Kony in addition to others are said to abide by sure enough Elders in addition to Chiefs. In Dec 2004, Kony called the Paramount Chief of Acholi to inquire for a coming together betwixt LRA in addition to their ‘forefathers’ earlier whatever official meetings took seat with the Chief Mediator Betty Bigombe. This coming together took place, in addition to the Paramount Chief provided counsel to the rebels to discontinue their attacks on civilians. Commanders have got met other chiefs on a number of occasions in addition to have got released
their wives in addition to children to them inward goodness faith.
Lord’s Resistance Army Colonel Thomas Kwoyelo, a senior rebel officer, arrived inward Republic of Uganda Midweek after his capture during the offensive against guerrillas inward the Congo. (James Akena/Reuters)
However, after the failed peace talks inward 1994, Kony is said to have got viewed Elders equally having betrayed him in addition to the LRA. He thence instructed his companionship to no longer abide by or trust Acholi Elders. This rift was lately reiterated yesteryear an unidentified old commander at the Paraa retreat of Acholi leaders:
"Then on the war, permit us aspect at it truthfully. Was it started yesteryear Kony? I wishing to say to you,
that earlier I came hither for this meeting; I hated all of you. I hated you lot all because you lot have
been cowards. At the firstly of the state of war many supported it. But later you lot all turned away
without giving guidance to the ones who had remained inward the bush. That is what I term as
cowardice."
After the people began to comply with the UPDF’s armed forces campaign, Kony also extended his distrust to the Acholi people. Hence, volume abuctions, mutilations, massacres in addition to ambushes were seen equally justified in addition to component division of Kony’s Holy state of war to terrorize people. The reconciliation talked of today inward Acholi, then, is i betwixt the LRA in addition to the Elders who reportedly turned their backs on Kony. Many proverbs in addition to claims are made inward Acholi to this end. Additionally it sheds calorie-free on the fact the Acholi leadership have got played their ain component division inward the conflict and, through their various efforts at talks, confidence building, amnesty in addition to promoting forgiveness, they all play an of import role inward laying the foundation to terminate the conflict. This is a frail in addition to complex process.
Acholi tribes people of Lord`s Resistance Army
Finally, Finnström has argued that the discourse of reconciliation inward Acholi potentially farther alienates LRA leadership, rather than builds their confidence inward returning home. As implied inward the Amnesty Act in addition to Acholi traditional justice, at that topographic point is a demand to acknowledge guilt in addition to to live forgiven yesteryear the offended party. LRA leaders hold to resist whatever wrongdoing but instead emphasize their political agenda which Acholi leaders hold to abandon.
Support yesteryear the Government of Republic of Uganda to traditional institutions in addition to practices, in addition to the unanswered questions regarding how traditional justice would extend nationally may farther fuel suspicions. All of this begs the question, how far tin a purely ‘neutral’ cultural approach to peace in addition to justice go to address the political differences which so bitterly split parties to this conflict? Despite the evident contradictions, time to come policies on justice in addition to reconciliation would live ill-informed if the cultural in addition to spiritual dimensions of this conflict were non taken into consideration.
Acholi tribe man,Uganda. Photo by Charlie Shoemaker
Source:http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/sites/liu/files/Publications/JRP/15Sept2005_Roco_Wat_I_Acoli.pdf
Alice Lakwena,Acholi brave adult woman who inspired people to deal with sticks in addition to brooms
Acholi girl
Acholi people
Acholi woman
Geoffrey Oryema, exiled singer.
Acholi dancers,Kitgum,Uganda
Acholi adult woman carrying her babe on the dorsum in addition to roofing it with calabash to protect it from scorching sun
Julianne Okot p’Bitek, Acholi woman
Acholi beads,Gulu,Uganda
Acholi trivial girl
A grouping of 4 Acholi men. They are all belongings shields in addition to wearing plume caput ornaments in addition to creature skins (leopard in addition to perchance monkey) about their shoulders. The paradigm seems to have got been taken sometime inward Jan 1879 when Buchta travelled through Acholi country, Northern Uganda, en route to Bunyoro.
Acholi women
A grouping of Acholi men in addition to youths of South Sudan standing inward front end of a homestead at the pes of a colina with large rocky outcrops behind. They are all belongings shields in addition to spears in addition to a number are wearing plume caput ornaments in addition to creature skins about their shoulders. The paradigm seems to have got been taken sometime inward Jan 1879 when Buchta travelled through Acholi solid ground en route to Bunyoro.
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