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Isingoma Labongo Rukidi

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Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi
Omukama of Bunyoro
Reignc. 16th century
SuccessorOchaki Rwangira
BornBukidi (Lango sub-region)
Burial
Dyangi[a]
SpousesIremera; Bunono
HouseBiito dynasty
FatherKyomya
MotherNyatworo

Isingoma Rukidi Mpuga, also called Labongo,[2][b] was the first Biito king (Omukama Omubiito) of Bunyoro-Kitara in present-day western Uganda.[3] In Nyoro tradition, he is considered to be the twin brother of Kato Kimera, the first king of Buganda.[4]

Early life

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Nyoro tradition

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In Nyoro tradition, Isingoma Mpuga Rukidi was born in Bukidi as the second son of Kyomya, a member of the Chwezi dynasty, and Nyatworo, the daughter of a Lango man called Labongo,[c] of the Mukwonga clan. He was the younger brother of Nyarwa, the twin brother of Kato and the older brother of Kiiza.[5] Isingoma is derived from the Nyoro phrase ise-ngoma, meaning "father (of the) drum(s)".[6] 'Mpuga' comes from the name of a black-and-white cattle, empuuga, referencing Rukidi's mixed ancestry.[7][8] The name 'Rukidi' references his birthplace.[9]

Rukidi and his brothers are said to have been hunters who were loved by the people of Bukidi.[10][9] One day, a diviner called Nyakoka[d], also from Bukidi, approached them and told them to go to Kitara, because then the country lacked a king, and they did so.[7] Nyakoka accompanied them on the journey.[11][12]

Acholi tradition

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In Acholi tradition, Labongo was a son of Olum and a brother of Gipiir and Tiful.[13]

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ John Nyakatura adds that Rukidi's garments were buried in Masaijagaka, Chope.[1]
  2. ^ also spelt Labong'o
  3. ^ Not to be confused with Rukidi himself, who is also called Labongo in some sources.
  4. ^ also spelt Nyakoko

Citations

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  1. ^ Nyakatura 1973, p. 66.
  2. ^ Ogot 1967, p. 59.
  3. ^ Beattie 1971, pp. 52–53.
  4. ^ Beattie 1960, p. 15.
  5. ^ Nyakatura 1973, pp. 24, 50.
  6. ^ Apuuli 1994, chapter 3.
  7. ^ a b Beattie 1971, p. 52.
  8. ^ Wrigley 2012, p. 225.
  9. ^ a b Nyakatura 1973, p. 50.
  10. ^ Fisher 1911, p. 111.
  11. ^ Nyakatura 1973, p. 52.
  12. ^ Fisher 1911, p. 112.
  13. ^ Jendia 2019, p. 17.

Sources

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  • Fisher, Ruth Alice (1911). Twilight Tales of the Black Baganda. London: Marshall Brothers, Ltd.
  • Beattie, John (1960). Bunyoro: An African Kingdom. Holt, Rinehart and Winston. ISBN 978-0305246525. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  • Ogot, Bethwell A. (1967). History of the Southern Luo. Vol. 1. East African Publishing House.
  • Beattie, John (1971). The Nyoro State. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198231714.
  • Nyakatura, John W. (1973). Uzoigwe, Godfrey N. (ed.). Anatomy of an African Kingdom: A History of Bunyoro-Kitara (PDF). Translated by Muganwa, Teopista (English ed.). New York City, New York, USA: NOK Publishers, Ltd. ISBN 0-88357-025-4.
  • Apuuli, David Hihumuro (1994). A Thousand Years of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom - The People and the Rulers. Fountain Publishers.
  • Wrigley, C.C. (2012). "The Story of Rukidi". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 43 (3): 219–235.
  • Jendia, Catherine (2019). "The cultural factor in conflict management/resolution: A case study of the Acholi of Northern Uganda". African Journal of History and Culture. 11 (2): 15–25.
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