Massa Road, Off Bududa Ring Road Highway
Learn Uganda's Cultural Heritage
from the Bamasaba Perspective
The Bagisu people or Bamasaba inhabit the western and southern halves of Mount Elgon. On the West, the mountain spreads like the fingers of a hand with steep and narrow valleys between them. On the South, the land is broken and consists of a jumble of hills jammed against a high escarpment like a crumpled table cloth. The escarpment fades gradually to a plain leading away to the North-East, inhabited by the Iteso tribe.
The Bagisu speak a dialect of the Lumasaba language called Lugisu, which is fully understandable by other dialects, and is also understood by the Bukusu. The Bagisu or Bamasaba undergo a circumcision ritual called the Imbalu. The ritual is held every two years during the month of August.
Origin of Bagisu (Bamasaba) People: The Bagisu have no tradition of an early migration from any where. They assert that their ancestors were called ‘Mundu’ and ‘Sera’, whom tradition says came out of a hole in Mountain Masaba (Elgon). Their early life seems to have been anti-social, almost based on the principle survival of the fittest. Very little is so far known about their history but they are known to be related to a sub-group of the Luhya of Kenya known as the Bukusu.
The Bagisu are believed to have separated from the Bukusu sometime in the 19th century. The tradition claiming that they have always lived where they are throughout history is not fashionable. The earliest Immigrants into Bugisu area are believed to have moved to Mount Elgon area during the 16th century from the eastern plains.
Cultural Centre Amenities
Cultural Village
The cultural village houses, the traditional huts for shelter and Crop Farmers. The village also boasts of a spacious Amphitheater and a venue for bonfires and story telling.
Craft Shop
While here, take the time to visit our cultural resident shop where you will find a variety of books and beautiful traditional costumes that shed light on the history of Bagishu.
Village Walks / Tours
Reenact tradition by trekking to villages & visit other local attractions. A guide tour will give you first hand experience about the way of life of the region.
Cultural Cuisine & Delicacies
Traditional foods among the Bagisu are too adventurous. These include Malewa, Bufukye, Makila, Kamalwa, Kumushelekhe & Shinoko. Malewa is the most prominent dish among the Bagisu & is made up with smoked fish.
Imbalu Ceremony
The Bagisu Imbalu Public Circumcision Rites, where Boys Become Men Ritual is an integral part of the Traditional Beliefs of the Bagisu. The Bagisu strongly believe in & is part of their traditional religious beliefs, culture & tradition.
Bull Fighting
The Mbale bull fighting tradition in Bududa began in 1956. Long before bull fights became a fascination, locals were engaging in infamous pastimes. It is said that locals used to gather and watch men wrestle and pierce each other with spears.
CULTURAL CENTRE
