Cultural Encounters

Cultural Encounter in Uganda

Uganda is termed the pearl of Africa and possesses diverse hospitable cultures with over 60 tribes and over 40 languages spoken by different Bantu ethnic tribes in the country. Therefore on your visit to the country there numerous activities which the country can offer ranging from game viewing especially the big 5, mountain gorilla encounter, chimpanzee trekking, mountain climbing, rafting, boat cruise among others but understanding the unique cultures that traverse these primate areas is very crucial and entertaining.

Cultural attractions in Uganda

Visiting the Uganda Museum

The Uganda Museum is located in Kampala the capital city of Uganda which displays and exhibits ethnological, natural-historical, and traditional life collections of Uganda’s cultural heritage. This is East Africa’s oldest museum and it was founded in 1908 after Governor George Wilson called for “all articles of interest” on Uganda to be procured. Also among the collections in the Uganda Museum are playable musical instruments, hunting equipment, weaponry, archaeology, and entomology.

Culture wherever is portrayed by dance and drama as the most component of cultural ceremonies alongside songs and this is actually what you can hope to the observer on your  Uganda Cultural Tour Language and Religion.

Batwa experience

Encounter the cultural traditions and customs of the indigenous Batwa community that inhabits the thick vegetation forests where they hunt animals, gather food, and get medicine. Some of the Communities with Cultural encounters in Bwindi include; Buhoma Community, Nkuringo Community Conservation and Development Foundation (NCCDF), Nkuringo Cultural Centre (NCC). The Batwa are also found in Mgahinga National Park and clearly demonstrate hunting techniques, gather honey, point out medicinal plants, and demonstrate how to make bamboo cups. Guests are invited to the sacred Garama Cave which used to act as their hideout and there is a lot of history to learn from these communities on your visit.

Hand Crafting

One of the basic skills that have been pushed to generations by African natives especially women. This is therefore displayed in different hand skills which are focused on different ethnic settings which make a distinction in items being woven and in return give similarity to other craftwork of different ethnic groups in items like basketry, pottery, wood-carving among others. All this can be accessed once you travel to the country where you can as well contribute directly to improve the standards of native communities.

Cultural encounter to the north

To the northern part of the country, you will encounter the Karamojong and the IK people who are basically nomadic pastoralists with large herds of cattle, the locally built Manyattas houses similar to those of the Masai in Kenya and Tanzania are a wonder to visit. These cultures possess rich history which is as well displayed in different art and craft, way of dressing, jewelry which you can purchase as your souvenir upon your visit.

The dance performance once you visit Kidepo valley national park in this region is thrilling as different groups like the Emuya of the Nyangai, Lara Karaka and Apiti dances of the Acholi will keep you entertained on your stay in the country.

Cultural encounter to Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison falls national park is the largest national park in Uganda with a lot of tourism potential ranging from game viewing, chimpanzee trekking, and white water rafting among other activities. However, amidst all those attractions, an encounter with the surrounding communities like the Alur in the North West, Acholi in the northeast, and Banyoro in the south create a hospitable environment where visitors get entertained on there visit the park. Different community groups in the area like Boomu Women’s group are always present to take visitors to participative activities like craft making, local food preparation among others.

Cultural encounter with Queen Elizabeth National Park

A visit to Queen Elizabeth national park can never be complete without an encounter to different vibrant women groups who keep visitors entertained after a long day full of activities at there rest centers. Here different groups perform traditional dances, drama, fire making, and a lot of craft-making like recycling magazines into colorful paper beads for necklaces which keep visitors entertained and learn more about African cultures through storytelling.

Cultural encounters in Rwanda

A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center which is home to the largest Rwanda’s artifact and history, a touch of most collected remains of the genocide, a is a place where the names of those who were killed in the genocide are written on the wall.

Visiting genocide memorial centers and cultural tours which include a visit to Nyamata memorial site which Before the genocide, was a church however during the war approximately 2500 people had gone to take refuge in this church where they were killed depicts a lot of storytelling upon the lives of different travelers who visit Rwanda.

other centers include Murambi Genocide Memorial Site, Nyamata church genocide memorial site, Gisenyi genocide Memorial Site, Murambi Genocide Memorial Site all acting as a reminder of a time not so long ago when the country experienced 100 days of darkness and death and was in desperate need.

UMUGANDA DAY

Umuganda means getting together to gain a common purpose and according to Rwanda, people from different communities would call upon their friends, neighbors, and family together to help them accomplish a challenging task. In Rwanda today, this happens every fourth Saturday in the month and when this day comes, everyone from any part of the country finishes whatever they are doing, close businesses, and get together to involve in cleaning their neighborhoods, buildings, towns/cities, villages, etc. This is compulsory to every citizen of the beautiful country of Rwanda and mandatory for all to participate.

Contact us for your planned safari and our tour consultants will be ready to attend to your inquiries in time.