In the far Kisoro District, Southwestern Uganda, there live the Bafumbira. The Bafumbira are Bantu ethnic group living in Kisoro and consist of 3 indigenous groups – The Batwa, Batutsi and Bahutu.
The Bafumbira are believed to have similar morale principles like the Banyarwanda of Rwanda. They occupy an area also dominated by the Banyarwanda people, and neighboring them is Congo to the West. Kisoro is one of the hilly and rugged areas in Uganda.
Origin
The Bafumbira community is composed of the Batwa, Batutsi and Bahutu. Most of the Bafumbira speak Banyarwanda and Kinyarwanda. The Batwa are among the ancient people to live in East Africa and so are the Bambuti of Mt. Rwenzori and Ndorobo of Kenya. The Bafumbira formed part of the Kingdom of Rwanda till 1910 when Kigezi was annexed to Uganda by the colonialists. While in Rwanda, they were under rule of chiefs who also were led by Abami.
Language
Bafumbira speak Rufumbira language also Kinyarwanda dialect. They are only different in terms of accents and vocabulary.
Clans that form Bafumbira community
The clan organization among the Bufumbira is almost like that of Baganda. Over 8 major clans make up the Bufumbira. Take note that Bafumbira don’t name their children using clan-related names. The different clans that make up the Bafumbira community; Abasindi, Abasinga, Abachaba, Abasigi, Abagiri, Abungura, Abagahe, Abazigaba, Abatundu, Abarihira, Abagara and others. The clans are further sub-divided forming different sub-clans/groups.
Marriages
The parents of the bride and groom were responsible organizing the marriage activities. At this stage, the boy and girl won’t have any idea of the marriage arrangements till the actual marriage date. This was more like marriage between strangers. The only meeting point could be the room after the wedding and cows and goats were commonly used for paying dowry/bride price.
Religious beliefs
Before introduction of other religions, all Bafumbira worshipped one god – Imana also referred to as Rurema. He was referred to as creator, provider and judge of all. They observed Nyabingi and Lyangombe biheko as mediums to Imana and also shrines were places they received sacrifices. With introduction of new religions, most of the Bafumbira have since turned to Christianity and Islam.
Food
Sorghum is the staple food for most Bafumbira people. They prepare sorghum grains once harvested fresh or eat raw in case they are harvested dry. Sorghum can also be ground to make flour and make different drinks. They also plant potatoes which do well along the volcanic soils. Other crops grown in the Bufumbira communities include Irish potatoes, beans, peas and maize.
Burial methods
When a Mufumbira person dies, he/she was laid to rest the same day he or she died. This is especially for low class category and high-end class/wealthy, they could give at least 2 days then burry the person. The body could be buried in mats.
Naming children
The children were named based on the situation/circumstance. Children never took clan names. Senzoga for instance could be given to a new born who was birthed during the brewing beer season.
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