The Kebu tribe
The Kebu, also called Ke’bu, Okebu, or Ndu, are a tribe in North-western Uganda, west of River Nile (West Nile), on Uganda’s border with DR Congo.
The Kebu belong to the Nilotic ethnic group. They are part of the larger Kebu people living in Uganda and DR Congo. The Kebu are said to have originated from the Middle East earlier than the 13th century, travelling southward through Ethiopia, South Sudan, and entering Uganda through northern Uganda. During the migration there were three brothers: Kebu, Aliga, and Zamba. When the migrants reached South Sudan, Aliga and Zamba settled in South Sudan while Kebu continued south to northern Uganda where he founded the Kebu tribe that extended to DR Congo.
It’s said that upon arriving in Uganda, Kebu first settled in Metu (in present-day Moyo district) from where he continued to Umba Medigo (in present-day Yumbe district). In Umba Medigo, he was joined by Madi people. From Umba Medigo he moved and settled at the foot of Mountain Wati (in present-day Arua district) from where different groups from his group moved to DR Congo while others spread out in West Nile in Uganda where they became early inhabitants of West Nile; before the arrival of the Alurs in 1480 AD. Those that settled in West Nile became the Ugandan Kebu.
The Kebu belong to Kebu region under Ke’bu Rigangi Institution led by a Thebizi (leader). The current Thebizi is: Thebizi Ephraim Waringu Kebbi. The Kebu are both agricultural and ironsmiths. They farm millet, sorghum, cassava, maize, bananas, beans and other vegetables, and also do iron works. Their staple food is Millet, and Cassava. Millet is called “Kehu”, and Cassava is called “Ongura”. From millet or cassava flour, bread is made. This bread is eaten with “Kutu” (beans).
The Kebu dress code is traditionally animal skin and leaves. Their modern dress code includes Kitenge (from DR Congo).
The Kebu have a number of dances among which includes: Kazakaza dance. Kazakaza dance is a celebration dance that involves men drumming the “Diti” drum while women perform the dance. The dance is also accompanied by the rhythm of the flute.
The Kebu language is called “Kebutu”
The Kebu, together with the Alur and Lendu, are the guardians and custodians of West Nile’s food basket. Zombo district is the largest food producer in West Nile due to its fertile soils.
The Kebu are the guardians and custodians of West Nile’s Ironsmithing Industry. They are the historical Ironsmiths in West Nile whose iron working skills made them superior at the craft compared to their neighboring tribes. A lot of historical Iron works in West Nile are linked to the Kebu. However, their Iron works were affected by colonialists who banned local Iron works in favour of imported Iron tools. Today, the Kebu still practice their iron works through making weeding hoes, slashers and knives for sale in West Nile markets.
The Kebu, together with the Alur and Lendu, are the guardians and custodians of Nyagak Power Dam, the main source of hydro electricity in West Nile. Nyagak Power Dam produces 3.5MW of electricity which is generated from River Nyagak. The dam is located in Zombo district (Kebu/Lendu/Alur region) in one of Zombo’s green rocky hills and valleys.
The Kebu, together with the Alur and Lendu, are the guardians and custodians of Ngbungbu Falls on River Ora in Ugudu Village, Atyak Sub County, Zombo district.
The Kebu were early inhabitants of West Nile, having arrived there earlier than the 13th century.
There are 54,109 Kebu (2014 census) in Uganda. The Kebu are mainly found in Zombo district.
The Lendu tribe
The Lendu, also called Ndrukpa, Ndrǔdjá, or Ndru, are a tribe in North-western Uganda, west of River Nile (West Nile), on Uganda’s border with DR Congo.
The Lendu belong to the Nilotic ethnic group. They are part of the larger Lendu people living in Uganda and DR Congo. According to their legend, they originated from Egypt earlier than the 13th century, travelling southward through Ethiopia, South Sudan, and entering Uganda through northern Uganda. During the migration they were led by Ndru (their forefather) and it’s from his name that they were/are called, Ndru.
When they arrived in Bar-el-Ghazel in South Sudan, they settled there briefly. From Bar-el-Ghazel they continued south, this time under the leadership of Bbale (Ndru’s son), to northern Uganda. In northern Uganda, they settled at a place called Cere in present-day “Cerelendu” in Gulu district. From Cere, they moved along the eastern banks of Albert Nile up to near Lake Albert (in present-day Pakwach district) from where they crossed the Nile and headed to the Nile’s western side (present-day West Nile). In West Nile some of them settled there, becoming early inhabitants of West Nile, while others continued to DR Congo. Just like the Kebu, the Lendu settled in West Nile before the arrival of the Alurs in 1480 AD. It’s from the Alur that the Ndru got the name: “Lendu”.
The Lendu that settled in West Nile became the Ugandan Lendu. The Lendu belong to Lendu region under Ndrukpa Kingdom led by a Pey (King). The current Pey is: Pey Manasi Njuni Rapia II.
The Lendu are agricultural people. They farm millet, sorghum, cassava, maize, bananas, beans and other vegetables. Their staple food is Cassava, Millet, Maize, and Sorghum. Cassava is called “Udaará”, Maize is called “pkwi”, Sorghum is called “gôsa”.
From millet flour or cassava flour or sorghum flour, bread is made. This bread is eaten with “Ngira” (beans mixed with greens).
The Lendu dress code is traditionally animal skin and leaves. Their modern dress code includes Kitenge (from DR Congo). The animal skin dress code is called “Olao”.
Lendu dances include: Useke dance and Dhowma dance. Useke dance and Dhowma dance are celebration dances. Useke dance is also called Liy dance; it’s accompanied by the rhythm of a flute (liy) which is blown by men. Dhowma dance is a harps dance accompanied by tunes of bow harps (dhowma), drums and shakers.
The Lendu language is called “Ndrulo”.
The Lendu, together with the Kebu and Alur, are the guardians and custodians of West Nile’s food basket. Zombo district is the largest food producer in West Nile due to its fertile soils.
The Lendu, together with the Kebu and Alur, are the guardians and custodians of Nyagak Power Dam, the main source of hydro electricity in West Nile. Nyagak Power Dam produces 3.5MW of electricity which is generated from River Nyagak. The dam is located in Zombo district (Lendu/Kebu/Alur region) in one of Zombo’s green rocky hills and valleys. The Lendu, together with the Kebu and Alur, are the guardians and custodians of Ngbungbu Falls on River Ora in Ugudu Village, Atyak Sub County, Zombo district.
The Lendu are also the guardians and custodians of Lendu Forest, established in 1928.
The Lendu, just like Kebu were early inhabitants of West Nile, having arrived there earlier than the 13th century.
There are 18,919 Lendu (2014 census) in Uganda. The Lendu are mainly found in Zombo district.
The Kuku tribe
The Kuku, also called Bakuku, are a tribe in Eastern and North western Uganda.
The Kuku belong to the Nilotic ethnic group. They are part of the larger Kuku people living in Uganda and South Sudan, who originated from the Karo people in South Sudan. It’s said that internal differences within the Karo people caused the Kuku to break away and migrate south settling in present-day Kajo Keji on South Sudan’s south western border with Uganda. Due to various factors including ethnic conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan, some of the Kuku left their counterparts at Kajo Keji and moved to northern Uganda where they settled in present-day Moyo and Yumbe districts in West Nile. Some settled in refugee camps in West Nile, others in eastern Uganda in Kayunga district, while others spread out in central Uganda. The Kuku who settled in Uganda became the Ugandan Kuku and are sometimes called Bakuku to differentiate them from those in Kajo Keji in South Sudan.
The Ugandan Kuku are an egalitarian society without a general cultural leader. Much of the tribe leadership is at family level.
The Kuku are agricultural people. They farm millet, sorghum, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Their staple food is Millet and Sorghum. Sorghum is called “Dura”. From millet or sorghum flour, bread is made. This bread is eaten with “Loputu” (Beans). From sorghum, a drink called “Yawanatakbe” is made. In the past, however, the Kuku practiced little agriculture; they were wild gatherers collecting wild fruits and vegetables, hunters and bee keepers.
The Kuku dress code is traditionally animal skin and tree fiber.
The Kuku dance is called “Murye” dance. It’s a celebration dance.
The Kuku language is called “Kuku”.
The Kuku, together with the Banyala and Baganda, are the guardians of Kayunga district, home to the beautiful wild waters of Victoria Nile. These waters are great for Kayaking and rafting.
The Kuku, together with the Madi and Lugbara, are the guardians of Northern West Nile; Moyo and Yumbe districts.
There are 46,497 Kuku (2014 census) in Uganda. The Kuku are mainly found in Moyo, Yumbe, and Kayunga districts.