THE KARAMOJONG TRIBES CULTURAL TOUR UGANDA
Distinct and unique, often referred as primitive, backward and conservative by the already evolved societies but traditions still standout and lately has become a great destination for the people & cultural travelers to explore in Uganda. You can compare them to the Amazon or Papua guinea tribes.
The Karamojong are descendants of the Ethiopia (Abyssinia) Omo river valley Nomadic tribes that migrated South around 1600AD in search for grazing land and water for their animal. Some settled in Kenya the now the Masai, Karenjin and Pokot tribes, Others in South Sudan the Toposa and those who settled in Uganda are mainly the Jie and Dodoth tribes among others. In Uganda they are North Eastern districts of Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Napak, Nakapipit and Abim some encircling the Kidepo National Park.
The Biggest Manyatta village settlement in East Africa which is home for the Jie tribe is Nakapelimoru village with a population of over 30,000 in one settlement camp so unbelievable and its often referred to as home to the Jie warriors (Fighters). Karamojong manyattas are homestead with high level of hierarchy for Jie families surrounded with dry shrubs or sharp thorns with small entry for people and large entry for their livestock. One Manyatta harbors multiple families and a communal kraal. The women and children stay in the permanent Manyattas while the men and boys often migrate during the dry season in search for grazing pasture and water for their animals. Among the karamojong tribe’s livestock is the yardstick for wealth and any man who owns no livestock is not permitted to speak during cultural ceremonies or marry since it’s the resource for dowry as exchange for the brides.
Karamojongs are still considered backward and primitive because they have held on too long to their culture and traditional norms for instance justice is mannered by tribal elders, adultery and promiscuity is forbidden, education is a grey area to their culture, women are typical traditional house wives, facial and body tattooing is a characteristic of lineage and beauty. All these among others have held them together for so long that it’s often a challenge to front modern and civilized programs as long as elders see them as might be a source of disintegration of families.
Our North Eastern Culture & Nature wildlife tour helps you explore the land less traveled blending people & culture and nature wildlife. Traversing Mt Elgon Sipi falls to the tribal plains of the Jie Nakapelimoru Village in Kotido and the Ik-tribe camp of the Dodoth tribe in Kaabong to the Kidepo National park nature wildlife game to catch the Big five and other wild animals and birds. Access can be by flight or by road depending on itinerary schedules.
sunrise beauty in Kidepo National Park, Uganda
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