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Wang Lei Alur cultural and Rwenzori Mountains sites are at high risk of extinction due to negative impact of climate change, Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda new report has revealed.
According to the findings affected cultural sites associated values and traditions have already disappeared.
The stress that Wang Lei along river nile is under threat of being washed away by the rising waters.
Wang Lei is not only important for the Alur but also for the entire luo nation. This is the point where the legendary Gipir and Labongo brothers parted ways leading to the formation of the Acholi and Alur people.
The site and associated values continues to define the cultural identity of millions people of Northern Uganda and beyond.
According to the report titled: Mitigating the impact of climate change on Uganda’s cultural heritage in Rwenzori and Alur sub-regions, 2020 says way of life of these communities have changed with most people displaced by floods and rising waters.
The report further indicates that the receding glaciers of the Rwenzori mountains have not only threatened the cultural heritage of the surrounding communities.
Simon Musasizi Ccfu Project Coordinator for Melting snow and flooding River says the Bakonzo have gradually lost snow on mountain Rwenzori.
According to him, In November 2020 the floods paralyzed the transport system with vehicles unable to cross from one side of the river to the other. The site caretaker and high priest, Jalobo Walter had banana plantation by the river side but destroyed.
“For the Bakonzo, the gradual loss of the snow and increasingly destructive violence of rivers in flood has led to disappearance of several sites of cultural importance while Wang Lei cultural site has also been affected,” Musasizi said.
Wang Lei at the heart of the luo culture
Wang Lei has maintained its symbolic function as source of ethical identity for the luo people avast ethical group occupying parts of Uganda, democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and South Sudan.
This is the place where probably 5 or 6 centuries ago, the Kings two sons and luo founding figures.
Nyipiri and Nyabongo separated following a fight and took different directions symbolized by the throwing of an axe into the river that separated its waters. The brothers vowed to no longer fight after taking reconciliatory meal. This separation resulted in the creation of several ethinic luo sub groups particularly the Alur now living on the western Bank of the Nile and Acholi on the opposite bank.
Wang Lei under the administration of Alur chiefs has become a pilgrimage ground for the luo to retrace their origin. An annual ceremony today known as Nyipiri and Nyabongo day is celebrated nevdty 18th February in memory of the historic separation. This is marked by ritual known as thump Wang Lei by the high priest and caretaker Jalobo Walter Omot
“If Wang Lei was to be taken away from me, I would lose my protection against armed conflicts. My history would be erased because we trace our history from Wang Lei,” Says Okumu John Jolly Curator of the Ker Kwonga Panyimur Meseum.
Ccfu in partnership with International National Trust Organisation is implementing a project aimed at contributing to the preservation of the important elements of the cultural heritage of communities in the Rwenzori and Alur regions.
The project is also funded by British Council s cultural protection fund which not only illustrates the relationship between climate change and natural heritage but also shows why measures to address climate change require the involvement of diverse stakeholders especially cultural leaders.
The project is being implemented include collaboration with Ker Alur, Ker Kwaro Avholi and Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu.
Ccfu interventions
At Wang Lei, Ccfu has implemented project on partnership with the luo communities of Alur and Acholi, constructed a 40 meter long retaining wall to safe guard the site from rising waters.
“This wall is reinforced with vegetation cover thanks to planting indigenous trees and deep rooted grass to control soil erosion. An information board was also erected to create awareness about the cultural significance of Wang Lei and the need to preserve the site, “Musasizi said.
Alur Prime Minister Hon Vincent Ochaya urged government to recognise the site and gazatte Nyipiri and Nyabongo cultural day celebrations on Uganda calendar and support interventions geared towards preservation of the sites
” These are historic sites that government should recognise and promote to boost tourism. We also need additional resources to control floods destroying the sites,” Ochaya said.
Baluku Erikana culture, tourism and native administrator of the Rwenzururu Kingdom Says although they faced nagative impact of climate change like flooding resulting into people displacement, they have deversed measures to restore the cultural sites.
One such measures include planting of trees especially bamboo, discouraging farming along river banks, banning Charcoal burning and encouraging terracing along Rwenzori mountains.
Effects of Climate change are being felt through out Uganda in different ways whether agricultural production, forestry, water levels in rivers and lakes.
Check also;
- Alur Community Demand Nyapiri Cultural Day Celebrations On Uganda Calendar
- Avoid Politics Of Tribe And Identity – Museveni
- Meet The Mundari: The tribe dying for their cows
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