From the oral traditions of Bunyoro, the Bachwezi are thought of as demigods who reigned before the emergence of the Babito dynasty. Some weeks back, the Commander of the UPDF Land Forces tweeted about the security situation in Uganda, making a reference to the ancient Chwezi civilisation and how it’s descendants cannot be vanquished.
Full Answer
What is the significance of the Bachwezi dynasty?
The Bachwezi Dynasty. Introduction. The Bachwezi are believed to the founders of the ancient empire of Kitara which included areas of Uganda; northern Tanzania, western Kenya and Eastern Congo. They were believed to possess spiritual powers and they were therefore accorded the status of demi- gods and worshipped by some local people at the time.
Who were the Bachwezi in Kenya?
The Bachwezi are believed to the founders of the ancient empire of Kitara which included areas of Uganda; northern Tanzania, western Kenya and Eastern Congo. They were believed to possess spiritual powers and they were therefore accorded the status of demi- gods and worshipped by some local people at the time.
When did the Cwezi arrive in Uganda?
Many modern scholars believe the Cwezi first arrived in Western Uganda around 500 AD. They migrated from north of the river Nile and brought with them more organized social structures and established kingdoms in eastern Africa.
What happened to the Bachwezi Kings?
The bachwezi are believed to have ruled for a short time and the documented Bachwezi Kings were Ndahura, Mulindwa and Wamara. It is not clear of what happened to the Bachwezi and there are many stories told about the disappearance of the Bachwezi.
Why are the Bachwezi still remembered in the history of Uganda?
The Bachwezi are believed to the founders of the ancient empire of Kitara which included areas of Uganda; northern Tanzania, western Kenya and Eastern Congo. They were believed to possess spiritual powers and they were therefore accorded the status of demi- gods and worshipped by some local people at the time.
How did the coming of the Bachwezi contribute to the economic development of Uganda?
Contributions of the Bachwezi empire 1. Economic contributions i) They introduced long horned cattle ii) They introduced iron smelting iii) They introduced bark cloth making iv) They introduced coffee growing v) They introduced pottery 2.
What did the Bachwezi do in Uganda?
In addition to founding the empire of Kitara, the bachwezi are further credited with the introduction of the unique, long horned ankole cattle, coffee growing, iron smelting, and the first semblance of organized and centralized government, under the king.
Who are the Bachwezi people?
The Bachwezi are said to have been the ancestors of the Bahima, Bahuma, Batutsi and Bahinda. The people who lived before the Bachwezi, who also became their subjects are said to have been the Bantu Basita, Bantu Banyambo, the Batwa and the Bahutu.
Why Bigobyamugenyi is still remembered in the history of Uganda?
The Bigo Bya Mugenyi is a prehistorical place in Mawogola county, it's side that the Chwezi also known as the Bachwezi were the first people to settle in the Bigo Bya Mugenyi, western and central parts of Uganda this group of people are also believed to have been the first people to settle in Uganda during the 11th to ...
How did the Bachwezi contribute to the development of East Africa socially?
POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES BROUGHT BY THE CHWEZI , the Bachwezi introduced the idea of putting on cow hide sandals. They introduced the idea of building palaces with reeds for protective purpose.
Do Bachwezi still exist?
Thereafter, they split into independent kingdoms of Buganda, Busoga and Ankole. Nonetheless, conservative citizens believe the Bachwezi still exists in the underworld.
When did the Bachwezi disappear?
About 2000 years ago, it is said that the Bachwezi or Chwezi people disappeared either in Lake Tanganyika or River Wamala following an attack by the Luo at the time they were battling diseases and famine. They are believed to have occasionally disappeared only to reappear in other locations.
Who was the first ruler of the Bachwezi?
This union produced King Isimbwa who later fathered Ndahura in Runyakitara (known in Rwanda as Ndahiro and in Buganda as Ndaula), the first of the Chwezi dynastic kings.
Who was the king of Bachwezi?
The Bachwezi dynasty was very short-lived, as there are only 3 chwezi known kings, who were Ndahura, Mulindwa, and Wamara; in this respective order.
Where was the capital of Bachwezi?
Two of the Bachwezi rulers are remembered. They were Ndahura whose capital was at Mubende hill and Wamara whose capital was at Masaka hill.
Who was the last king of the Bachwezi?
Today locals visit the shrines to pay homage to Nakayiwa of the Bachwezi dynasty, the Bachwezi were said to be demi gods and this tree is said to be home of all their spirits they were respected by the Buganda and Banyoro people. Nakayima was the princess the daughter to the last Bachwezi king Ndahura.
How did the size of Bunyoro Kitara empire lead to its decline?
Bunyoro began to decline in the late eighteenth century due to internal divisions. Buganda seized the Kooki and Buddu regions from Bunyoro at the end of the century. In the 1830s, the large province of Toro separated, claiming much of the lucrative salt works.
Why did the Bachwezi dynasty collapse?
About 2000 years ago, it is said that the Bachwezi or Chwezi people disappeared either in Lake Tanganyika or River Wamala following an attack by the Luo at the time they were battling diseases and famine. They are believed to have occasionally disappeared only to reappear in other locations.
How did the Batembuzi dynasty come to an end?
Wamala, like his demi-god ancestors, disappeared to a lake named after him in central Uganda. Finally, that was the end of the Batembuzi and Bachwezi dynasty and the beginning of Bunyoro-Kitara under the Babiito. You can visit the sites in this story on a cultural tour by Us, contact us here.
Who was Isimbwa?
Nyamiyonga welcomed the Nyoro king, but he had not forgiven him, and he never allowed him to return to the world of men. In due course, Nyamata's child was born and was named Isimbwa. See also: Ndahura, Ruhanga, Wamara.
How did the Cwezi travel?
Along with teleportation, many folk tales describe the Cwezi as traveling through the air by levitating. They are said to have passed on the knowledge of this mystical skill and the Gisaka people in Rwanda and Karagwe claim to have held and used this secret skill until as recently as the 1980s.
How many feet did the Cwezi have?
It was said that the Cwezi had one foot on earth and another foot astral. ( Korionov / Adobe Stock) Traditional descriptions of the Cwezi are of a race who were remarkably tall, with dark brown skin (with the notable exception of one folktale recounted by C.C Wrigley which describes them as white.)
What is the Shishingo Diadem?
It is believed that any thief who finds the shishingo diadem, a Cwezi Cult emblem, in their loot will fall victim to its powers and be killed.
What is the Cwezi cult?
The Cwezi Cult is known both as a ‘cult of affliction’ and a ‘spirit society’. They have been largely overlooked by most sources, but they are known locally for their unusual beliefs and an association with dark magic and witchcraft.
What game did the Cwezi make?
The Cwezi created the complicated board game - Omweeso. (Moongateclimber / Public Domain ) Although they raised cattle, they were largely vegetarian and would mainly have used the cows for their milk. Along with cattle, they also cultivated plants and they were considered very proficient as farmers.
What is the issue of Cwezi teleportation?
The issue of Cwezi teleportation is also a potential explanation for the existence of similar people in the folktales of cultures across the continent – from the Ife people in Western Africa to the San in the Kalahari or the Mali in southern Africa.
What are some evidences that the Cwezi possessed superhuman abilities?
Evidence of Superpowers. One of the things that has been cited as evidence the Cwezi possessed superhuman abilities is the construction of the pyramids. They were constructed from 30 ton blocks of rock, which were transported a tremendous distance from their territory in South Sudan to Cairo.
Where are the Batembuzi from?
The Batembuzi. The Batembuzi were a medieval civilisation in the Lake Victoria Nyanza region in Eastern Africa . They are credited by mythology and oral tradition to be the originators of the Empire of Kitara.
Who was the founder of the Batembuzi Dynasty?
The founder of the Batembuzi dynasty is said to have been Ruhanga , also considered the to be the creator. Isaza is considered the last of the Batembuzi dynasty , however the Bachwezi dynasty are said to descend from Isaza .
Why were the Batembuzi believed to be the first people on earth?
They were believed have been the first people on earth and were super-humans because they did not die. They simply disappeared into the underworld. It is said the dynasty of the Batembuzi was founded by Ruhanga the creator who was succeeded by his son Nkya and Nkya was succeeded by his son Kakama and Kakama was succeeded by his son Isaza who latter ...
What is the Batembuzi?
The much known about Batembuzi is based on mythology and oral tradition. The Batembuzi are known to have been the pioneers of development not only in Uganda but also in Africa and the Far East. The Batembuzi were the first kings of Bunyoro over 2000 years ago. Their reign dates back to the Africa’s Broze age.
What were the problems Rugambanabato faced?
Isaza Waraga Rugambanabato ascended to the throne when was still very young and he faced many difficulties including the first cricket disasters during his reign. The crickets are known to have destroyed forests and all plants. The King and his people could not defeat these crickets because were so many.
Why did Rugambanabato prefer the old men to the young men?
From then, Rugambanabato preferred the old men to the young men and agreed to be advised by the elders because young people were not able to save him. He respected the old people from that time onwards. It is said the lineage of the Batembuzi kings was as follows; Ruhanga, the creator. Nkya, brother of Ruhanga.
Where did crickets eat trees?
Trees that were most liked by crickets were planted and the crickets left Lake Nzige and started eating these trees from Lake Nzige to Lake Rwitanzinge. How the old men were allowed back in the region. Rugambanabato enjoyed hunting.
Why couldn't the King defeat crickets?
The King and his people could not defeat these crickets because were so many. Scientists of the era sat down and tried to look for a solution and it was revealed by scientists that Lakes Rwitanzige’s water was poisonous and could kill millions of crickets.
What did Rugambanabato do after killing a gazelle?
Rugambanabato enjoyed hunting. One day after killing a young gazelle, which had a nice skin, he expressed a wish to put on the skin of the young gazelle. His friends made the skin into the form of a cloth and gave it to him.
