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Since achieving independence from Great Britain in 1962, the East African country of Uganda has been ravaged by political turmoil and the more recent crisis of the AIDS epidemic, but is now in the process of rebuilding and democratizing. Culture and Customs of Uganda is a fascinating overview of the current state of Ugandan society, where largely rural ethnic groups are experiencing the pull of urban centers, while the changes brought about by Western influences bear on practically every aspect of people's lives. Examples from the main ethnic groups are used to explain traditional culture and adaptations to modern life in religion, gender roles, courtship and marriage, work, education, family life, ceremonies, the arts, media, and more. This is the essential reference source to turn to for solid insight into Uganda.

The wealth of detail in the coverage of the subjects above plus the land, people, history, literature, architecture/housing, cuisine, dress, gender roles, social customs and lifestyle, provides readers with broad sense of the country and its inhabitants. The sensitive narrative conveys the nuances between old and new, urban and rural, elite and poor for each topic. In addition, the evolution of Ugandan peoples is superbly demonstrated. Highlights include a discussion of the ways in which adherents of world religions such as Christianity and Islam mix these with traditional African religious belief in spirits, diviners, and rainmakers. The book also explores patriarchy and the social and inheritance system that has hindered women's education and prospects and exposed them to HIV/AIDS. Finally, there is a celebration of the various forms of artistic expression, such as drumming, ceremonial dance, and handicrafts, particularly ceramic pottery, that have won accolades, as well as a look at artists who excel in writing poetry, producing hip-hop, and painting batiks for popular consumption.

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Customer Reviews (1)

Very informative
I bought this book (and many others) shortly before moving to Kitgum for four months.This was my favorite; I found this book to be interesting, informative, and unbiased. ... Read more

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Uganda's linguistic situation is complex. These papers from two conferences at Makerere University present a coherent and current picture. The book is divided into five parts: an overview of language and literacy issues in both Ugandan and international contexts; the issue of language for national communication; the role of local language in the education system; national policies and practices in teaching literacy and literature; and ways of encouraging a reading culture in Uganda. ... Read more

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Approached from a socio-physiological perspective, this study examines with reference to Africa, the role of cultural and social capital in the efforts of individuals, communities and other networks to overcome poverty and achieve a sustainable way of life. Moving beyond the familiar poverty indicators as from a conventional development-economics perspective, the study contests that culture plays a major role in development, as the psychological attitudes that determine human behavior and interaction are usually rooted in the cultural environment. It argues that socio-psychological individuals and their actions are the key to determining livelihoods and influencing communities; and that cultural and social capital - the shared values, knowledge, attitudes and expectations of a group or society - is vital for social cooperation and overall human-centered development. ... Read more

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Discusses the geography, history, government, economy, people, and culture of the African nation of Uganda. ... Read more

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Uganda has recently come to the attention to global strategic planners.This report puts these executives on the fast track.Ten chapters provide: an overview of how to strategically access this important market, a discussion on economic fundamentals, marketing & distribution options, export and direct investment options, and full risk assessments (political, cultural, legal, human resources).Ample statistical benchmarks and comparative graphs are given. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Countries and Their Cultures, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 1617 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Covers the broad range of popular religious culture of the United States at the close of the twentieth century. Beliefs, practices, symbols, traditions, movements, organizations, and leaders from the many traditions in the pluralistic American community are represented. Also includes cults and phenomena that drew followers, such as Heaven's Gale and UFOs. ... Read more

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The Baganda people of Uganda enjoy an extraordinarily rich oral tradition, which serves as a window into their cultural milieu, history, and experiences as a people. This comprehensive, multi-genre work is both a study of the Baganda people's oral literature, framed within the broader contexts of the African oral tradition genre, modern African literature, and global literary studies, and a collection of representative stories. Ample cultural explanations throughout the text explore the living culture of this unique East African nation. Particular attention is paid to the history of Uganda, which is recounted to place the oral tradition within its proper context. An appendix offers sample Luganda songs. ... Read more

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This book examines how Ugandan society, the law and women's violent crime interrelate. The author draws on her own research conducted with women prisoners and women living in polygamous families, to provide detailed individual accounts of violent crime committed by women. She considers these accounts in social context, exploring the circumstances in which women become involved in homicide and assault, and establishes what patterns and social relationships may predispose women to homicide, and violence in general. She further discusses women's crime in the context of debates on rationality and pathology, and gender assumptions about women and crime, arguing that theories of crime must take account of gender. In these aspects this book goes some way in redressing the tendency of criminologists and sociologists in the African context to regard crime as a male phenomenon and women as victims; and so neglect the study of the nature and causes of female criminality, and what it represents for African women's resistance to oppression. ... Read more

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The reintegration of thousands of formerly abducted children from the Lords Resistance Army back to their families and communities in northern Uganda represents tremendous challenges. Culture, Religion, and the Reintegration of Female Child Soldiers in Northern Uganda examines cultural and religious complexities that surround young females who are now returning to the society of northern Uganda, often accompanied by their own children. Understanding the religiously and ritually rich Acholi and North Ugandan context and culture is important for the success of the ongoing reintegration. This collection consists of contributions from diverse fields, such as anthropology, psychology, moral philosophy, religious studies, and theology. ... Read more

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The women's movements in Uganda flourished in the mid-eighties, influencing diverse spheres of life. They have since become exemplary in Africa, and have led many advances in women's rights. The contributors of this book look at the achievements of the movements from their roots in the post-independence period to the contemporary moment. Themes include: women's activism in colonial Uganda; contributions to girls' education; women's agency in business and the economy; women in agriculture, and the struggle for land; and women's role in conflict resolution, religious institutions, and the media, The book also contains sections on women's writing and publishing and the importance of creative work for wider female independence and self-determination, an overview of women's studies/research 1986- 2001, and brief biographies of Ugandan women leaders. ... Read more