HISTORY OF KASUBI TOMBS
Overview
The Kasubi Tombs are situated on Kasubi Hill, five kilometers from Kampala's downtown. It is the final resting place for four Kabakas (Kings) of Buganda. At the rear of the main shrine are the tombs of all the princes and princesses who are their direct descendants. There are 31 royal tombs located across the Buganda Kingdom, including the 13th-century Kasubi tombs. There are more smaller tombs in locations like as Kyaggwe, Singo, and Busiro. For both the Baganda people and Africa at large, the Kasubi tombs are a significant historical, cultural, and spiritual hub.
It is among Uganda's most important historical sites. Although the graves are still recognized as Buganda Kingdom property, Ugandan legislation designated them as a protected site in 1972 due to their cultural and national significance. One of the most popular destinations for safari travelers in Uganda is the Kasubi tombs, which were inducted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
The main tomb (Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga), the world's largest grass-thatched structure, is a fantastic example of native architecture. Bamboo, wood, and a grass-thatched roof make up the primary tomb structure. It was carefully constructed to stand out from other structures of a similar nature.
Before it was converted into a mausoleum upon Kabaka Mutesa 1's (35th King) death in 1884, the main grass thatched structure served as his palace. Instead of being interred in their own palace, as was customary, the three succeeding kings were buried in the Kasubi tombs. There are three major portions to the tombs. The first part consists of the western side of the main building, which houses the tombs of the four kings. There are a number of smaller structures and cemeteries in the second section behind the main edifice. There is open farmland in the third portion.
Visitors to the Kasubi tombs are greeted by a wooden gate (Bujjabukula) with braided reeds and a grass-thatched roof. The entrance and the Olugya (courtyard), which is near the Ndoga-Obuka (a circular house where traditional drums are stored), are guarded by traditional guards. The smaller homes constructed for the king's wives, other royal family members, the spiritual guardian (Nalinya), and her aides can be seen as one gets closer to the main courtyard. By the time this piece was written, Beatrice Namikka was the guardian; nevertheless, following the flames that destroyed the graves, she was recently sacked by the Kabaka.
There are multiple mats for guests to sit on and bark cloth adorning the walls of the main building/tomb. Visitors to the man building can also view the stuffed leopard skin and pictures of all the Kings. Mutesa 1 kept the leopard as a pet. Following Mutesa's passing, the leopard grew unruly and killed other people. In the end, it was murdered, and its skin was stuffed with substances to keep it alive. The roof's bands of spears, which symbolize the 52 Buganda clans, are among the other noteworthy features. At the tomb, each clan has a specific duty to perform. The graves' thatched roofs are kept in good condition by the Ngeye (Colobus Monkey) clan. A clan's elders teach their younger members how to take care of the graves when they get older.
Not everyone can reach all parts of the main tomb. The ghosts of the Kings are said to reside in the Kibira, or sacred grove, a hallowed section of the main building. Only the Katikkiro, widows of the kings, and some members of the royal family are permitted entry. Even the Kabaka in power is unable to go there. The four wives of the deceased monarchs are housed in four apartments constructed near the Kibira. Every Kabaka who dies has a wife who lives. They had to take care of the deceased king. The wives are selected from the deceased Queens' clans. Here is some planning advice for your trip to Uganda.
Baganda's history and the kings interred at the Kasubi Tombs
We must comprehend the history of the Baganda people and their kings in order to appreciate the cultural relevance of the Kasubi tombs. Prior to the arrival of foreign settlers, the Buganda Kingdom was one of the most powerful in Africa. The early 13th century was the beginning of the Kingdom's rich history and civilization. The Bantu group, which extended all the way up to Southern Africa, includes the Baganda. According to legend, Kintu was Buganda's first king. He had a bride named Nambi, who was given to him after he performed great acts that won over her father, the god of the sky, Ggulu. Kintu did not die but disappeared into the Magonga forest.
Following Kintu, Buganda was controlled by a number of kings. Regretfully, there is no information (dates) on their reign. Accurate dates were only documented under Kabaka Suuna II's rule (1836–1856). Throughout the Kingdom, the Buganda kings favored erecting their palaces atop the main hills. See the graves of Kasubi that allowed them to see their territory clearly, identify any threats, and put an end to any internal uprisings. It was customary to bury the King's body in one shrine and the Jawbone in another after they died. Their spirit is still thought to have been preserved in the jawbone.
Like the majority of African tribes, the Baganda have the belief that a person's spirit lives on after death. Through a spirit medium, the deceased Kabaka would speak to his heirs. Following burial, a successor is chosen as soon as the King or a member of his household passes away. To placate the spirit of the deceased king, a number of rites are carried out, such as animal sacrifice and gift-giving (including financial exchange).
The Kasubi tombs include the remains of four kings:
Mutesa 1 (1835-1884).
Born circa 1835, Muteesa 1 ascended to the throne in 1856. He was the first to be interred at the Kasubi tombs and the 35th Kabaka of Buganda. In the exact location of the Kasubi tombs, he constructed his palace. With more wives than any of his predecessors, Mutesa was a very strong monarch. He locked his brothers up in a big trench because he believed they posed a danger to his authority. In the trench, many of them perished, leaving him unopposed.
During Muteesa 1's reign, a significant influx of foreigners began to arrive in East Africa. He became the first king to be impacted by foreign cultures as a result. After seeing the Arabs who had traveled from the coast of East Africa in search of ivory and slaves, he converted to Islam. Europeans also piqued Mutesa 1's interest. He welcomed Henry Morton Stanley in 1875 and John Speke, the first white visitor to Buganda, in 1862. The race for Africa was gaining momentum at the time. Although he made sure they never challenged his authority, Mutesa One permitted his Muslim and Christian acquaintances to convert his royal entourage.
Mutesa 1 was interred at the Kasubi tombs after passing away in 1884. Mutesa instructed his subjects not to take his jaw bone for a separate burial before he passed away. He was the first king to break with an old custom in this way.
Basamula Mwanga II (1867–1903):
Mwanga, Mutesa's son, succeeded him in 1884. The last king to govern a fully autonomous Buganda was him. When foreign influence grew quickly, Mwanga became Kabaka. In 1886, he slaughtered a large number of Muslims and Christians who had converted under his father's rule because he believed that Christianity and other foreign religions were a threat to his authority. The Ugandan Kasubi tombs, Christian and Muslim leaders were alarmed by these widespread murders of the Uganda Martyrs and banded together to overthrow him. After being thrown into exile, Mwanga teamed up with Kabalega, the King of Bunyoro, to fight the British colonialists and regain his throne. His efforts proved fruitless, and they were vanquished and banished to the island of Seychelles. In 1903, Mwanga passed away on the island. By that time, he had adopted the Christian name Daniel. In 1910, his remains were returned and interred at the Kasubi tombs. Once more defying long-standing customs, his burial at the tombs transformed the location into a significant resting place for monarchs to come.
Kabaka Daudi Chwa II (1896-1939):
In 1897, Mwanga's one-year-old son Daudi Chwa succeeded him. Christian regents provided Chwa with assistance until he turned eighteen. He was not as strong as the previous kings, and his reign was quiet. Daudi Chwa's burial at the Kasubi tombs after his death in 1939 enhanced the tombs' standing and significance on a cultural and spiritual level.
Fredrick Walugembe Muteesa 11 (1924- 1969)
Walugembe, Fredrick Between 1924 and 1969, Muteesa II: His son, Mutesa II, succeeded Daudi Chwa after his death. A dispute arose between Sir Andrew Cohen and the King on changes to the 1900 Buganda Agreement. The Kasubi tombs' reconstruction, following this argument with the colonial government agent, the King was banished to England. Following his return from exile in 1955, the king was sworn in as Uganda's constitutional president on the country's Independence Day. Mutesa's relationship with Prime Minister Milton Obote, who was more powerful, became strained. In 1966, Milton Obote ordered government forces under Idi Amin to attack his palace. After his escape, the King went into exile in England, where he remained until his death in London in 1969. His remains were returned and interred at the Kasubi tombs in 1971.
Exploring the Tombs of Kasubi
One of Kampala's most popular tourist destinations is the Kasubi tombs. If there is no traffic, it takes roughly fifteen minutes to get from Kampala's downtown to the Kasubi Tombs location. Pass through the main gate of Makerere University and then turn along the Nakulabye road to arrive at the tombs. Join the Hoima Road after the Nakulabye roundabout and continue driving for approximately one kilometer. Make a left turn and ascend Kasubi Hill. The gate or entrance to the graves can be seen after you reach the very top of the hill and turn onto Masiro Road. Visitors are given a ticket after completing their information and being inspected by the royal guides.
The cost of admission to the Kasubi royal tombs is approximately $5,000, or 10,000 Ugandan shillings. The money is used to pay the site staff and to maintain the tombs. After paying the entrance charge, you are also given a guide to help you navigate the area.
Information about the tombs in Kasubi
The sole UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kampala is the Kasubi tomb.
Aside from the funeral rites for family members who are royalty, there are a number of customary rituals performed throughout the year. The ceremony to welcome the new moon is one of them. Certain more spiritual rituals, such as medium consultations, are carried out in secret, away from guests. Traditional medicine women and men from all over Buganda visit the shrine to receive blessings for their work from the ghost of the king. Unless he is traveling abroad and need the blessings of his deceased ancestors, the current Kabaka of Buganda seldom pays a visit to the tombs.
In 1938, Kabaka Mutesa II made renovations to the tombs, incorporating some contemporary elements such as brick, concrete, and steel, while maintaining the dominance of traditional materials.
For those interested in the Ngo clan's traditional bark fabric and the Ngeye clan's grass thatching techniques, the Kasubi tombs are the ideal destination.
The recent fires at the Kasubi tomb, conservation issues, and difficulty
As was previously said, there is a lack of funding for the Kasubi tomb; however, this may be entirely due to the manner it is run. The goal of the Buganda Kingdom is to maintain total authority over the graves and the contents of them. There is internal strife regarding who should be in charge of the graves within Buganda. While the more modern royals want things done differently, the traditionalists want the old customs to remain in place. Accountability and careful oversight of administrative operations are necessary if the government and NGOs are to increase funding for the site.
Maintaining the Kasubi tombs' condition calls for careful maintenance, constant grass replacement, and observation. Fortunately, the grass and talented local craftspeople are still around. However, substantial financial resources are needed to replace the grass, pay the artisans, and support the other staff members at the tomb.
The tombs' materials were always susceptible to significant fires. Since authoring this article, we have learned that the main tomb and the smaller huts surrounding it were destroyed by a destructive fire that devoured the tombs in March 2010. The principal tombs' symbolic media, including the royal regalia, were destroyed. However, other buildings were left intact, such as the one that housed the royal drums. The fires' cause is still a mystery. Although the Commission that was established to look into the cause of the fires completed its job, the public has never been permitted to access the report. Many people are already guessing and blaming others for this. Some believe it was arson, while others believe it was a lightning strike or someone's sheer carelessness. The Kasubi tombs were listed as World Heritage Sites in Danger in 2010 as a result of this regrettable incident.
The Ugandan government has made a substantial investment of more than 2 billion Uganda shillings, but the reconstruction of the tombs has proceeded slowly. The numerous rites and rituals that must be observed are the reason for the sluggish pace. In 2014, the Japanese government allocated additional funds to repair the tombs while guaranteeing the implementation of contemporary safety measures. To guarantee that the tombs are restored, the Japanese have dispatched a group of specialists in cultural property restoration to collaborate closely with the locals.