LADY J. Lyrics

LADY J. brings a soulful flavour to Lugbara Music with her songs. In "Dramaza"), she sings in Lugbara and Swahili about living freely and enjoying the good things in your life namely Music, Dance, Drums, Adungu and Beer. So when you see her dancing, don't look at her in a bad light! Everything on earth ends here, then we meet our FATHER, HIS Name be praised!

[INTRO]
Oooh yeh, (We are the Queen fi di dancehall)
Ma adri pi, ma anvu pi, mi iri nga ma. (Pan de West Nile …)
E’yo nyaku driari ni asi ‘dia
Bule-a dale, ayiko tua yo
Ani, ani.

[CHORUS]
Aka ma ongo ngo, angoki
Aka ma ongo tu, atuki
Aka ma ari co, acoki
Aka ma adungu tu, atuki
(Aka ma ewa nvu, anvuki, anvuki, anvuki X2)

[VERSE ONE]
Nyaku mini neri iri ambo, Stani tua yo.
E’yoki vini drini-a tre ambamba
Azoki 'dia 'di 'ba-i odra.
Dra nini ode ku, dra nini amba ku.
Eri ama 'du tia.
A'di iji dra ni? Ilu anga mani!
'Ba kata atri atri, mata atri ra.
Saa erini ‘ba duzuri, ‘ba nini ku.
Vini mini isu’bori, ma adri, inya nya.
'Bule-a ‘dale ayiko tua yo, akaki mu Ata vu, Ru ni ovu inziza ru
Disco yo, ewa yo, (ani X4)

[CHORUS]

[VERSE TWO]
Dra ma azo ambamba, 'ba ‘di Lugbara la.
Eri mi ‘du o'duasi kile orobile
Ka vini mi 'du ‘bo, mi ida dri ku
Imvu imi awuzi be imi-i ku
Edri ma spare yo Lugbara la.
Katra adrici cika amajeje
A'dusikuni o'du ama ‘ba-i woro
Ani, aka ma ayiko zu, ineki ma onzi ku!
Aka ma ongo tu, ma tu ani.
Koboko, Yumbe azi imi ci!
Moyo, Adjumani, aku mi ku!
(Atu ki X6)
AudioWave!

[CHORUS]

[VERSE THREE]
Zamva akuari efi ra, munipe ma Club!
Nataka nyinyi yote kwa dancing floor.
Lewo ni siku yakukatika na muziki.
Akuna usingize, ama hakuna mapigano.
Ma ongo ngo emini ayiko fezu.
Ma fans, ma friends, ma muke too.
Izu ayiko mi asi-a ri, denga podi idranga kuru.
Inya mini nyari, dika iku mini kuri.
Drama saa yo, dra ma o’du yo.
Ika dra 'bule-a le, nyaku ni mi ka.
Ani aka ma ayiko zu, ineki ma onzi ku.
Wanyedemu zawo, muwashike kwa kikono!
Oki kose demu,
Oni pigiye telefoni (paka last X3)

[CHORUS and END]

"Amazu Ayiko" by LADY J. is a feel good song calling on all Lugbara to have fun instead of letting the sorrow in the world to fill their hearts.

[INTRO]
Maracha Yivu anzi emi ngoa, eh?
Ayivu, Terego. Zamva emi vu akuari ifi ra, eh!
O'du andruri 'bani ayiko zuzu ri.
Le ama zu ayiko!

[CHORUS]
Le amazu ayiko, ma adripi, ma amvupi, amazu ayiko
Le amazu ayiko, ma atipi, ma andripi, amazu ayiko
Le amazu ayiko, ma edapi, ma a'bipi, amazu ayiko
Le amazu ayiko, ma agoyi, ma awupi, amazu ayiko!

[VERSE ONE]
Chandi nyaku driari, 'ba ma 'ba asi-a ku, amazu ayiko
Egata tata ri, 'ba ma ega eri ku, amazu ayiko
Silimu tata 'di, 'ba ma asi ma mbamba, amazu ayiko
E'yo nyaku dri-a 'do ki, ewaru, amazu ayiko
Le mi ma ne mi agi ni mile onzi si ku, amazu ayiko
Le ama ngu ama sende ma e'yo si ku, amazu ayiko!

[CHORUS]

[VERSE TWO]
Arua la, amazu ayiko
Koboko la, amazu ayiko
Yumbe la, amazu ayiko
Moyo la, amazu ayiko
'Ba 'di Lugbara la(u), ama iciti ci, amazu ayiko
'Ba 'di Lugbara la(u), ama woro alu, amazu ayiko
'Ba 'di Ayivu la(u), ama nguru ku, amazu ayiko
'Ba 'di Aringa la(u), ama coru ku, amazu ayiko
'Ba 'di Terego la(u), ama awaru ku, amazu ayiko
'Ba 'di Maracha la(u), amazu ayiko, amazu ayiko!

[CHORUS]

[Repeat VERSE ONE]

[CHORUS]
[END]

"Agasi" by JACKIE CHANDIRU (Lyrics)

[INSTRUMENTAL:]

[CHANDIRU WHISPERS:]
Agasi, aga'bo, agasi!
Agasi, aga'bo!

[VERSE ONE:]
Ini ce ra, ale mi ra! Ico aco ku, aha!
Mi imu mavu, ife me i’da mini onyi, kiri kiri!
Ale eri saru, eri fe ma asi ni su, ‘ba ‘di, maye ‘do
Ale eri saru, eri fe ma asi ni su, ‘ba ‘di, maye ‘do
Ma ‘ye ngoni ya?

[CHORUS:]
Like a dream in my sleep, and
I know that you wanna be free
Mi imu mavu!
All I know in my heart is,
I just won’t say “Goodbye!”
Agasi. Aga'bo!
Oh oh, wowo! X3 Oh! (Aga'bo!) X2

[VERSE TWO:]
I’bi ma dri! Ma mi agi,
Itu ongo ma’be (ma’be)!
A’dule ife me i’da mini ayiko idri ni, baby!
A(du)sikunisi, ale mi-i saru!
Mi fe ma asi ni su, ‘ba ‘di, ma’ye ‘do!
Ale mi-i saru, mi fe ma dri ni ga, ‘ba ‘di, ma’ye ‘do!
Ma asi ni su.

[CHORUS:]

[HOOK:]
Mi mani, mani a’dule. Inini ku, baby!
‘Ba ngoki ongo leta dri-i, mi imu mapye, baby!
A(du)sikunisi, ale mi-i saru!
Mi fe ma asi ni su, ‘ba ‘di, maye ‘do!
Ale mi-i saru! Mi fe ma asi ni su, ‘ba ‘di, maye ‘do!
Maye, yeee, eh hey!
[CHORUS:]

[SPEAKING:]
Mi imu mavu!
All I know is, I just won’t say goodbye, Yeh, agasi. Oh, oh, oh!
No goodbye, eh!
No goodbye! (Agasi) No goodbye!
No goodbye! (Aga'bo) No goodbye!
I won't say 'Goodbye!' (Agasi) Oh oh!
Agasi, aga'bo! Oh, aha!
Huh X7
No goodbye!
[END]

When Jackie decided to do a song in Lugbara, a producer warned her that her idea was career suicide. However, today this song is so thrilling that people who don’t even understand her language sing along because of the catchy lyrics. Others gyrate to the melodic tunes. It plays on the world-class MTV Base plus regional EATV, Channel O en other broadcast stations. The video is shot in a predominantly black and brown colour mix and features JC plus two men dancing in a forest at night.
The song is basically about a girl's confessions to her lover who wants to quit their relationship. "Agasi" translated from Lugbara means "I have refused" (to say 'Goodbye!' to this relationship).
The first verse says: "You know I love you, don't fight! Come to me, let me show you good! I love him so much, he makes my heart pain. What will I do?"
The second verse says: "Hold my hand! I'm your friend. Dance with me! Alone, let me show you the joy of life! Because, I love you so much! You make my heart pain."
The hook says: "You are mine, mine alone. You don't know, baby. People have sung love songs. Come with me, baby! Because I love you so much! You make my heart pain."
Wow, now that's romantic! This song deserves an award!

Other Jackie songs with Lugbara lines include "Iringwa?" (Where is he?) about searching for your soulmate; "Were Were" (Kidogo Kidogo/ Small Small) ft. DYAN; "(Another Hannz Production) More Fire" ft. VARIOUS ARTISTS; "For All Time" ft. SAMMY (from Eritrea); "Gold Digger"; "Shamim"; "Don't Break My Heart (Remix)" ft. COCO FINGER; "Champion" en so forth...

Lugbara Alphabet and Vocabulary

Everybody knows that the English Alphabet has 26 letters. However, not many know that the Lugbara Alphabet has 28 letters (like Arabic) but minus Q and X. That’s quite interesting because it means that there are 24 letters exactly like those in English plus four more authentic letters (each with an apostrophe before it) namely: ‘B [like in Odu‘bua], ‘D [like in awa’difo], ‘W, and ‘Y [like in e’yo]. Nevertheless, some people ignore the apostrophe. Sometimes Z is pronounced as J for example in the name "Inzikuru"

What I find complex but very amazing about the Lugbara Vocabulary is that it has few words some of which mean different things depending on the pronunciation tones during speech. One word spelt the same can be used in three or more very different contexts, for instance the word Ezo for Warthog (Wild Pig) also means Girlfriend or fiancee. The word Ti means Cow but can also mean more than seven other things including Mouth, Language, Month, plus verbs like Harvest, Strangle, Sign, Produce (Give Birth), Drop (Ointment) or Sound dropping liquid, Thatch (a hut), etc or an adjective like "in vain". While reading silently as a beginner, you might find problems understanding a word in context but when spoken out in the right tone by someone, the word meaning is expressed. It’s always good to grasp the Vocabulary.

Lugbara Artefacts (Courtesy of Uganda Museum)

While rumours circulated in 2010-2011 that the Uganda Museum was going to be demolished, I was amazed by why the facts had been distorted. The Trade and Tourism Minister (before he became Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs), Major General Kahinda Otafiire, actually revealed, “No one, not even me, has said the building is going to be demolished. Instead of demolishing it, it will be preserved but within the new structure.” Having the tallest building in Africa would be amazing indeed, besides Uganda also has the Biggest Baha’i Temple in the whole of the Black Continent.

As a Museum goer myself, I believe the Heritage preserved here is interesting and very valuable for all Ugandans plus foreign tourists. Demolishing this effigy of Ugandan Architecture would be a Tragedy. I spent A Day at the Museum in 2009 to fish out the Best I could about my Culture and here is what I found. Luckily, the scary exhibits like the Leopard and Prophetess Nakayima didn't come to life.



The Lugbara End Blow Trumpet called LURU is made from a bottle shaped gourd.

The Side-Blown Trumpet MARE is made from a gourd and a wooden tube. It is blown through the hole in the gourd with the wooden tube pointing downward or under the left arm. Bee Wax is smeared inside the gourd which is wetted before it’s played only at death dances in union with the drum called NAITO.



The GUKE Trumpet is used by men and boys in most of their dance.



Both men and women smoked Water Pipes. Tobacco was ground to make Snuff. Special pipes were used for Hemp consisting of a bowl below a tray of hot embers. The smoke was drawn through a water filled container.

JUSTICE: Discovery of Crime
Misfortunes could arise from offending ancestor spirits. Both Lugbara and Madi used divining pots to assess the guilt of the accused. The small Lugbara pots represent possible suspects. They were heated and filled with medicated water. If the water boiled over, the suspect’s innocence was established. An accused was required to pass a similar test by the Madi. A pot was set on the ground and water poured in. If it did not flow out of the hole in the bottom, the accused was considered guilty.



The Lugbara Sun-Cover extends over the whole of the child’s body.

Origin of LUGBARA

[Now the whole earth had one language and few words. And as men migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly."

And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."

And GOD came down to see the city and the tower, which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, "Behold they are one people, and they all have one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." So GOD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel (Hebrew word 'balal' means 'confuse', where mighty Nimrod's Kingdom began), because GOD confused the language of all the earth, and from there GOD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.]


Some spoke Arabic, others Aramaic, Italian, Chinese, Zulu, Spanish, Yoruba, German, Cheyenne, Hindi, Russian, Persian or Lugbara. The latter finally settled in Lado Enclave, ask Prophet Moses (Nabi Musa) when he comes back with Elijah. He might have just left out the details in Genesis 11: 1 - 9 (Tawrat/ Torah or Pentateuch) because the list must be too long and confusing. Sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction.

7 Wonders of Great West Nile District

Try and create your own List of the seven Wonders of West Nile, you will realise that everyone has his own thrills. There might be an ultimate Selection but that is only if the Points of Interest are aggregated through public voting.

Autobiography of the Author of the Book entitled "Sultan Isara"

"I was born 36 years ago in Ewava, a small village in Arua District of Uganda. According to Mama Evelyn Ocokoru, d/o Sultan Isara, the great Vurra Chief, I was born on Wednesday 6th July 1975 attended to by a traditional birth attendant. Sultan Isara died on 26th July 1949. Evelyn’s mother who died on 12th October 1995 was called Alia d/o Mukungu Aroa of Pajulu. My father Michael Omvitibo (R.I.P.) was born to Yakobo Oyi (R.I.P.) from Luu clan of Lugbara in the year 1940.Yakobo Oyi s/o Aziku died on 16th June 1985 while Michael Omviti’bo died on 5th January 2009. He was the only son of Rachael A’dakuru d/o Ajuanya of Anjuu from Bunakua’s family. A’dakuru was distinguished by clean feet and large ears, the features inherited by me. She gave me this name to mourn her sons she lost prematurely. Rakiel A’dakuru died on 27th January 1988.

I first met with formal education in Zaire (currently DRC) while in exile (1981/82 at Ecol Primary Official de Oce), then joined Eruba Primary School in 1983 for Class One during Obote II regime. I was the school Time Keeper for three years (1986-88). I excelled in PLE in Ewava Primary School in the year 1989, the year Arua experienced fatal famine, with aggregate 7 and distinction 1 in Science (92%) emerging the Best Candidate of Science in Vurra County. I was awarded two books (Hard Times by Charles Dickens and Complete Certificate Chemistry) as a prize by Dr. Eric Adriko who was then Member of Parliament for Vurra Constituency. This took place during Vurra Education Week 1990. I served as the secretary for English Club while in Ewava.

With this result I secured a place in St Joseph’s College Ombaci in Arua District for S1. For the next six years I was in Ombaci for both O and A‘Level studies. I was entrusted with the Chairmanship of Uganda Students’ Scripture Union Fellowship - Ombaci Branch in 1994/5 and elected the treasurer, Uganda Youth Redcross/ Crescent Ombaci Branch the same years. I attribute my success first to Almighty GOD, and then to both my parents and siblings, and Mr. Michael Knights a British Pharmacist and a Missionary who sponsored me at various levels of my Education. I was born fourth in a family of six children in this order: Anna Onzia, Alex Onzoma, James Candisi, Ruth Draru and lastly Janet Inzikuru. I further sat a supplementary A’Level Art Exam in 2003 at Kasese High School while working. With this and the Mature Entry of Makerere University, I was able to secure admission for Bachelor of Laws of Makerere University where I did one year 2005/6 at my personal expense, and Cisco Networking Course 2008 at the same University, the course which was sponsored by Elizabeth Cakuru. My character is sometimes simple, softspoken but reserved. Of course my principal is ever to succeed at all cost in a smart way and motto: “Achieve with Discretion”.

Due to circumstances beyond my dreams, I was recruited into Uganda Police Force in the year 1998 instead of joining the University to study my dream course (Medicine). So far, I have served in Kasese District Police Station and currently at Entebbe International Airport. Apart from employment, I do my small business at my cherished Computer Centre (Michael Knights Computer Net Services) in Kitooro, Entebbe. Isara Memorial Cultural and Community Library is my Brainchild Project to unite the sons and daughters of Isara and the descendants. I hope to initiate so many projects and programmes to benefit the community of Vurrra and the Lugbara People. It was also a big challenge for me to write the Biography of my grandfather Sultan Isara in 2008.

My hobbies are basically two. I like and enjoy adventures. The first time I traveled by plane is the most memorable in my life. On 10th May 2008, I left for United Arab Emirates and landed at Dubai International Airport about half past midnight aboard Emirates Air upon the invitation of Ms Elizabeth Cakuru, daughter of Mzee David Aiku who paid for all the travel expenses. I was charged with the responsibility of escorting Mzee David Aiku. He is one of the great elders of Vurra Ezuku, Isara’s clan, to attend his granddaughter’s wedding in London, but I was denied a Visa by the British High Commission, therefore, I escorted him half way up to Dubai. I later lodged in Piccadilly Hotel in Deira, Dubai for close to one week before my premature return to Uganda. On arrival, in the first 15 minutes, I bought a book (Leadership by Emotional Intelligence). Book reading is my hobby and that is why I have the desire of setting up many libraries to encourage reading culture. I am also a football fan and my cherished English team is Manchester United. I admire the biographies of great leaders like Koffi Annan a true African elite, Mahatma Gandhi father of India, Nelson Mandela -African freedom fighter, Mao Ze Tong of China, Giuliani the former mayor of New York, Dr. Erik Adriko and Sultan Isara, my grandfather.

I am proud and thank GOD for a family. My dear wife Jennifer Bua and three children (Josephat Drileba, Hoglund Ester Ceniru and Penelope Evelyn Asi’bazu)."

- CHARLES KIRI KIRI BUA

Aje [The Marriage Price]

After negotiations between both families about the amount of Bridewealth to be given whether in form of cash, cattle or other items, a day is set for the Introduction...

Lugbara Thunderbolt (Ovi)

According to some elders in Maracha, there is NO LOVE during Christmas nowadays. In the past, neighbours from the homestead would gather, sing Christmas songs and share gifts plus food together but today people think they know better. It's a new generation so technology takes centre stage. Kids would rather listen to new hits on radio or watch TV than sing outdated songs till they lose their voices by Boxing Day. People go to church but they do not place proper meaning to the season. You find kids walking around on the church verandahs. After the service, the youth go for walks. In the past, everything would be ready by Christmas Eve: the water and eats.

Also in the past, on Christmas Eve, youth would gang up, travel to the Chief's home or County Office and sing Christmas plus church songs. If their hosts felt moved, they would offer the singers some money. They would do this through the night. Some would make their Christmas preparations from early morning after the carols. On Christmas Days after 2004, a certain staunch Catholic mother would tell her son to get three extra plates in case unexpected visitors came by (You know, like the Three Wise Men. It actually happened during his 2009 Birthday). During some of those Christmas seasons, they would listen to the fluent Lugbara-speaking Italian Father Tonino Passolini (of the Catholic Parish in Adalafu, Arua) preaching on Radio Pacis after their mass.

We all need a saviour because we are born in the flesh. No one can claim to be sinless. GOD forgive me if am wrong but sometimes I find it hard to believe the Virgin Mary was completely spotless. Okay, maybe Adam's mark was removed from her by grace. As for Jesus, I do believe he was spotless and controlled himself perfectly. His heavenly father doesn't even have a Breath of Evil in HIM. Galatians 5 wonderfully summarises what every soul on earth goes through whether Muslim, Pentecostal, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, New Age, Pagan or Catholic. Jesus was a prophet who was born during Christmas to lead us to Heaven and no religion can claim him alone. We Lugbara call him "YESU KRISTO". May the Joy and Light during this Christmas and all those that follow reveal his everlasting Glory to you!

Lugbara Kari (The House of Lugbara)

There is a long awaited move towards forming an official administrative body of Lugbara. John Godo, a grey haired UPC (Uganda People's Congress) Party champion or stalwart in the Arua, West Nile Region (He is also a Member of the Ayivu County Elders's SACCO) and his associates are drafting a Constitution - Set of Rules (Lugbara Kari) for the said structure, the Household of Lugbara. It is not yet adopted by all the Lugbara on the entire Third Planet but many look forward to spreading it everywhere. Membership is simply by belonging to the about 13 Clans of Lugbara: Seven in Uganda (Aringa, Ayivu, Madi, Vurra, Terego, Maracha and Koboko also included because the schools there teach pupils in Lugbara) plus Six Bayia (Outside West Nile) Clans according to original counties known as "Collective" in the Eturi Province of Democratic Republic of Congo [I'm sorry I forgot to record the names but one interesting one is the Itso pronounced as "icho" meaning "able" in Lugbara. Nevertheless, some ethnologue reports list dialects such as Zaki, Abedju-Azaki, Lu, Aluru, Nio and Otsho with 840,000 speakers in DRC (Johnstone 2001). The last two are very similar to Ugandan Lugbara. Yes We Can form this Cultural Institution. There are also Three tribes in Sudan who speak a Lugbara-like language and may be included. Godo once asked, "Why don't we study Lugbara up to University and even get degrees in it?" With this institution in place, work can be done to bring that dream to life].

In Uganda, the Baganda have a Kabaka, the Banyoro have an Omukama, the Basoga have a Kyabazinga, Itesots have an Emorimor, and Batoro have an Omugabe but the Lugbara have NO KING. There are chiefs and sultans in different counties but there is no one with kingly authority. You wonder how they can be united, reminds me of lines in the Bible about Ants and other insects that have no leader but know when to do things and in impeccable order. Nevertheless, the Lugbara have someone called the AGOFE who is charged with the duty of preserving the culture through writing plus other assignments. He is elected to a five year reign that can be added with one more term, though according to the unpublished constitution, he can also be replaced in his term basing on certain failings. The current Lugbara Agofe is Jason Avutia whom many know as the Chairman of LULA - Lugbara Literature Association. Qualifications for an Agofe (Article 8: 2: 1) include: (a) A person with minimum age of 55 Years; (b) A person of high oral character and proven integrity; (c) A person knowledgeable in public affairs and with interest in cultural and developmental issues in general; (d) A person with a deep interest in the history and culture of the Lugbara; plus (e) A person with a minimum education of advanced certificate level or its equivalent.

Some of the Objectives for forming the Lugbara Cultural Institution include: 1.To forster, enhance and preserve the cooperation, unity, trust and understanding, dedication to work and mutual respect among Lugbara; 2. To promote cultural heritage of Lugbara and Lugbara ti; 3. To preserve, regulate the culture of traditional dances; 4. To encourage collection and preservation of ancient artefacts, social life as well as other traditional things; 5. To encourage research; 6. To promote cultural linkages; 7. To improve agricultural practices; 8. To promote industrial cooperation and land conservation; 9. To award and honour Lugbara who have excelled in various fields; 10. To set up a Fund for promoting culture; 11. To cooperate with government institutions in achieving the above objectives (The Arua District Local Government following its own community-oriented objectives has actually accepted to support the Lugbara initiative).

PREAMBLE:
WHEREAS the Children of Lugbara wherever they may be located in Uganda, Congo and the Diaspora are desirous of constituting themselves into an institution that will preserve, promote and enhance their culture as well as their material, economic heritage so that they can consolidate African nationhood in a rapidly globalising world.
WHEREAS such cultural institution will enable the Lugbara to unite and live harmoniously with their neighbours and contibute to their role as active citizens of Uganda in a federated East Africa in the context of the African wide political union of African people.
WHEREAS all the Lugbara are united in their joint vision of promoting their oneness (Unity) and well being for the glory of their motherland and that of their ancestors, the living and the unborn.
WHEREAS the representatives of the Clans of Lugbara have met and resolved that such an organisation be established...

(This data is courtesy of John Godo)

Charles Bua from Vurra (Arua) comments that, "It is a matter of controversy among our people. Arua people want cultural leadership but elite class is worried of its influence. It is definitely going to unite the common people but alienate the self styled politicians who have become cultural leaders without interest, no responsibilty, no knowledge and those and many others do not believe that the spirit of a nation is the common and neglected community. There is hope. First, we need several dialogues and writing of our history. Then constitution be drafted by all the representatives of clans."


AJUA - Tara Origins

Some call this place "Tara-dise" because it rocks their world. You may marvel at heavenly views of breathtaking rock formations and mountains namely Liru plus Wati (in Terego) like when Clouds hug their tops or at Sunset - GOD surely painted better than Michaelangelo and Pablo Picasso combined; the plush-green vegetation is refreshing; the well arranged Maize, Cassava, Groundnut, Soya and Tobacco (Assets) Gardens plus simple rural lifestyle seem unmoved by urban chaos. Tara is found on the Northern Border of Maracha, about an hour away from Koboko Town and DR Congo.

A man called Ajua is the great-grandfather of Tara Parishes. Ajua (Abi pi ama tipi Tara'a woro) wanted to see where Ono (River Enyau or Anyau) ends. So he moved with his cows and found people dancing at a dog funeral in Onduparaka (North of Arua Town). He joined in the dance and was given a wife. She gave birth to Opodria who later birthed Naye, the father of the Seven True Parishes of Tara. Ajua left Onduparaka on his quest and went to Ovisoni (West of Arua Town). There he also found people dancing and was allowed to join them. He was given another wife. Some say he paid bride price. The woman gave birth to Otu (Lugbara for 'Umbilical Cord'), the father of Vurra, after whom a County was named in Western Arua District. Otu is the step-brother of Opodria, the grandfather of the other Vur(r)a, a Parish in Tara Sub-County which encompasses the villages from East/West Kololo, Pajuru to Odupiri. Vur(r)a's six brothers after whom Parishes are named in Tara Sub-County (Part of Lower Maracha created from Yivu Sub-County which used to be in the Maracha County of Arua District) include Ojapi (Angusara is the fore-father of Baria Village), Ajulepi, Yidu (Pajama Area), Oliapi (Oliyepi), Aruwe and Rendu. [Oral Tradition Courtesy of Kefa Bayoa Dobo]

When adventurers visit Tara, they write their names on the rocks and take small ones as souvenirs plus for research purposes. For instance, if you stand at the soccer field of Ojapi Primary School, the ranges anticlockwise from Mt. Liru include Kodro, Gala, Kadri, Adrofiya and Njeke (or Njakai). On the South Side of Ojapi as you move from Oliapi Primary School to Orani (which also has a rock named after the place), you will see Adada (which reminds one of big road construction trucks) and Luturujo (which translates to "The House of/ on a Hill). In the evening, after an honest day's work, men sit on the ground or the innumerable rocks, in circles (of four to five), around a calabash of Kwete or bottle of Umkhomboti and drink while chatting about politics and life in general. On market days like at Mabira, Ajira, Gili Gili and Odupiri, women sell foodstuffs as the sun sets. The Grasshopper is the Staple Food and Emblem of Maracha, a Lugbara Clan. Also famous for the Mairunji trade, it is as though Maracha was built on ROCKS. Other Sub-Counties in Maracha include Omugo, Aiivu, Uriama, Nyadri, Yivu (which used to encompass the whole of Tara) and Oleba.

(Book Review): Sultan Isara

Born in 1886 (the same year Arsenal FC, my favourite club, was formed), he was the first contact with the British colonial administration in Vurra, Western Arua. Savour the story of a kind, peaceful African farmer and celebrated artist who performed in traditional dances, songs and telling myth stories plus was appointed the cultural leader of Vurra people in 1919 before turning Sultan in Lugbaraland. This biography, published in 2008, is fantastically woven by Charles Kiri Kiri Bua [Mobile (0712)678214 or Box 737 Arua] and authorised by the Isara Memorial Cultural and Community Library (IMCCL) Board of Trustees. It respectfully and comprehensively connects the past to the present documenting very interesting Lugbara history and other research ideas worth 10,000 UgX (about 5 US Dollars) a copy. Contents in this compelling book include Isara’s Story; The Myth Story; Who are Lugbara?; The Origins of Lugbara; The Main Migration Groups; How Isara became Sultan; Vurra is a Ma’di term; Clans in Vurra; What made Isara successful; What Others say; Isara’s own Words; and The Last Days. Dr. Eric Adriko, one of the people acknowledged by the author for encouraging him to record the past and preserve Lugbara identity, once revealed how while in Kenya he heard that Hon. Rajab, one of the members of the Kenyan Parliament in the 1980s (representing Kibera Constituency) was said to be Isara’s descendant and there were many Vurra people living there. Some historians say the Lugbara originated from Sudan but it is more believable that they came from West Africa (Cameroon Mountains) basing on the similarity of African names shared today (despite differing translations) such as President Abubakar Atiku of Nigeria; Bayo of the Big Brother 3 House; Didier Drogba - Chelsea FC striker. Personally, I have also made a few interesting observations for instance President Omar Bongo of Gabon; Dramani - Ghana National Soccer team striker; Drabo, Atiku and many others. Bua writes in his introduction that, "The book is a collection of consecutive interviews, commentaries by elders, sons and daughters, friends, relatives, politicians, workmates of Isara and research on Lugbara of Uganda and their culture by various scholars. The relationship between Opi Isara and the Lugbara culture is very important. He led people in the house of chiefs not only in Vurra but also in the counties of Ayivu, Terego who had houses of chiefs (In short, he was a Sultan). To others he was a building block between different groups of people. He married at least nine women from various clans and left over 60 children who form part of the Arua District population. Isara’s creative lifestyle had transformed Vurra from traditional leadership to modern British politics. Now that Isara’s descendants under Isara Memorial Cultural and Community Library have formed an association, what Opi Isara failed to achieve will be accomplished. The Lugbara cultural values will be analysed, some preserved and promoted especially the Language, Literature, Art and Craft, Entertainment and its history. The demise of Isara on 26th July, 1949 marked the end of an era in the history of Lugbara." The Isara Memorial Cultural and Community Library was opened in Ezuku, Vurra 60 years after his death and copies of this book can be purchased there.