| |
Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi
The Kasubi Tombs are on Kasubi Hill, a royal palace enclosure
first built in 1881. This is where you'll find the huge traditional
reed and bark-cloth buildings of the kabakas (kings) of the
Baganda people. The Kasubi Tombs also known as the Ssekabaka's
Tombs, these are the royal tombs where four former Kabakas(kings)
of Buganda are buried.They are situated five kilometres away
from the city centre on Kasubi Hill, on the Kampala/Hoima Road
just off Masindi Road. |
|
|
| |
(1)
The Kasubi Tombs site is a masterpiece of human creativity both
in its conception and its execution.
(2) The Kasubi Tombs site bears eloquent witness to the living
cultural traditions of the Baganda.
(3) The spatial organization of the Kasubi Tombs site represents
the best extant example of a Baganda palace/architectural ensemble.
Built in the finest traditions of Ganda architecture and palace
design, it reflects technical achievements developed over many
centuries.
(4) The built and natural elements of the Kasubi Tombs site
are charged with historical, traditional, and spiritual values.
It is a major spiritual centre for the Baganda and is the most
active religious place in the kingdom.
Brief description
The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi constitute a site embracing
almost 30 ha of hillside within Kampala district. Most of the
site is agricultural, farmed by traditional methods. At its
core on the hilltop is the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda,
built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in
1884. Four royal tombs now lie within the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga,
the main building, which is circular and surmounted by a dome.
It is a major example of an architectural achievement in organic
materials, principally wood, thatch, reed, wattle and daub.
The site's main significance lies, however, in its intangible
values of belief, spirituality, continuity and identity.
The tombs of the last four Kabakas (kings) of Buganda are definitely
a must if you are in Kampala. One large building - with a traditional
thatch roof - houses all four kings, and a guide will lead you
around the area and into the building to explain to you the
history of the Baganda - the largest ethnic group in Uganda
- and the cultural traditions associated with the tombs. There
is also a shop outside the tombs selling gift items.
You enter through a small strow gate which is being guarded
by men dressed in yellow garments, who are ancestors of the
original guards - they have to stay at their side of the gate
where they also live (in little "strow holes"), and
can't cross to the other side which belongs to a different family.
When you have passed the gate you have to pay a small entry
fee and maybe get a guide who tells you about the history. The
actual site is a traditional circular house (see picture). There
are a bunch of smaller circular houses built around it which
belong to the Kabaka's widdows (or their daughter or grand daughter...)
who still have the honor to care for this site... |
| |
<<Click
here to back>> |
| |
|
|
|
