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|
 | |
 Lango sub-region | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2,131,495[1][2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Uganda | |
| Languages | |
| Lango dialect, English | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| OtherNilotic peoples especiallyLuo peoples[1] |
TheLango are aNilotic ethnic group.[1] They live in north-centralUganda, in a region that covers the area formerly known as theLango District until 1974, when it was split into the districts ofApac andLira, and subsequently into several additionaldistricts. The current Lango Region now includes the districts ofAmolatar,Alebtong,Apac,Dokolo,Kole,Lira,Oyam,Otuke, andKwania.[3] The total population of Lango District is currently[when?] about 2,884,000.[4]
The Lango people speak theLango language, aWestern Nilotic language of theSouthern Luo group.[5]
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The Langooral tradition states that they were part of the "Lango race" during themigration period. This group later split into several distinct groups before enteringUganda[6] (see Tarantino, Odwe, Crazollara, Uzoigwe). The name “Lango” is found inTeso,Kumam,Karamojong,Jie, andLabwor vocabularies, reflecting that how these groups once used to belong to the Lango race.[6][7][8]
Hutchinson (1902) states:
"One of the chief nations of the late kingdom of Unyoro are the Lango (Lango, Longo) people, who although often grouped with theNilotic Negroes, are really of the Galla stock and speech. They form, in fact, an important link in the chain ofHamitic peoples who extend from Galla-land throughUnyoro and Uganda southwards toLake Tanganyika. Their territory which occupies both banks of the Somerset orVictoria Nile between Foweira and Magungo, extends eastwards beyond Unyoro proper to the valley of theChol, one of the chief upper branches of theSobat.[9][10][11] They still preserved their mother tongue amid Bantu and Negroid populations, and are distinguished by their independent spirit, living in small groups, and recognizing notribal chief, except those chosen to defend the common interest in the time of war"[6] (p. 360).
Hutchinson (1902) adds:
"The Lango is especially noted for the care bestowed on their elaborate and highly fantastic head-dress. The prevailing fashion may be described as a kind of a helmet... Lango women, who amongst the finest and most symmetrical of the Equatorial lake regions, wear little clothing or embellishments beyond west-bands, necklaces, armlets, and anklets" (p. 360).
Rwot Ogwangguji was born in 1875 in Abedpiny village inLira District (Okino, Patrick, and Odongo, Bonney). He was the son of a Rwot (chief) – Rwot Olet Apar, the leader of the Oki clan.[12] His first administrative chief title was the Jago (sub-chief) of Lira. In 1918, he was elected county chief (Rwot) by Erute county, Lango. He continued as Rwot of Erute county until 28 February 1951, and was later on promoted to the title of Rwot Adwong (Senior Chief). Rwot Ogwangguji is known as a chief who bridged "old Lango" into "new Lango" through his extensive work history during a period of many changes in the 20th century in Uganda. He was awarded the M.B.E. in the New Year's Honors in 1956 and subsequently retired in December 1957.[12][13][14]
Driberg described Lango people as:
"brave and venturesome warriors who have won fear and respect of their neighbours...not being idle witnesses to watching of the misfortunes of their neighbours...treating facts of life with no sense of false modesty..."[11]
The Lango army was united under onemilitary leader chosen from available men, and all had to agree to be led by him.[10][6] Thesemilitary leaders would lead the Langoarmy against other groups. Their authority ended when the war was over, and they all returned to their clans and resumed their daily occupations and were not entitled to any special benefits. Famous military leaders were Ongora Okubal, who brought the Lango to their present land, Opyen who succeeded Ongora Okubal and was followed by Arim Oroba, and Agoro Abwango. Agoro Abwango led his men to fight the Banyoro and was killed inBunyoro.[15] The Lango oral literature has it that as the soldiers who went to help Kabalega retreated towards the Nile, they helped Kabalega and Mwanga, the deposed King ofBunyoro andBuganda respectively cross theNile River.[10] They were moved along the northern corridor of Lake Kwania. At the time, a warrior called Obol Ario who had conquered much of the northern part of the lake was there. It's believed he helped smuggle the two deposed kings towardsDokolo, where they settled atKangai. Obol Ario of Apac Okwero Ngec Ayita Clan eventually settled at Amac where he later died and was buried.[9]
Land in thepre-colonial era wascommon land, and any untilled area belonged to the first person or family who tilled it, and it was passed on to the eldest son.[16] "Land which had not been cultivated in the past could be tilled by any family, and, when once it had been tilled, the community regarded it as the property of the family whose ancestor first cultivated it."[15] Traditionalland tenure is still widely used in rural areas.[12][9][5]
Although many Lango practice Islam or Christianity, the influence of traditional beliefs still plays a significant role in the religious lives of the Lango. In traditional Lango myth, each individual has a guardian spirit and metaphysical soul. Additionally, ancestral cults and belief in the supreme god,Jok, played a large role in the religion.[17][7]
Primary occupations of the Lango people include hunting, farming and raising livestock.[17]
The Lango people have over 148 registered clans with the Lango Cultural Foundation, an institution mandated with the powers to organize, control and represent all clans in the Lango communities.[18][19]
The Lango people have several traditional dances. These include Okeme and Abuda which are very popular and performed during cultural functions, weddings or other ceremonies.[20][failed verification]
