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Thursday, 17 July 2008 16:54 |
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In the Lubiri, there are outstanding features which include;
There are four large entrances leading into the Lubiri namely Wankaakii which is the main gate, Kalaala, Ssaabagabo/Wansaanso and Nalongo. There are also four small gates called “Obuzigo” which are used when taking a dead person out of the Lubiri. These do not have specific names.
At the main entrance is a fire place called Kyoto Ggombolola. It’s the outstanding symbol in Buganda which notifies the baganda that their king is alive and ruling.
Apart from Twekobe which is the official residential house for the Kabaka, there are other houses for the women (bazaana) who perform different duties for the Kabaka. Before, the houses in Lubiri were for women only, men came to carryout certain duties done by there clans and when the duties would be completed, they would leave the palace and go back to there homes.
There are also other people called “Abasiige” both men and women. These people are always taken to do things exemplary.
We also find different musical instruments which include drums and these drums have different names like “Entenga” this is associated with taking local brew, “Mujaguzo” which is always in the Lubiri during day time. It is sounded during cerebrations and happier times when the king appears before his subjects. Other drums include Nankasa, Muwogola, Enanga and other musical instruments.
The Lubiri also contain large banana plantations which are the official gardens for the queen of Buganda. There schools in the Lubiri to help educate Buganda’s children.
The Lubiri is guarded by people who differ from other subjects of the Kabaka. They are always at the gates of the Lubiri dressed in traditional attires and are referred to as “Abagazi”
Lubiri is divided into the core area (Olubiri olwo munda) which is the actual place where the Kabaka stays and carries out his duties and the Outer area (Olubiri lw’ebweru) which is the outside area surrounding the core area. This area is occupied by other people who stay and perform other duties in the Lubiri.
There different Kabaka’s servants found in the Lubiri and they all perform different duties. Some of these include the following
Ssaabakakii: His duty is to introduce to the Kabaka all the guests who come to see him.
Kalinda: He is responsible for preparing Kabaka’s drinking water.
Kabu: He is responsible for preparing Kabaka’s brew. It can be local brew or beer.
Ssebalijja: His duties are to look after the welfare of Kabaka’s cattle in the Lubiri.
Kawuka: This one handles and looks after Kabaka’s goats.
Kawuuta: He is responsible for preparing Kabaka’s food. “Obutuuso bwa Kabaka”
Abambowa: These are the Kabaka’s body guards.
Abatuuza: These are responsible for preparing and looking after the Kabaka’s furniture. I.e. Ebiwu ne Namulondo.
Abakongozi: During ancient times, the Kabaka was always carried on the shoulders and these are the people who where responsible for it. However, with time, cars came to Buganda and the Kabaka began to be driven. The name bakongozi also shifted to those who drive the Kabaka and this job is done by those who belong to the Mbogo clan.
Abagalagala: These are Kabaka’s servants who stay in Twekobe.
Namusu: He is responsible for the general cleanliness of the Kabaka and it is done by people from the Musu clan.
Kawuula: He is responsible for all the musical instruments in the palace and he is also responsible for sounding Mujaguzo.
Abazaana: These are ladies who perform different duties for the Kabaka in the Lubiri and some of these include;
Mubiinge: She helps to prepare the Kabaka’s food.
Nasaza: She looks after the Kabaka’s general hygiene i.e. she cuts off his nails and shaves his forehead.
Nakku: She is traditionally the official wife of the Kabaka in the Kiganda culture.
KYOTO GGOMBOLOLA
It is a fire place on the main gate where fire is kept burning all the time. Although some times there are no flames, it is always burning. The continuous burning of fire is a symbol that the Kabaka is alive and ruling. When a king passes away, the fire is then blown out to symbolize that there is no king ruling in Buganda. Its full names are Kyoto Ggombolola Buganda Mirembe.
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