11/06/2015 | International Evening in Galilee, Israel, Through the lenses of Robert Nviiri

Buganda Royal Spears L-R in pairs: Ground forces, Navy and Airforce (3), Navy, Ground forces

Uganda is located in East Africa and borders with Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Democratic Republic of Congo in the West, South Sudan in the North, and Rwanda in South West. Although a Republic, it has a number of Kingdoms, the main ones being Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, and Busoga.

Uganda was represented by Robert Nviiri, Michael Jjemba and Rev. Fr. Dr. Epiphany Picho. The cultural presentation was sampled from the central region, Buganda kingdom.

The Baganda, one of the 52 tribes of Uganda, itself having 52 clans each with a totem (emiziro), had their own coding system for everything. The Kanzu (tunic) is coded with embroidery (amajoba ana and omuleera), the spears are coded by regiment (amatabaazi, empingu, aga Kibuuka). The names are coded by clan and special events (Wasswa, Kato, Babirye, Nnakato, Ssaalongo, Nnaalongo, Kigongo, Kizza, Kamya, Nnakamya, Kityo, Nnakityo, Kaggwa, Nnakaggwa, Kitooke/Kiteerera). Even the dressing is coded by royal and commoner, not to mention the language (spoken).

The Uganda display arena: Uganda Waragi (Dry gin) 40% by volume, bag, royal spears, key holders

Uganda – Israeli cultural friendship L-R: Jjemba, Nviiri and Einav

Kenyan display arena. L-R: Kariuki, Irimu and Mayenze

South Sudan display arena

Ghana display. Kente cloth and cocoa are distinct. Display being manned by Kofi Dzamefe

Fiji display

Traditional Fiji warrior illustrated by Aporosa Lutunauga

Nigeria display

Collins Ihekire explaining some aspects of Nigerian policies. Looking on is Precious Agbede

Zimbabwe display

India participants

United Republic of Tanzania

Products of Tanzania

Zambia display

East Timor

Malawi

Foodstuff from Nigeria

Nigeria-Uganda-Fiji cultural friendship. L-R: Gbassa, Nviiri, Lutunauga

South Sudan’s Keji manning the South Sudan display arena

Mario, the Hebrew-English-Portuguese translator. Behind him is Rufaro Banhamombe from Zimbabwe

Kenya-Nigeria-Zimbabwe cultural friendship. L-R: Kariuki, Aliyu, Mbura, Kisali and Chinyani

Part of the audience from Israel, India and Nigeria

Artist presentation from East Timor by Ximenes de Jesus

Presentation from India

Presentation from Nigeria

Presentation from Uganda by Rev. Fr. Dr. Epiphany Picho, Nviiri, and Jjemba

Presentation by Mozambique