Karamoja Forum
Across the world, traditional indigenous societies are at risk of losing their livlihoods, threatened by drought, environmental degradation, overpopulation, armed conflicts, and the hard realities of life on earth in the twenty-first century. Nowhere are those troubling realties more stark than in Karamoja.
Over the vast savannah and plains of northeast Uganda, the proud Karimojong have lived and roamed with their herds of cattle for centuries. Today, however, Uganda’s warrior nomads stand at a crossroads. Cattle raiding gone amok and environmental pressures have led to humanitarian crisis. Efforts involving Ugandan government initiatives, NGOs, and the people of Karamoja themselves have intensified. They include education, disarmament, peace processes, resource management, controlled grazing, and grassroots community organisation just to name some of the necessary efforts.
Dialogues about such issues are critical to Karamoja’s future whether they occur at gatherings of Karimojong elders outside of Manaty or on an internet forum between professional and stakeholders in the region. So you are welcomed to express your thoughts here.
Karamoja Forum Issue:
What do you think of the views expressed in the first Karamoja! exclusive interviews?
Thanks for the innovation.This has been a long awaited intervention for the poor neglected pastoralists of East Africa. I wish you everlasting endevor in tackling Karamoja’s problems. Lorna, Kapchorwa, Uganda
This is a good beginning to a long oral-culture that keeps the world ignorant of what is happening in Karamoja/Uganda/Africa.
On the views, I think there is need for a lot of information purification despite the fact that facts on Karamoja are widely expressed. I think there is need for more exactitude.Lo! it is a good point of departure. Thanks!
Jerremy and authors of Karamoja the land of worrior normads have done quite a tremendous job in recent times in exposing the beauty and literature of karamoja.My University Brandeis is proud of some copies we got and has formed abasis for reference of some literature for students particularly interested in pastoral studies as I am already one of the beneficiaries.Bravo to you all and lets return back to Karamoja one time.
I wish I knew why the gapped teeth?? I have her photo in my special book but why the teeth, I can’t find out.
You have created a wonderful website with much information and photos, I am learning a great deal from it.
Thank you
I am going to Siroti in Jan. 2009, and I want to order the book Karamoja! Uganda’s Land of Warrior Nomads. Where can I get it? I couldn’t find it on Amazon.com.
I am going to work in one of the IDP camps. What languages will I find spoken there? Marion
The info on Karamoja is great. Can I use quotes from the interview with Phillips Lomma for a newspaper(Young Talk) for school pupils coming out this May. He is a role model and worth talking about. Thanks and keep it up.
Bravo for startig this important forum. Westerners know nothing of the plight of these proud people. The sensitive debate between preserving traditional culture and developing primary schools, medical care and food security is one that needs more exposure in development circles. Giving voice to all stakeholders is key.
Is there a way we contributors to this forum can connect with each other? I am helping a Karamojan/Canadian friend with an initiative in Nwakwai that would value input.
Something BIG is happening in Karamoja. Last September I was a member of a group of 5 men who went near Moroto to put on a Peace Conference at a local church. The results have been huge. 7000 people moved to the base of Mt. Napak. There are now 39 villages made up of two tribes- the Bokora and Pian.
This July 08 I will be a member of a medical team from two churches in the States going in to minister to these two tribes. We will be dedicating two bore holes and providing medical treatment and hygene for these new villages.
To my knowledge this is the first peace village that has had any sucess. One of the most important decsions these people made was that cattle would not be allowed into the area for several years. The seed has been planted and we are hoping to expand the peace gatherings to other neighboring tribes.
Many have tried, but it has been a faith based orginization that is most effective at bringing peace to this land of beautiful people.
Marion Toepke McLean
Thanks for your interest in the copy of the book. I wish it was possible to know the country you are then you would be advised on how to get a copy. But when in Uganda in 2009 please just go to Aristoc Booklex in Kampala, Uganda’s capital. For more information on the people of Soroti and IDPs please write to; pastoralmedia@yahoo.com
Tell them that Beetle Tours is geting set to take those interested in seeing the tresures of the land of the warrior nomads through memorable safaris. From scenic landscapes to the wildlife reserves and Kidepo Np, fosil sites, Ngero rock paintings, cultural interests, forsil sites and the still to be in place Karamoja Museum.
Our brochure is in the final stages of preparation.
I heard a ‘rumour’ that a Karamoja forum meeting is being arranged to take place in October in Germany, can someone shade more light?
Daniel, there is a forum in October in Germany. You can get more information about it on http://www.karamoja.eu. This is an extremely important meeting for all people interested in Karamoja affairs and we urge everyone from the private sector and the government to attend. David Pluth
At least Karamoja is going to be heard now and yet it has been in existence for time immemorial. The karamoja forum should be broadened to include the rest of the ATEKER cluster of Sudan(the Didinga,the jie of Sudan,etc) and those of Ethiopia together with the Turkana of Kenya. This is how the Karamoja forum will be succesful otherwise thanks for the initiative so far
I hope the karamoja forum participants are representative enough for the entire karamoja because unlike other tribes karamoja is a multi ethnic community with diverse cultural and socio-economic settings whereby within karamoja there are over eleven different sub tribesand that is manifested by the differences in their languages,cultures,etc. my worry is that those who are not represented in the forum may have a bias on the views arrived at due to their being excluded from participation. let’s hope this does not arise.
Heh. Nice. I am proud of my good continuity I have a joke for you =) What do you get when you cross a rabbit and a spider? A HAREnet!
Hi all!
As newly registered user i only want to say hi to everyone else who uses this board B-)
What is bumburbia?
Hi, I have recently visited karamoja. my journey begun on the streets of Kampala where karamojong babies are being used to beg. apparently there is a racket. I am determined to eliminate the karamojong babies off the streets of Kampala. I will need all of the support from this forum
Hi! Am Ugandan and never been to Karamoja – its a shame! I was just introduced to Karamoja as I prepared a project proposal on trade in gum arabic to improve livelihoods and also use trade as an incentive to invest in and promote sustainable land management. Planning to visit the region before the end of May, and your site just like that of the OPM have been valuable insights to what is happening in the region.
Your efforts to enlighten Ugandans is commended and I will check out for the book at Aristoc as suggested, and will also regularly visit the site for new developments.
Best regards
Ejoka Lokiru! Are you still alive?! I think of you often. Let me know.
We are beginning work in Karamoja,. We are The Master’s Vineyard ministry and our goal is to give the current Karamojong generation tools that will sustain them in the future. Water is scarce and is needed to sustain the people and thier animals. This year there is less rain and the reality of starvation in sight.
Support our efforts by visting our website at http://www.mvministry.org.