Culture and Traditions in Karamoja Homestead
A Karamojong village is also known as “Manyatta” or “Ere” meaning an enclosed residential area, surrounded by sharp thorns and with small entry points for people and a larger entry point for cattle. One Manyatta has multiple families and a communal space for cattle.
The Karamojong reside in the largely permanent Manyattas during the wet /rainy season. As soon as the weather conditions are suitable for agriculture and livestock herding. Men stay mainly in the Kraal during dry season as they migrate closer to water sources, woman and children remain in the Manyattas to prepare of rAgriculture production and others look for income generating activities ‘Elejilej’.
Activities
These income generating activities undertaken by young Karamojong to supplement the income of the families. Although traditionally associated with activities like cattle grazing, the term has recently been associated with children begging in the streets. Elejilej have become particularly common among minors in Kampala and other urban centres in Uganda but small income generating activities like working in people houses and grazing are also by children in rural destinations.
Kraal
The temporary camps where Karamojong, predominantly male and their livestock move during the dry season. Kraals are located in areas receiving relatively more rainfall, green and in between the bush/wild forest and are therefore suitable for cattle herding. Some women and children join their husband and fathers to perform house hold activities and tend the animals. Boys that one old enough can join the men without the supervision of their mothers. Kraal activities can be:
- Story telling
- Milking
- Blood collecting
- Goat roast
- Fire making
- Blood roastin
- Restling
- Animal grazing
