The Banyankole

"The Banyankole" is a comprehensive ethnological study documenting the life, customs, and social structure of the Banyankole people of the Ankole kingdom in modern-day Uganda. Based on the findings of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition to Central Africa, John Roscoe provides a detailed account of a society at a pivotal moment in history. The work meticulously explores the dual social divisions of the pastoral Bahuma and the agricultural Bairu, detailing their distinct roles, traditions, and interactions.

Readers will find deep insights into the religious beliefs, marriage customs, government, and economic activities of the region. From the rituals surrounding the Mugabe (King) to the daily practices of cattle rearing and land cultivation, "The Banyankole" remains a foundational text for those interested in East African history and cultural anthropology. Roscoe's systematic approach captures the complexities of kinship systems and oral traditions, preserving a wealth of information regarding the cultural heritage of the Great Lakes region. This volume serves as an essential resource for scholars of African studies and anyone seeking to understand the traditional foundations of Ugandan society.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

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