Kwandhula - Cultural Engagement and Marriage in Busoga and Buganda

Abstract

Kwandhula or Kwanjula is an elaborate introduction ceremony of a husband to the wife's family, among the Basoga and Baganda, respectively, of Uganda. It is also considered to be a cultural or traditional marriage. Marriage plays many roles in these societies and it is considered to be a cardinal institution of social organization. It unites not just individuals but also families and even clans.

The paper shows who the main actors are during the kwandhula ceremony. It looks at how, over time, exogenous factors have altered this age-old institution. It compares how kwandhula was in yesteryears and how it is today, bearing in mind the changing times.The methodology is unstructured, qualitative and is an ethnographic insider's insight of what occurs during an introduction or marriage ceremony among the said societies. It is a narrative and interpretative discussion of this institution which has a lot of bearing on the family life of the said societies.

In conclusion, it states that although many external factors have changed kwandhula, it is still an important and respected ceremony which is still very much around.

Keywords: Kwandhula, kwanjula, anthropology, ethnology, marriage, culture, Basoga, Baganda

JEL Classification: Z00, J12