Ugandan customs and etiquette

The

is in Uganda. People admire drums and regard them as a symbol of good fortune and sublime. In the case of underdeveloped communication, people use drums to convey information. Even in the jungle, people can judge what is happening based on the different drum points and changes in rhythm.

The Karamoja people in the northeastern mountains believe that wearing clothes can lead to disaster. So they don't wear clothes, regardless of whether they are men, women or children. Women sometimes only carry a piece of animal skin on their lower body, and men and children are even naked. If someone puts on clothes, they will be shredded by the local people, and the pieces of clothes will have to be swallowed by themselves.

The local Kalamoja boy needs to put on the skin of the beast he killed to win the girl's heart. If the girl is moved, she will throw herself into his arms; if the girl is indifferent and does not smile, the boy will go into the mountains alone or go to other tribes to grab livestock until the girl's "heart door" is "knocked open.

Ugandans generally shake hands when meeting guests on social occasions. In order to respect their guests, they usually call male and female guests "Dad" and "Mom" respectively (which does not mean title, but means respect). When meeting close friends, you should shake hands and hug. When hugging, hold the other person's waist with your left hand, gently tap the other person's back with your right hand, and keep greeting him; when meeting guests with status, you often raise your hands to greet him and perform semi-kneeling ceremony.

When Ugandan women meet foreign male guests, they usually bow down and bend their knees to meet each other; when they meet foreign female guests, they usually hug each other. There is also a special way of greeting: after shaking hands with the female guests, they also have to circle around the guests and make bursts of restrained screams. They regard treating guests in this way as the most affectionate and friendly gesture.

The staple food of Ugandans is a traditional rice called "matoki"(grain banana), which is indispensable in local families and restaurants. The method is very simple. Remove the skin of the "Matoki" banana, wrap it in the "Matoki" leaves, steam or boil it, stir it into a banana paste, and then pour it with various seasonings according to your taste. It is delicious and delicious.

In terms of diet, the Karamoja people in Uganda like to eat raw beef and raw mutton, and drink milk, goat's milk and cattle and sheep blood. What is even more strange is that they often quench their thirst with cow urine. In addition, they also use cow urine to wash dishes, wash faces, etc. When drinking milk, I also like to add a few drops of cow urine to stimulate appetite.

Ugandans also like beer very much. Their beer is still banana beer brewed by mixing bananas and sorghum flour and fermenting it. It tastes sweet and mellow. The wine is placed in the wine jar, and a straw pipe is inserted when drinking. They like to taste China dishes and are accustomed to using hand-picked rice when eating. When getting married, a banana banquet is often held. The main food at the banquet is made from bananas. Such as: banana juice, banana snacks, banana horns and banana beer.

Ugandans are very enthusiastic about treating people. When guests visit, the owner and the whole family will wait outside the courtyard. Ugandans will entertain guests with a traditional meal made of corn, millet, beans, and potatoes. If you are not afraid, you can also taste local dishes such as fried ants and fried locusts.

What is particularly commendable is that Uganda's banana food is uniquely prepared and makes people's appetite increase. They steam, stew, stir-fry, roast, fry, etc., and everything is mouth-watering. Coupled with banana juice and banana wine, it becomes a veritable first-class banana banquet.

Special reminder: When visiting a Ugandan home, it is best to bring gifts to the host and hostess. The most popular topics for conversation with the host are domestic and international affairs and art.

Because 36% of Ugandans believe in Catholicism, 33% believe in Protestantism, 20% believe in primitive religions, and 8% believe in Islam. Therefore, Ugandans avoid "13" and "Friday", believing that "13" and "Friday" are very unlucky numbers that will bring them misfortune and disaster. People who believe in Islam also abstain from pork and use pig products.

The Karamoja people in Uganda have always been tight-lipped about their wealth. They especially avoid others asking about the number of their cattle and sheep, and they never inquire about other people's property. Therefore, it is taboo for others to point their fingers at cattle and sheep and talk to them, thinking this is a great insult to them. If someone does this, at least they will scold them, or at worst they will be taught a lesson with a stick.

They also avoid passing things or food with their left hand, believing that the left hand is dirty and the right hand is clean.

Locals also taboo some gestures: extending their left hand, palm down, and fingers apart is an act of cursing; talking with a finger is to laugh at the other person for being a straw bag. They also avoid sticking out their tongue in excitement because of something.