Lecture
‘We died the day we left the forests’: Documenting the collective memories of the lost heritage of the Basua of Bundibugyo
- Date
- Tuesday 20 May 2025
- Time
- Address
- Online
Register now to join Professor Saudah Namyalo of Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda) for this special lecture exploring the cultural threats faced by the Basua, following their forced displacement from their traditional home in the Ugandan forest. Attempts to document and preserve their heritage will also be discussed.
Abstract
The Basua, also known as the Batwa of Bundibugyo in Uganda, formerly lived as foragers in the Semulik forests. In 1993, they were violently evicted under the guise of conservation by the government of Uganda. Having been forced from their natural habitat, the Basua are gradually losing their unique heritage. They are starting to adopt the traditions of the local communities and are increasingly shifting to the primary languages spoken in the region, including Lubwisi, Kwamba, and Lukhonzo.
With their culture under threat, there exists a significant risk of assimilation. This will jeopardize their language and identity, and will compromise their ability to transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and skills for future generations.
Drawing from the testimonies of the Basua, Professor Saudah Namyalo will discuss the Basua’s lost heritage. In addition, she will explore the possibilities and challenges of documentation and preservation attempts.
Join us on Zoom on 20 May at 13.00 CEST.
RegisterUna-Europa Africa Seed Funding
This lecture is held as part of the Enhancing Linguistic Scholarship in Eastern Africa (ELSEA) project – an initiative made possible by Una Europa–Africa Partnership Seed Funding.
Una Europa is an alliance of 11 leading research universities, including Leiden University.
The alliance provides all students and employees at Leiden University with international opportunities for collaboration and development. Think, for example, of summer and winter schools, seed funding grants, and exchange programmes for staff and students. Learn more about Una Europa at Leiden University.