The potential of Kinyankore culture as a tourism product

Abstract

The kinyankore culture is one of the cultures of Uganda shared by two groups of people: the Bahima (pastoralist) and also Bairu (cultivators) altogether referred to as Banyankore. People in this culture speak a Bantu language called Runyankore of Niger-Congo family. This culture exists among the people of Mbarara, Rwampara, Bushenyi, Sheema, Buhweju, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Mitoma, Ibanda, and Isingiro districts (former Ankole Kingdom) situated in western Uganda. The Banyankore engage in numerous artistic activities involving music, literature, sports, weaving, and dancing. The kinyankore culture has features like the traditional dress, dance, music, and the long-horned cattle which are the most treasured possession in their lives; providing milk, ghee, beef, and hides. The Ankole long-horned cow is still most treasured possession in the lives of banyankore although it is threatened by the introduction of exotic cows. Cows are also a mode of payment of bride price but the bride price amongst banyankore is not a serious problem as the groom’s side receives emihingiro (gifts) which in most cases is much more than what the groom’s parents give the bride’s (Kirindi, 2008).