About Cultural Research Center
The centre. is located in Jinja. The museum was established in 2008 to research, document, collect, preserve and display the tangible and intangible cultural resources of the Basoga of eastern Uganda. At this museum, you will learn all about the cultural heritage of the Basoga. The museum has a rich literature on the culture of the Basoga. Are you looking for original Kisoga drums or wooden plates for chiefs? Or do you simply need to travel back in time, to experience the lifestyle of the Basoga in generations gone by?, this museum will suit your desire.
Our exhibits include traditional Kisoga musical instruments, fishing and hunting tools, wood works and sculpture, pottery, basketry, wildlife, traditional Kisoga house hold utensils, items of Kisoga traditional religion, traditional tools used in agriculture, history of the Catholic Church in Busoga, history of Busoga kingdom and the Kyabazinga (king).
CONTACT PERSON
Rev. Fr. Richard Kayaga Gonzaga
Telephone. +256-434-243962
Other contact. www.crcjinja.org
FEATURED ITEMS
1. Olusai (Lusoga) – Milking Vesse
This is a three legged cylindrical wooden mortar that was used as a milking vessel in Busoga.
It was originally curved from either Markhamia Lutea (Musambya) or Albizia Coriaria (Musita) trees that are known for hard wood and are indigenous in Busoga.
The three stands support the Olusai firmly on the ground while milking and also distinguishes it from other types of mortars that are used for pounding foodstuffs and herbs whose base is flat.
The Olusai is preferred for milking as it does not make strange sound when milk drops into it as opposed to metallic and plastic milking cans which produce the sound. It is believed that the strange sound produced by the latter scares the cow and strains the flow of milk. Olusai is still used in some parts of Busoga for milking especially in rural villages.
2. Luserya (Lusoga) – Wooden food bowl.
This is a wooden bowl with two compartments, one for food and the other for sauce accompanying the food. This was used for serving food to the chiefs, heads of families and people of high social status as opposed to clay bowls that were used to serve the ordinary men. Traditionally it was believed that people of high social status could not be served food in bowls made of clay an equivalent of eating from the soil.
3. Entongoli (Lusoga) – Lyre
It’s a traditional Kisoga musical instrument with two wooden handles, eight strings and a sound box covered with the monitor lizard skin on top and a cow hide or deer skin at the back. The length of each string is on average 52 centimeters. It’s a very important instrument in Kisoga music as it is used to play music during special traditional ceremonies, used to communicate important messages regarding peace, harmony, marriage tips and food security.
4. Ensuwa y’eminwa esatu (Lusoga) – Pot with three spouts.
This is a ceremonial pot made out of clay with three spouts that signify the respect and importance accorded to the triplets among the Basoga.
Each spout represents a child. It is used to celebrate the birth of triplets and related ceremonies. The fermentation of the beer should be made in this pot and only consumed by family and friends who also gave birth to twins and triplets.
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