Uganda Peoples >> The Nilo
Hamites >> The Iteso
Langi | Karimojong|
Kumam | Kakwa
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The Iteso live in eastern Uganda in the districts
of Soroti and Kumi. Some are in Pallisa and Tororo districts.
The political insecurity of the early 1980's caused many Iteso
to move as far south as Iganga district. They are part of
the Lango group which is said to have come from Abyssinia.
By the first half of the 18th century they had settled on
the shores of Lake Salisbury.
Tradition asserts that the ancestors of the
Iteso came from the direction of Abyssinia through Karamoja.
Historians have modified this tradition to assert that the
Iteso are a Nilo-Hamitic group with similar origins as the
Langi, the Karimojong, the Jie and the Kumam.
Political set-up
The clan was a basic social and political
unit. It was administrative and judicial in character. Initially
Iteso society was comprised of nine clans. The subsequent
clans are said to have broken off from the nine. Each clan
had a leader called Apolon ka Ateker. He was normally elected
from other elders at a merry ceremony known as Airukorin.
The person selected as Apolon ka Ateker was usually a person
of courage, impartiality and wisdom. The actual inauguration
ceremony involved opening up a road that had been deliberately
blocked for about two weeks. Previously, the Apolon ka Ateker
was greatly respected. He acted as an arbitrator in the event
of disputes. During the British colonial administration his
position was reduced to that of a third grade chief and referred
to as omusalatuo.
Settlement of disputes
The clan leader was assisted by a council
of elders known as Airabis or Aurianet. This council dealt
with cases like murder and debts. In cases involving murder,
compensation could be paid in the form of a girl or a cow.
During inter-clan settlements, the elders would come fully
armed. In case the other side showed uncompromising behaviour,
fighting could easily ensue. After settling a dispute, a ceremony
known as epucit or aijuk was performed whereby a bull was
exacted from the offending side and killed, roasted and eaten
there and then. This was intended to act as a gesture of renewed
co-operation between the two clans. The appropriate compensation
in form of a cow or a girl would then be handed over. The
girl so given, would have an iron ring put in her ear lobe.
If the girl was lacking in beauty, some cows would also be
paid to boost her value. After the ceremony and payment of
the compensation, it would be assumed that the murder case
was sufficiently settled.
In the case of a bad debtor, the offender was asked to pay
the debt within an agreed period. If he refused or defaulted,
he would be caught and tied to a log and left there until
his clan rescued him by paying back the debts he owed.
Social Set-up
The social system of the iteso was centred
around the clan system and they shared similar cultural elements
with the Langi and the Karamajong. Also, due to the influence
of the Karimojong. Also, due to the influence of the neighbouring
Bantu societies, particularly the Basoga, the Iteso women
used to wear barkcloth while the young girls wore itibire
which were decorated with beads and arobai.
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