Uganda Peoples >> The Nilo Hamites
>> The Langi
Karimojong |
Iteso | Kumam
| Kakwa
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The Langi belong to the Lango family which
also comprised the Iteso and the Kumam, the Labwor, the Jie
(Lango-Blok) and the Karimajong (Lango-Dyang).
Origins
Tradition asserts that the Langi originated
from Mt. Otukei, also called Mt. Awil. They claim that they
came from mountains which had abundant rain. This land could
be Kaffa and this presupposed indeed that the Langi originated
from Abyssinia. Their original homeland was north of Lake
Turkana where they used to live along with the Jie and the
Karimojong. This means, by implication, that the Langi are
also related to Dodoth, Lotuko, Toposa, and the Turkana of
Kenya. Together with the Iteso, Kumam and Karimojong, they
comprise the Atekerin family in Uganda.
Political set-up
Lango society was segmentary. Leadership
was centred around the clan which would be both a kinship
unit and the basic constituency of politics within the Rwotdom.
The Rwot (chief) had the duty of controlling the entire clan.
He was helped by a council of elders. The other senior members
besides the Rwot were the leading elders of the clan. The
council of elders was responsible for general administration
and the maintenance of law and order within the clans. They
organised the payment of debts, luk (adultery and fornication
fines) as well as bride wealth . This council was also responsible
for organising the distribution or disposition of the property
of the deceased.
Many clan elders were usually brought together
to form the Odonge-Atekere and one of them would be elected
Rwot or Awitong as he was also called. The Odonge-Atekere
were the clan branch leaders and the Rwot had the duty . of
controlling all the affairs of the clan. He led the warriors
to war and mobilised defence during an invasion. After battle,
he organised a feast during which the moo and moi (military
ranks) were conferred upon those that deserverd them. These
ranks were for those who had displayed excellent performances
during the battle.
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