Ssezibwa falls-a Blend of Legends and Cultural Traditions
Ssezibwa Falls brings alive Uganda’s Traditional Culture
A visit to Ssezibwa Falls – Culture – Legends – Scenic Wonders will look into the Baganda Culture. It is here where past Kabakas (Kings) like Kabaka Mwanga ll planted a tree, one of the most massive trees. It was and is a place of serenity for the past and the present Kabaka.
Today the Baganda people still seek out those who practice traditional healings and are purported to perform miracles. The falls and the river split into two have meaning to the Baganda people regarding the legend of a woman giving birth, and out of her came two rivers. Sacrifices are still made here after the birth of twins.
The Ssezibwa Falls area is a Buganda Kingdom Heritage site owned by the Buganda Kingdom. Ironically, on the other side of the river is a Christian spiritual retreat owned by the Anglican Church of Uganda. The church of Uganda is quite evangelical, and Baptisms are performed below the Ssezibwa falls. Christians come here to pray and spend time on a spiritual retreat, while traditional religious practices take place on the other side of the river.
During your visit to Ssezibwa Falls, there is a chance that you might see traditional beliefs and rituals such as offerings being brought and sacrifices being made.
SsezIbwa Falls is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind place combining ancient Culture, Religion, and Nature with Cultural Tourism.
Background and History of Ssezibwa Falls
Visiting Ssezibwa Falls: Kampala can be the busiest city, with traffic jams and people moving everywhere – Ssezibwa Falls is the opposite. It is a place that is restive, cultural – scenic, and a short drive from Kampala.
There is a resort here called Ssezibwa Falls resort where you can even spend the night and go to sleep to the sounds of the falls, have lunch here, or have dinner. The falls to the Baganda are much more than a small waterfall; they are a part of their culture, history, and traditional belief system.
“sezibibwa kkubo” means that no obstacle can stop me from moving on. From Ssezibwa, two rivers move past the tranquil island that separates them into two streams, reminding locals of the legend of how the rivers began.
Many hundreds of years ago, in this area of Uganda, there was a woman named Nakangu. She was who was a member of the Fox clan. She was about to give birth to twins, but two rivers were born from her were two streams. In local tradition, it is believed that the spirits of Nakungu’s unborn children – Ssezibwa and Mobeya, still live on and inhabit the river’s waters.
It was the custom for a Muganda passing the river’s source to throw a handful of stones or grass into the river for good luck. Many Baganda still connects something supernatural when someone gives birth to twins. Even today, at times, you can come across people with sacrifices of local brew beer, barkcloth, chickens, and goats. There is a fertility shrine in an indention in the rocks by the falls. Some women who have given birth to twins will come here and pay honor to the lubaale. A spirit (not God or Gods-
Katonda is the God in the traditional Kiganda belief system) honors one of them with a gift.
On the other hand, a portion of the Ssezibwa site is run by the Church of Uganda. Christians also come here to pray and seek God, water baptism is also performed here, and on Friday evening, there is prayer and worship.
Ssezibwa Falls has a long and rich cultural tradition. Even some of the Kabakas (Kings) of the Buganda Kingdom came here and planted trees …in times gone by. Kabaka Mwanga II would come here and sit underneath a tree. At the same time, he held a meeting. The current Kabaka Ronald Frederick Muwenda Mutebi II also planted a tree here during the dedication of the present site in 2002.
Most visitors will enjoy the natural and tranquil setting of Ssezibwa Falls. Observe the birds in the surrounding area, hike around, or even take a long bike ride, provided you have a bike. You can enjoy lunch at the resort or stay overnight in peace.
The Below article was published in the Independent – it noted that excessive Witchcraft practices were going on at Ssezibwa Falls, and those tourists were staying away because of it. The other side could be the opposite, a tourist attraction.
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uncontrolled witchcraft practices at Ssezibwa falls in the Buikwe district discourage local tourists from visiting the falls despite its beautiful scenery. As a result of the legends, many witches flock to Ssezibwa falls with many followers to perform rituals seeking the blessings of twins.
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