Are We All In This Together?

For a country the size of Oregon, with a population of 36.35 million, Uganda has approximately 56 tribes and over forty languages. 

You may be asking why this post is starting to look more like a problem solving question on your 10^th grade algebra exam but there is a reason.

There are many differentiations in the dances, languages, people, traditions, and tribes that make-up this beautiful country.  With these differences come angst, hostility, and a general sense of, “I am better than you.”

But I have to ask.  Are you really?

I last month I moved up to the Northern part of the country, which is vastly difference that the Southwest region I was used to.  They speak a Nilotic language rather than Bantu, which I have gathered means that the longest word in Acoli is six letters versus eleven in Runyankore.  The skin on the Acoli is notably darker, part in contribution to the fact that the North is close to Sudan and the Sudanese are darker in color than most.  Trust me, you haven’t seen black until you have seen some true Acoli.  The landscape is significantly more flat, with hills resembling mountains because of the vast emptiness, but a miracle has blessed the North with still being green in color.  There is no matooke but rather enough maize to supply the country with.

And it is hot.  Oh so hot. 

A huge part of history that separates the North from the rest of its country is the 20-plus-year war that the Lord’s Resistance Army targeted on this region of Uganda.  People in other parts of the country still fear visiting the North for reasons that the war is still happening or that “those ones” are so affected they still live a very nomadic life or that those mud huts are not conducive to living.  People lost respect for them but this is not to say that the Acoli tribe is the only one receiving all the heat. 

Let the stereotypes begin.

The Baganda, those living in the Central region, are thought of as rude, not caring about others, and being more westernized thanks to Kampala.

The Bunyoro, those taking place in the West, are thought of as being promiscuous and wealthy.

The Banyankore, those occupying the Southwest, are labeled as having ownership of the cows, having nice roads, being arrogant, beautiful, and having big behinds thanks to the milk.

The Basoga, those residing in the East, are said to be typical womanizers and that the women have a high tolerance point.

The Teso men, those who take place in the far Eastern region, are said to be players whereas the women are some of the hardest working in the country.

People say that the Langi, who live in the North, find their breakfast in the bars, AKA they like the local brew.

The Karamojong, those in the Northeast, are classified as being very primitive, dirty, illiterate, running around without clothes, living without any amenities, and treasure their animals more than anything.

Now do not get me wrong, regional differences like this exist in The States as well.  Think about it… The Deep South versus the West coast versus the Mid-West versus the East coast. 

Simply think about the differences that exist within ones one state… Southern California versus Northern California. 

I just wish people everywhere would realize that it is simple to put differences aside and respect everyone for who they are.  Understand that these are the things that make us unique, different, and allow for culture.  Thanks to these distinctions we can continue to broaden our horizons and facilitate an exchange of information and traditions among others. 

In the words of the High School Musical cast, and our beloved Country Director, “We’re all in this together!”