Profile Year: 2005 People and Language Detail Report Language Name: Ruli ISO Language Code: ruc

The Baruuli-Banyara of The Baruuli-Banyara are a people of Central Uganda who generally live near the River- basin. The people first settled in the northern part of Uganda, but later migrated to the western parts of Uganda to the kingdom as the king’s guards. Though the names of the two groups (Baruuli and Banyara) appear somewhat different, they see themselves as the same people and attribute the difference in names to the body of water (the ) that separates them. The Baruuli-Banyara culture has acquired cultural aspects of the surrounding and Banyoro. But despite being assimilated into these dominating cultures, the Baruuli-Banyara still continue to maintain their language and cultural identity. Some distinguishing characteristics of Baruuli-Banyara culture are their cultural leader - the Isaabaruuli - and their methods of naming around totems and giving names after circumstances. They have 120 clans but, unlike many other cultures, power is not hereditary. The Baruuli are keepers, goat-herders, fishermen and cultivators. Most live in mud houses with iron or thatched grass roofs. Transportation is difficult and people either walk or use bicycles for traveling, often for very long distances. The Baruuli-Banyara do not have Scriptures in their mother tongue, but use Bibles of the neighboring languages. However understanding of these Scriptures is severely limited due not only to low literacy rates but also because some of the Primary Religion: Baruuli-Banyara people are monolingual speakers of Ruruuli-Runyara. Nationals need training in various disciplines. Community development projects and more in-depth Bible training would be useful also. The Roman Disciples (Matt 28.19): Catholic and the Church of Uganda (or Anglican Church) are the two largest < 14% denominations among the Baruuli-Banyara. A very small percentage of the people are Muslim. Many still follow the traditional religions, and there is a high level of Churches: syncretism among those who go to church.

Scripture Status (Matt 28.20): None

Population (date): 140,000 (2002) The Baruuli-Banyara of Uganda Item Name Item Note Have They Heard The Gospel? Profile Summary Call Themselves Christian (%) >90% Believe In Jesus As God & Only Savior (%) < 14% Believe In The Local Traditional Religion (%) 39% Have Not Heard Who Jesus is (%) 0% Response To The Gospel syncretistic Comment (Number Communities) Roman Catholic and the Anglican Church of Uganda are the biggest denominations. There are a large number of growing Pentecostal Churches, as well. The Church of God and Seventh Day Adventists are also present in the area. Comment (Churches) There are different churches, such as Roman Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostals, Church of God, and Seventh Day Adventists. Is The Word Of God Translated? No Translation Medium Printed and Visual Any Hinderance To Scripture Distribution? Low literacy rate and poverty. Many do not have the resources to buy a Bible. Forms Of Gospel Presentation Available (Summary) The Luganda, Runyoro and Lusoga New Testament, Bibles are available and the JESUS Film in Luganda What Kind Of Missionaries Are Needed? Nationals need training; there are needs in many disciplines like community development projects and more in-depth Bible training Population All Countries Group Description World Population For This People 139,517 World Population (Date) (2002 housing and population census) Countries Where People Group Lives Group Description Country Name Uganda Geography & Environment Group Description Location The Baruuli/Banyara are a people group of Central Uganda who live generally near the Nile River-Lake Kyoga basin, living either to the west of the Nile boundary or to the south of the Lake Kyoga boundary. They live in Masindi, , Luwero and Districts. The Baruuli are a minority people group in the country, although they are the largest represented in Nakasongola District. Ecosystem Type savannah Geological Type plains Elevation Between 621 and 1400 meters above sea level Longitude 32 degrees 30' east Latitude 1 degree 30 Climate Modified equatorial climate type with characteristic high temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees C and average rainfall between 800 and 1000 millimeters per year. Comments (Geography & Environment) There are large tracks of land, many sparsely populated and underutilized. Map Features Victoria Nile River, Lake Kyoga, Masindi Port, River Titi, Lugogo swamp, Sezibwa river and swamp Language & Linguistics Group Description Primary Language Ruli Comment (Alternate Names) The alternate names are Ruruuli, Ruduuli and Runyara Comments (Dialect) Eastern Ruruuli, Western Ruruuli, also Runyara Attitude Towards Mother Tongue Very receptive Comment (Second Language) Lunyoro and Luganda are the second languages for the Baruuli/Banyara. Though most Baruuli are bilingual, there are some that are monolingual, especially in the more rural villages. Linguistically Related Languages Nyoro Comments (Neighbor Languages) Baruuli are surrounded by Luganda, Lunyoro, Lwo and Lusoga The Baruuli-Banyara of Uganda Item Name Item Note Literacy Group Description Literacy Attitude Very receptive Active Literacy Program Yes Comment (Active Literacy Program) Functional adult literacy program in Luganda Comment (Literacy) There is a language committee. Orthography is almost complete. An approved Ruruuli orthography is needed, as well as Ruruuli instructional materials in schools and orientation of teachers into teaching the language. Economics Group Description Subsistence Type Agriculturalists Comment (Subsistence Type) The Baruuli/Banyara are agriculturalists, pastoralists, and fishermen. Occupation Peasant farmers grow a variety of crops. In the northern areas of Nakasongola District and in , the Baruuli raise some cattle as well as chickens, goats, pigs, and a few sheep. These areas are drier with grass, bush land and many trees. Fishing in Lake Kyoga is common and subsistence crops include sweet potatoes, plantains, , , and , as well as lots of mangoes. Income Sources Charcoal burning; Cash crops include coffee, cotton and groundnuts Products / Crafts Basket weaving and carvings; pottery (ntamu) made from special river clay; canoes made from trees; Iron smelting using rare black stone, to create knives Trade Partners Banyoro, Banyankole, Baganda. Modernization / Utilities In urban areas the Baruuli have a decent standard of living which includes electricity, phones, and water. In contrast most rural Baruuli live in mud huts with tin or thatched roofs and no electricity. Most must travel long distances for water. Transportation is either on foot or by bicycle. Comment (Economy) Rural Baruuli are subsistence farmers and are very poor, due in large part to drought. Nomads in Nakasongola District have lost many cows as a result of previous droughts. Children in more rural areas are often dressed in ragged shirts and nothing else, while many of the women go barefoot. Community Development Group Description Health Care (Quality) Poor Comment (Health Care) Malaria is a big health problem, especially in the area around Lake Kyoga. There is a lot of poverty among rural Baruuli and many do not have financial resources to buy mosquito nets to help protect themselves from malaria. Lack of adequate transport greatly hinders the ministry of local pastors. Due to the very wet, swampy and therefore unstable soil, draining and digging holes for excrement pose huge problems which means that contaminated water sources are the rule in some areas. Diet (Quality) Fair Water (Quality) Poor Comment (Water) In Nabiswera County there are only 24 watering holes (mechanically operated pumps called "bore holes") in the entire county. People must travel miles to reach them. Cattle and goats are watered from these same holes, so the quality of water is not good. Water is carried long distances on one’s head or on bikes. A few water collection tanks were seen, provided by International Care and Relief, an NGO. Shelter Description Homes usually consist of one to two rooms and are made of mud with tin or thatched roofs. Electricity No electricity in rural villages Energy/Fuel (Quality) Fair Comment (Energy) wood and charcoal Clothing second hand western clothes Transportation by foot, motorbike taxis, or bicycles Society & Culture Group Description The Baruuli-Banyara of Uganda Item Name Item Note Family Structures Patrilineal and polygamous, with some men having up to six or seven wives. In the past, only the firstborn son could inherit land, but today daughters and younger children can inherit land also. Formerly children grew up and built their homes around the family home, but because of a different land system today, plots are quickly outgrown and children must move farther away. A child belongs to the clan of their father and the Baruuli do not marry individuals from the maternal side of the family. Neighbor Relations Good working relationship with neighbors in the people group. Authority / Rule Cultural leader and clan heads. In 2004 the Baruuli-Banyara King Isaabaruuli was reinstated. Social Habits/Groupings Families Identification With National Culture Integrated Self Image Prestigious Comment (Self Image) In the past the Baruuli were oppressed by the Baganda. Today they are taking more pride in their culture and language. Judicial / Punishment System In former times, crimes such as stealing, adultery, family abandonment and drunkenness were settled by clan heads. A common punishment (omutango) given to someone found guilty, was to require him to give two pots of local brew to the clan head. This was then shared among the people. Thieves could be forbidden to marry. More serious crimes, like murder, were referred to higher authorities like the local court. Today the government judicial system is applied throughout. Celebrations Twins were treated differently than single births in the Baruuli culture. When twins were born, the afterbirth (placenta, umbilical cord) was kept in a pot under a tree until the initiation ceremony. As part of the ceremony the branches of that tree were cut and placed around the pot. Recreations Mostly the men, but some women, gather in the evenings and drink local beer, which is made from millet, maize or bananas. Art Forms carvings Media Radio broadcasting in the surrounding language of wider communication (Luganda or Runyoro). Local Language Broadcasting none Attitude To Outsiders Very receptive Attitude To Change Somewhat receptive History Of People Group The Baruuli first settled in Northern Uganda (). However as a result of fighting with the Lwo, they migrated to the western parts of Uganda to the Banyoro kingdom as the king’s guards. Some Baruuli migrated to the central region and settled in Buruuli County (Nakasongola District). Some occupied Mukono and Kamuli Districts and some remained in Kiryandongo, Masindi and Apac Districts. In the past, the Baruuli have also endured a long period of subjugation by the Baganda. The Baruuli felt intimidated in the past, especially by the dominance of the Baganda who forced them to use Luganda. Today, they are interested in preserving their culture and there is a new revival of the language. Youth Group Description Labor and tasks (6-12 year olds) Many children are required to herd cattle, fish, and haul water. Comment (Youth) Poverty and sickness. Marriage and/or pregnancy for teenage girls. Transient, nomadic families. Education Group Description Primary Schools 962 Comment (Primary Schools) 963 total in all 4 districts. Nakasongola: 141; Luwero: 414; Masindi:202; Kayunga 206 Secondary Schools 228,total in all 4 districts. Nakasongola: 15; : 71; Masindi: 27; Kayunga: 115 Language Of Textbooks Early Years Ganda Language Of Textbooks Early Years English Language Of Instruction Later Years English Language Of Textbooks Later Years English Comment (Language Of Instruction) Luganda, Runyoro, Lusoga, and English are the languages of instruction in schools. Although English is used as the primary language from P4 on, many secondary students still struggle with the language in levels as high as Senior 3 and Senior 4. The Baruuli-Banyara of Uganda Item Name Item Note Church Growth Status of Christianity Reached Status Evaluated Comment (Total Baptized) The number of believers and those baptized is unknown. Bible Schools 0 Comment (Bible Schools) There are no Bible schools in the Buruuli area. Christian Clinics/Hospitals 0 Comment (Christian Clinics/Hospitals) There are no Christian clinics or hospitals in the Buruuli area. Christian Literacy Centers 0 Comment (Christian Literacy Center) No Christian literacy centers. Comment (Church Growth) A very large percentage of the Baruuli are Christians by name. According to the individual interviews conducted, the data reveals that only 14% of the Baruuli people have a realistic idea who Jesus Christ is and how to become a Christian, 30% believe that one becomes a Christian through baptism and 11% have no idea who Jesus is. There is a high level of syncretism between Christianity and traditional religions and the level of biblical teaching is very elementary. Most Baruuli profess to be Christians, but 70% of religious leaders report that many of the Baruuli Christians in their congregations still practice the traditional religion along with their Christianity. Religion & Response Status of Christianity Religious Practices & Ceremonies Many of the Baruuli’s cultural practices are derived from the Baganda and the Banyoro. The following, however, are said to be distinctive of the Baruuli culture.

Twins: Twins were treated differently than single births in Baruuli culture. When twins were born, the afterbirth (placenta, umbilical cord) was kept in a pot under a tree until the initiation ceremony. As part of the ceremony the branches of that tree were cut and placed around the pot.

The growth of the upper teeth ceremony for children; a knife is put on the upper teeth as if extracting the teeth, and it was believed that all children would die if this ceremony was not performed. Another is the funeral rites of the Baruuli that require villagers to mourn for a specified number of days, determined according to how closely-related the mourners were to the deceased. Thus, mourning clothes could be worn for up to several months if a close family member died.

The Baruuli have taboos. For example, sons-in-law are not supposed to shake hands with their mother-in-law, as daughters-in-law should not shake hands with their father- in-law. Baruuli spirit mediums do not eat fish. Attitude To Christianity Somewhat receptive Attitude To Religious Change Somewhat receptive Resistance / Receptivity Receptive Spiritual Climate And Openness There are many indications of strong traditional religious practices, some more hidden, some more open. There is a very high level of syncretism! Comment (Religion) There are many impressive religious leaders in the Baruuli area. Many people express a need for Bibles. Many (including teachers) also express a need for the use of the mother-tongue and mother-tongue Scriptures to awaken an interest in people to evangelize. Recommended Approaches Ruruuli Scriptures would be a great tool for evangelism as there is a strong desire for mother-tongue literature. Because of the amount of illiteracy and, as of yet, no Ruruuli Scriptures, storying in Ruruuli would also be very effective. Items For Prayer The spiritual need of the Baruuli and Banyara is great and these people have a sincere desire to see God’s Word translated into their language. History Of Christianity In Group Status of Christianity Year Began 1906 By Whom Anglican Church of Uganda in Nakasongola Comments (History of Christianity) There is also Nakasongola Parish Church, which is a Catholic Church. It was originally founded in 1939 and then fully established in 1940. The new Nakasongola Parish Church was opened by His Eminence Cardinal Emanuel Wamala in March 2005. The Baruuli-Banyara of Uganda Item Name Item Note Scripture Status of Christianity Translation Status Possible Form Of Scripture Available Printed Comment (Form of Scripture Available) Luganda, Runyoro Old Testament/New Testament Bibles Comment (Scripture Use) Pastors and a few individuals use the available Scriptures. Reason For Urgent Need Of Translation The Luganda and Runyoro Scriptures may be adequate for some of the Baruuli, but there are still many for whom they are not adequate. There is a definite need for Scripture Use and Scriptures. There is also a need for literacy. Comment (Scripture) Lack of financial resources and illiteracy impede Scripture distribution and use. Other Forms Of Gospel Available: Literature Yes Other Forms Of Gospel Available: Recordings No Other Forms Of Gospel Available: Film/Videos Yes Other Forms Of Gospel Available: Radio No Missions and Churches Status of Christianity Organization Name World Vision Organization Name > UNLISTED Organization #1 Organization Name > UNLISTED Organization #2 Organization Name > UNLISTED Organization #3