People and Language Detail Report Profile Year: 2005 Language Name: Ruli ISO Language Code: ruc Primary Religion: Christianity Disciples (Matt 28.19): < 14% Churches: The Baruuli-Banyara of Uganda The Baruuli-Banyara are a people of Central Uganda who generally live near the Nile River-Lake Kyoga basin. The people first settled in the northern part of Uganda, but later migrated to the western parts of Uganda to the Bunyoro 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 Sezibwa River) that separates them. The Baruuli-Banyara culture has acquired cultural aspects of the surrounding Baganda 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 cattle 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 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 Catholic and the Church of Uganda (or Anglican Church) are the two largest 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 syncretism among those who go to church. Scripture Status (Matt 28.20): None Population (date): 140,000 (2002)
Have They Heard The Gospel? 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 Comment (Number Communities) Comment (Churches) Is The Word Of God Translated? Translation Medium Any Hinderance To Scripture Distribution? Forms Of Gospel Presentation Available (Summary) What Kind Of Missionaries Are Needed? Population All Countries syncretistic World Population For This People 139,517 World Population (Date) Profile Summary 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. There are different churches, such as Roman Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostals, Church of God, and Seventh Day Adventists. No Printed and Visual Low literacy rate and poverty. Many do not have the resources to buy a Bible. The Luganda, Runyoro and Lusoga New Testament, Bibles are available and the JESUS Film in Luganda Nationals need training; there are needs in many disciplines like community development projects and more in-depth Bible training (2002 housing and population census) Countries Where People Group Lives Country Name Uganda Geography & Environment Location Ecosystem Type Geological Type Elevation Longitude 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, Nakasongola, Luwero and Kayunga Districts. The Baruuli are a minority people group in the country, although they are the largest ethnic group represented in Nakasongola District. savannah plains Between 621 and 1400 meters above sea level 32 degrees 30' east Latitude 1 degree 30 Climate Comments (Geography & Environment) Map Features Language & Linguistics Primary Language Comment (Alternate Names) Comments (Dialect) Attitude Towards Mother Tongue Comment (Second Language) Linguistically Related Languages Comments (Neighbor Languages) 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. There are large tracks of land, many sparsely populated and underutilized. Victoria Nile River, Lake Kyoga, Masindi Port, River Titi, Lugogo swamp, Sezibwa river and swamp Ruli The alternate names are Ruruuli, Ruduuli and Runyara Eastern Ruruuli, Western Ruruuli, also Runyara Very receptive 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. Nyoro Baruuli are surrounded by Luganda, Lunyoro, Lwo and Lusoga
Literacy Literacy Attitude Active Literacy Program Comment (Active Literacy Program) Comment (Literacy) Economics Subsistence Type Comment (Subsistence Type) Occupation Income Sources Products / Crafts Trade Partners Modernization / Utilities Comment (Economy) Community Development Health Care (Quality) Comment (Health Care) Diet (Quality) Water (Quality) Comment (Water) Shelter Description Electricity Energy/Fuel (Quality) Comment (Energy) Clothing Transportation Very receptive Yes Functional adult literacy program in Luganda 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. Agriculturalists The Baruuli/Banyara are agriculturalists, pastoralists, and fishermen. Peasant farmers grow a variety of crops. In the northern areas of Nakasongola District and in Masindi District, 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, cassava, millet, and maize, as well as lots of mangoes. Charcoal burning; Cash crops include coffee, cotton and groundnuts Basket weaving and carvings; pottery (ntamu) made from special river clay; canoes made from trees; Iron smelting using rare black stone, to create knives Banyoro, Banyankole, Baganda. 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. 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. Poor 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. Fair Poor 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. Homes usually consist of one to two rooms and are made of mud with tin or thatched roofs. No electricity in rural villages Fair wood and charcoal second hand western clothes by foot, motorbike taxis, or bicycles Society & Culture
Family Structures Neighbor Relations Authority / Rule Social Habits/Groupings Identification With National Culture Self Image Comment (Self Image) Judicial / Punishment System Celebrations Recreations Art Forms Media Local Language Broadcasting Attitude To Outsiders Attitude To Change History Of People Group Youth Labor and tasks (6-12 year olds) Comment (Youth) Education Primary Schools 962 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. Good working relationship with neighbors in the people group. Cultural leader and clan heads. In 2004 the Baruuli-Banyara King Isaabaruuli was reinstated. Families Integrated Prestigious In the past the Baruuli were oppressed by the Baganda. Today they are taking more pride in their culture and language. 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. 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. Mostly the men, but some women, gather in the evenings and drink local beer, which is made from millet, maize or bananas. carvings Radio broadcasting in the surrounding language of wider communication (Luganda or Runyoro). none Very receptive Somewhat receptive The Baruuli first settled in Northern Uganda (Apac District). 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. Many children are required to herd cattle, fish, and haul water. Poverty and sickness. Marriage and/or pregnancy for teenage girls. Transient, nomadic families. 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; Luweero: 71; Masindi: 27; Kayunga: 115 Language Of Textbooks Early Years Language Of Textbooks Early Years Language Of Instruction Later Years Language Of Textbooks Later Years Comment (Language Of Instruction) Ganda English English English 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.
Church Growth Reached Status Comment (Total Baptized) Bible Schools 0 Comment (Bible Schools) Christian Clinics/Hospitals 0 Comment (Christian Clinics/Hospitals) Christian Literacy Centers 0 Comment (Christian Literacy Center) Comment (Church Growth) Religion & Response Religious Practices & Ceremonies Attitude To Christianity Attitude To Religious Change Resistance / Receptivity Spiritual Climate And Openness Comment (Religion) Recommended Approaches Items For Prayer History Of Christianity In Group Evaluated The number of believers and those baptized is unknown. There are no Bible schools in the Buruuli area. There are no Christian clinics or hospitals in the Buruuli area. No Christian literacy centers. 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. 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 fatherin-law. Baruuli spirit mediums do not eat fish. Somewhat receptive Somewhat receptive Receptive Year Began 1906 By Whom Comments (History of Christianity) There are many indications of strong traditional religious practices, some more hidden, some more open. There is a very high level of syncretism! 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. 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. 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. Anglican Church of Uganda in Nakasongola 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.
Scripture Translation Status Form Of Scripture Available Comment (Form of Scripture Available) Comment (Scripture Use) Reason For Urgent Need Of Translation Comment (Scripture) Other Forms Of Gospel Available: Literature Other Forms Of Gospel Available: Recordings Other Forms Of Gospel Available: Film/Videos Other Forms Of Gospel Available: Radio Possible Printed Luganda, Runyoro Old Testament/New Testament Bibles Pastors and a few individuals use the available Scriptures. 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. Lack of financial resources and illiteracy impede Scripture distribution and use. Yes No Yes No Missions and Churches Organization Name World Vision Organization Name > UNLISTED Organization #1 Organization Name > UNLISTED Organization #2 Organization Name > UNLISTED Organization #3