The Sacred Of Ssese Islands

The Ssese Islands are a few most remarkable and hidden natural wonders that Uganda offers to its world travelers on safari in Africa. These hidden treasures are largely tropical Islands that straddle within Lake Victoria-the largest fresh water body in Uganda and East Africa at large. The Ssese Islands feature among the very few most hidden natural wonders in Uganda and amazingly, they have not been fully explored by most travelers on Uganda safari and yet it comes with exciting and interesting tourist activities such as sun bathing, relaxing in the beaches, swimming, nature walks, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, quad biking, boat cruise, exploring Ngamba chimpanzee Island, sunset cruises, wind surfing and many more. A trip to Bugala Island which features as the major tourist hub on the Ssese Islands has become simple as there are two (2) big ferries that serve Bugala Island and the main land. The ferry is at Nakiwogo dock and it runs on daily basis to Kalangala Island to Lutoboka.

The most interesting sacred places to visit while on a trip to Ssese Island include;

• The sacred shrines of Ssese Islands

While on safari to Ssese Islands, never miss to explore in depth the sacred shrines within the Island that comes with lots of roasted coffee beans wrapped in dry banana fibers, different sizes of baskets, gourds and spears with rare shapes and many more.

• The Nanziri waterfalls

The Nanziri falls are found within the Bukasa Islands and they are accessible using fast boat that sets off from Port Bell. This unique waterfall is believed to have not drawn its water from the River. You will spend about 3 hours to reach Lutoboka bay on Bugala Island and where need be, you can have lunch then set off to Mwena Landing site where you will connect to Bukasa Island where the mysterious Nanziri waterfalls are found as well as the Bubeke the site where the Wanema’s shrine is found. The Nanziri waterfall takes about one hour of meandering walk via the grasslands and dense forest and along the way, the first incredible sacred site are the waterfalls and the Nanziri cave. There are guides to take you through these natural wonders and in most cases, you will be advised to maintain silence and take off your shores as you get to the rock shaped like chair that is known to be the guard’s seat. Usually, this is the place where the guide can brief you on rules and regulations of visiting the site and the sacrifices that include the roasted coffee beans, coins, meat as way of pleasing the spirits and Nanziri, the god of the waterfalls. The remains of the burnt firewood are signs of sacrifices provided at the site. After, you can hike to the Nanziri cave that features several chambers that are believed to be rooms from where more sacrifices are made and prayers for blessings and fortunes that include fertility, wealth, protection, long life, safety while traveling on water and heavy catches of fish are sought. The Nanziri fall flows from a 40 feet high rock into the shallow pool where people come and look for blessings and healings from different ailments swim oblivious of anyone searching at them.

• The Wanema’s shrine

Wanema’s shrine is another incredible sacred place that is worth visiting while on safari to Ssese Islands. The shrine is found about 40 kilometers off the Bubeke which is the popular palace for the historical Wanema. The palace features grass thatched houses and well kept reed fence that are attended by grown up women who have much information about its history and cultural significance to islanders and Buganda Kingdom. You will be advised not to take any pictures.

The palace comes with variety of rituals, sacrifices and prayers are provided by several people who are looking for fortunes. And only prayers for healing are encouraged provided one believes in what they are looking for. People whose prayers are answered come back voluntarily with gifts of appreciation such as goats, chicken, monkey and goats. The palace is situated within the clan land famously called Ekigo kya Wanema. It is believed that Ssemusulo who later became famous as Wanema which means the lame was bitten by a dog at a time when he visited his maternal uncle-Wamala.

Also, Ssemusulo Wanema fell in the pit as he was uprooting mushrooms and his foot was broken. The other exciting story about the area is that when Kabaka Nakibinge visited the Island in the 16^th century to look for support from Wanema in the fight against Bunyoro. The King asked Wanema for his youngest son-Kyobe Kyomubazzi became known as Kibuuka mu Mbale to assist him in the fight against the Banyoro. Wanema before declined arguing Kyobe was his treasured son who helped him fetch water but after sometime, he was convinced to surrender the son based on condition that in case he died in combat, his remains were to be returned to the Island. However, the tall and strong Kibuuka was a deity in human kind, he managed to fly high above the clouds and shower spears down on the enemy.

Because of the aerial attacks, rout followed rout and the tide of war reversed swiftly in Nakibinge’s side as Buganda’s army continued to enter deeper into Bunyoro territory. Whereas Buganda went on to win the battle, Kibuuka never lived to enjoy the spoils. After a successful war, the Baganda soldiers captured many Banyoro maidens and offered one to Kibuuka as his mistress. He unveiled to the Munyoro girl his secret only to realize that she had disappeared at night. The following day, Kibuuka sailed up into the sky and was greeted by a barrage of Bunyoro spears and arrows projected up towards the clouds. Kibuuka was wounded and feel onto a tall tree where he was sighted the following day.

The other Island known as Bubembe is famously explored site that is treated with awe. A well kept compound with grass thatched houses where rituals are conducted for fortunes. The place is popular for offering wealth, fertility to women and partners to the singles. Currently, many people from the islands and outside Kalangala pay a visit to the sacred trees to seek for blessings of all kinds. It is also believed that whoever fails to respect the rituals linked with the sacred sites won’t avoid misfortunes befalling him.

Buswa forest is another remarkable site where a rare stick known as Damula is got. The forest is a cultural site which features a spring of water in which the stick is cleaned. This stick is said to have been passed on to all the reigning Kings of Buganda. The other important site that is worth visiting is the rocky landing site known as Nkose which is said to be nearest fishing village to the Tanzania border, where deities are worshipped, believers get possessed and the errant faithful are punished. All the sacred sites in Ssese Islands feature drumming and singing to praise the goddesses and offerings.

In conclusion, Ssese Islands comprise of about 84 distinct Islands most of which have not yet been fully discovered. These Islands feature variety of unique sacred sites that are worth exploring while you are on safari in Uganda.