History - Kkobe Clan Cultural Heritage

The Legend of the Kkobe Totem

What is Kkobe? Kkobe (is a creeping plant) grown as a food crop. Its fruit is harvested and prepared wholesomely by steaming in banana leaves. It is a delicacy for other Baganda but not the members of the Kkobe clan (Abekkobe), for them it is a taboo to eat it.

The great grandfather and founder of the Kkobe clan, Nsereko Kalamazi, served under the command of King Kintu (1200-1230). They came from exile in Eastern Uganda to attack and overthrow the notorious Bemba Musota, then King of Buganda.

On their way, Nsereko met a girl and fell in love with her and later proposed to her. One day Nsereko in an entourage of friends went to be introduced to his future in-laws. They were warmly welcomed, seated down on animal skins and served to a banquet.

In the middle of the delicious meal, a kkobe fruit fell and hit Nsereko's bald head. Oh! This was a terrible embarrassment to Nsereko in front of the in-laws!"

From that day he cursed the kkobe and he swore and directed that his children and grand children never to eat kkobe. Hence kkobe became their totem to this day.

Nsereko Kalamazi's Legacy

Marriage and Children

The girl Nsereko courted was Namboozo (later changed to Nambooze). He married her and she gave him children, each named to commemorate the kkobe incident:

Male

Meaning: "let's do away with kkobe"

Busuulwa

Meaning: "let us throw away kkobe for good"

Ssebuliba

in memory of the skins on which Nsereko was seated when the kkobe hit him.

Nambooze

Named after her mother

Nsereko Kalamazi joined hands with King Kintu and together they overthrew Bemba Musota, known in Buganda history as a dictator, killer, oppressor, and very corrupt ruler.

After victory, Nsereko settled in Kanyanya near Magonga, Busujju county. Later, he requested the king to be offered Buzimwa area in Mawokota where his brothers had settled earlier. Nsereko's brothers were:

Gubiri
Kakulukuku
Nalugunju

They were under the rule of a Munyoro called Kasamu, The four brothers joined hands and chased away Kasamu, a Munyoro ruler, and other Banyoro chiefs around Teketwe (present-day Buwama), the ancestral headquarters of the Kkobe clan.

The Origin of "Nnamwama"

Nsereko was known for his tactical ways and wisdom in answering the king's questions. He was always first to respond with quick and wise answers, earning him the name 'Namuyama' which later changed to 'Nnamwama'. In Lusese language, 'kwama' means to be the first or to welcome.

Sacred Duty

Nsereko was assigned the duty of regularly fetching god Mukasa (god of the sea and fertility) from Ssese, whenever there was need for divine intervention. The King would ask: "Omugenyi wamuyama?" (did you welcome the guest?), and Nsereko would respond: "Omugenyi namuyama" (Yes, your majesty, I welcomed the visitor).

From 'Namuyama' - Nnamwama, the name of the clan's ancestral headquarters evolved: Buwama, in Mawokota county.

Nsereko's Immediate Descendants

The Kkobe clan forefather Nsereko had more than ten children, however, the following became very famous:

1. Namukangula

A great hunter during King Kintu's reign. He would hunt for the king's meat. He settled in Buzimwa, had no children, and was succeeded by his brother Nankule upon his death.

2. Lwabiriza

King Kintu's chief who settled in Magonga, Busujju county. The king honored him with land in Katoolingo, Busiro county and assigned him duties of:

Digging graves for dead princes
Removing jaw-bones from dead kings for preservation and honor

His most prominent son was Junior Lwabiriza who accompanied prince Kalemeera to Bunyoro.

3. Mabingo Magere

In charge of fixing the king's spear, used for piercing a kob whose skin made the special royal dress called enkanamo. Mabingo settled in Magonga.

4. Kiraga and Nambwami

Placed by Nsereko as symbols of his parentage. When he had twins, they stood in for Nsereko's deceased parents during the ritual called "Okumenya olukanda."

5. Kyana of Tiribogo

From Mawokota county, leads the royal lineage (Olunyiriri olulangira) in the Kkobe clan.

6. Walubandwa - Kabengwa

A great hunter who lived in Buzimwa with other Kkobe clan members and died there.

7. Nakanyakaali

Father to Kakinda of Jjalamba and Mukooge of Ggolo, Mawokota county.

Sacred Locations

Burial Grounds: Buzimwa, Ssabagabo - Mudduuma subcounty, 22 miles along Mityana road
Ancestral Headquarters: Buwama Musaale Subcounty along Kampala-Masaka road
Mysterious Disappearance: Nsereko Kalamazi vanished at Teketwe hill - Buwama

Nsereko had a spear known as "Mazina gandigita" he used in many expansion and conquest wars against the Banyoro. He captured Teketwe, Kayenye, Misindye and Kyabadaaza from them.

Nsereko's last battle against the Banyoro extended as far as Kayenje and Misimdye in Mawokota. During this war he sounded his war drum Tagobwa (the unchallengeable) commanded one of the platoons and usually on the front line. His son Kabengwa who loved his dog like life itself commanded another platoon. He changed the sounding of his father's drum to; "Embwa ekooye gireete erye eggumba. Ye omukazi leka eyo" meaning, "My dog is worn out and hungry serve it with food, don't mind the woman." That lyric later formed part of the Kkobe clan anthem (Omubala).
After Nsereko Kalamazi had defeated all the Banyoro around Teketwe (Buwama) he asked Kabaka Kintu for a permission to settle there so as to continue with the responsibility of always fetching Mukasa from Ssese. It was for this reason that Nsereko acquired two territories including Buzimwa.

Prominent Kkobe Clansmen of Historical Times

These were great men and women in the Kingdom of Buganda who made significant contributions to the kingdom's growth and are still remembered today:

1. Nsereko Kalamazi

The forefather and founder of the Kkobe clan was a fierce warrior who joined hands with Kabaka Kintu to defeat the notorious Bbemba Musota. He also defeated the Banyoro from Mawokota and Butambala counties.

2. Kyewaalabye of Kaabyuma

County chief of Buweekula. The title Luweekula was derived from his name because Banyoro women would flee carrying their children when they heard his name mentioned. Only at a distance would they get the children from their backs ("okuweekula") to feed them.

The Dog Legend

During a war against the Banyoro, when even the women guards fell asleep, only the dogs kept watch and prevented a surprise attack. Kyewaalabye said: "Abakazi leka eyo kasita embwa zange nzitutte" (leave those careless women alone, it's to my advantage that I have my dogs with me). This contributed to the dog's prominence in the Kkobe clan anthem.

3. Ssebuliba of Buddo

Excelled during Kabaka Ssemakookiro's reign. Following the Kabaka's fortuneteller's directives, Ssebuliba was locked in a grass-thatched house that was set on fire to determine if Ssemakookiro would defeat his brother Jjunju.

Ssebuliba survived the fire together with his dog, while all his wives and children deserted him. He pampered the dog even more after this incident. Later, Kabaka Ssemakookiro made him Chief over Buddo Coronation grounds.

4. Mutumba

A great warrior during Kabaka Kyabaggu's time who played a role in expanding the Buganda Kingdom westwards. He chased the Banyoro chiefs from Lubanja in Ssingo County, including the great Namunkululu.

The Ssebuliba River Legend

Legend says that when Ssebuliba (Nnamwama's son) was returning from war, he urinated in a small valley. The direction the urine took mysteriously became the source of a brook called Ssebuliba, which exists to this day. Nnamwama planted "omutuba" at the river's source as a symbol of land ownership.

Notable Women of the Kkobe Clan

Namale Nkomommo - King's court entertainer during Kabaka Edward Muteesa II
Hadija Namale - Prominent clan member
Maliyamy Namale - Distinguished woman of the clan

Legacy and Heritage

The War Drum

Nsereko had a spear known as "Mazina gandigita" and a war drum called "Tagobwa" (the unchallengeable) used in expansion wars against the Banyoro, capturing Teketwe, Kayenye, Misindye, and Kyabadaaza.

Clan Anthem

The clan anthem (Omubala) includes the lyric: "Embwa ekooye gireete erye eggumba. Ye omukazi leka eyo" (My dog is worn out and hungry, serve it with food, don't mind the woman).

Historical Significance

The Kkobe clan played a crucial role in the formation and expansion of the Buganda Kingdom, from the time of King Kintu through various reigns. Their military prowess, strategic wisdom, and cultural contributions have left an indelible mark on Buganda's history.

Today, the clan continues to preserve these traditions and stories, passing them down through generations while maintaining their cultural identity and ancestral connections to Buwama and other sacred sites.

The History of Kkobe Clan