A History of Yakani Spirit among the Lugbara of Terego in the West Nile Region of Uganda 1883-2025
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Date
2026-10-17
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Gulu Univesity
Abstract
This study investigates the historical evolution and socio-political significance of the Yakani Spirit among the Lugbara of Terego in Uganda’s West Nile region from 1883 to 2025. It traces its transformation from a strong anti-colonial resistance movement into a resilient contemporary cultural and spiritual practice. The specific objectives were; (i) To establish the origin and evolution of Yakani Spirit belief among the Terego people in the West Nile Region from 1883 2025, (ii) To explore the rituals and practices associated with Yakani Spirit among the Terego people in the West Nile Region from 1883-2025, (iii) To examine the impact of external influences, including Christianity, Islam, and modernization, on the traditional beliefs and practices related to Yakani Spirit among the Terego people from 1883-2025, (iv) To assess the effect of Yakani Spirit belief and practices on the Terego people from 1883-2025. Utilizing a qualitative historical-ethnographic methodology involving oral narratives from Participant, and focus group discussions, the research examines how the spirit provided communal unity against external aggression and navigated severe colonial suppression to maintain its relevance. The findings indicate that Yakani Spirit among the Terego people originated from South Sudan through
cross-border interactions linking figures of Azibo, Mirio Omba, and Rembe. Yakani Spirit was important to the spiritual, social, and cultural life of the Terego people, with rituals and practices that served as moral order, communal cohesion, and continuity of ancestral knowledge. The findings also revealed that Christianity, Islam, and modernization reshaped Yakani Spirit beliefs among the Terego people, discouraging public rituals and Introducing new worldviews. The Yakani Spirit belief and practice had significant social, economic, political, and judicial effects among the people of Terego in the West Nile District. Consequently, the study concludes that the spirit remains a cornerstone of regional heritage and recommends that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities formally document its historical sites while educational institutions integrate these indigenous knowledge systems into local curricula to preserve the mysterious legacy of the Lugbara people.
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Candiru Zainab (2026) A History of Yakani Spirit among the Lugbara of Terego in the West Nile Region of Uganda 1883-2025