The Acholi: 'Wang oo', 'myel' and 'jok munu' traditions

The group felt that they were being punished for events beyond their control. These restrictions have taken a toll on their mental health, identity and caused their mothers psychological distress.

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Cultural and traditional leaders were called upon to help the children get tribal identification, according to Stella Lanam, Director of War and Children Networking (WVCN).

Apart from identification (collectivity), the Acholi used traditional dances to uphold their cultural fabric and promote mental fortitude.

The Acholi tribe is concentrated in the districts of Gulu, Pader, Lamwo, Kitgum, Nwoya, Omoro, Agago and Amuru. This region has been referred to as the 'Breadbasket of Uganda' and it is a symbol of pride, wealth, unity and peace for the Acholi.

Their sense of well-being was tied to communal living, an interdependent structure where individual life was evaluated on a collective basis with practices like:

Wang oo

This is a collective term for the gathering of Acholi around a fireplace and the activities they engaged in at the occasion. Wang oo was central to the Acholi culture, it was considered an informal school where important elements of the tribe where passed on to new generations.

At the gathering, tribal stories, riddles, proverbs, rituals, taboos, rituals and other forms of information aimed at entertainment, education and psychological boosts were shared.

It was at this event that elders taught the young about their lineage, clan and chiefdom's history. Some conflicts and solutions to problems were discussed and resolved at Wang oo. Agreements and arrangements on tribal issues were also reached and made.

Myel

As part of their communal wellness practices, Myel was a period of expressing emotional distress with the support of community.

They had cultural dances for different occasions to express emotion. Bwola was for honoring chiefs and important guests. Larakaraka was for courtship among the youth.

Even when they were expressing their resistance against colonial authorities, they invented a dance titled 'Jok munu', meaning the white man's spirit.

The dance was accompanied by a song that symbolised their perception of the colonialists.

The song, the Jok munu, is a conventional Acholi song accompanied by dance. The words signify the Acholi’s perceptions of the white colonists.

"Oh the white man drops bombs …

It’s one o’clock, one o’clock

The white man drops bombs …

It’s two o’clock, two o’clock

The white man drops bombs …

It’s three o’clock, three o’clock …

Now the white man takes tea"

Jok Munu preceded the Lamogi rebellion of 1911.