Bagisu
The Bagisu ("People of Bugisu"), also Gisu , Gishu, Masaba or Sokwia , are an ethnic group in eastern Uganda and culturally closely related to the Bukusu in Kenya .
The Bagisu live mainly in the Mbale district on the slopes of Mount Elgon . They speak a dialect of the Bantu Masaaba language called Lugisu and they can easily understand the speaker of other Masaaba dialects.
Culture
The Gisu celebrate a circumcision ritual called Imbalu . The ritual is held every other year in August. The ludaya , the only flute played in Uganda, is part of their traditional music .
Web links
- Imbalu: Ritual of Manhood of the Gisu of Uganda. therai.org.uk/film
- Account of the Imbalu ritual
- Uganda: 'Imbalu' the Gateway to Manhood