Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts (MTSIFA) Collections

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http://10.29.1.53:4000/handle/10570/178

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 66
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    Art and ethnobotany: the visual interpretation of herbs used in Bagisu Imbalu rituals
    (Makerere University, 2025) Kirabo, Karen
    The study explored the intersection of art and ethnobotany by examining the visual interpretation of herbs used in Bagisu circumcision rituals (Imbalu) in Uganda. The study investigates how traditional herbal practices and their symbolic meanings are embedded within the cultural fabric of the Bagisu community, focusing on the functional role of these plants in the ritual process. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates ethnographic fieldwork, visual analysis, and artistic practice to document and interpret the cultural significance and visual representations of the herbs. Through interviews with traditional herbalists, cultural practitioners and community elders, the study identified key herbs used in the Imbalu rituals, their roles in spiritual and physical healing, and their connection to Bagisu identity and cosmology. The research also incorporated creative practice as a methodology, producing a series of paintings that visually narrate the symbolic and material aspects of the herbs, and emphasising their importance in sustaining cultural heritage amidst globalisation and modernisation pressures. This interdisciplinary study contributes to the fields of ethnobotany, art, and cultural studies by advancing knowledge of the integration of indigenous knowledge systems and visual arts in cultural preservation. It highlights the potential of art as a medium for documenting, interpreting, and revitalising endangered cultural practices while advocating for the conservation of both intangible heritage and biodiversity in the Bagisu region.
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    Africanised photographic processes for cultural continuity: exploring malaria traditional treatment in Banda Busujju, Mityana District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Semaganda, Joshua Victor
    This study investigated Africanised photographic processes to document traditional malaria treatments in Banda Busujju, Mityana District, Uganda. In Uganda, where malaria remained a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, local communities had long relied on indigenous knowledge for treatment. These traditional methods were not only critical for managing health but were also deeply woven into cultural identity. However, the rapid adoption of urban lifestyles and the effects of climate change threatened the preservation of this knowledge, risking the erasure of valuable cultural heritage. To address this, the research employed Africanised photographic techniques and methods tailored to capture the essence of indigenous practices within the context of local aesthetics and sensibilities. These techniques provided an alternative, culturally resonant way of recording and sharing the medicinal knowledge of herbal remedies, preparations, and healing rituals. The project was guided by ethnographic methodologies, combining visual documentation with interviews and field observations to holistically understand the cultural dimensions of the treatments. By visually capturing the therapeutic processes and community narratives, the research bridged the gap between traditional and modern knowledge systems, promoting cultural continuity. The study’s findings demonstrated the role of Africanised photography in safeguarding cultural heritage while offering insights into the efficacy and relevance of traditional malaria treatments. Additionally, the documentation fostered appreciation and preservation of this indigenous knowledge, providing a resource for future generations and healthcare practitioners interested in integrating traditional and modern treatment approaches. The outcome contributed to both cultural preservation and health innovation, underscoring the value of indigenous knowledge systems in contemporary contexts.
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    A sculptural contextualization of selected Lugbara artifacts
    (Makerere University, 2025) Feni, Desmond
    The ethnic diversity of Uganda is something of beauty. The Lugbara people is one of the groups that have made WestNile their home and have over the years cultivated a rich culture and heritage. Lugbara artifacts continue to be in the shadow of many cultural artifacts which have over the years been researched and explored. This research gives the opportunity for Lugbara artifacts to come to the fore front and take center stage. The purpose of the study is to contextualize selected Lugbara artifacts in sculpture. Sculpture is one of the oldest forms of human creating dating back millennia. The Lugbara have especially functional sculpture which has the capacity for daily use but also entails a huge amount of aesthetic content and beauty. Discussions with Lugbara people defined this research in many unimaginable ways as they were able to provide a lot in oral literature but also access to some of the scarce artifacts. It should be noted that the scope available from which the artifacts cane be selected was vast and narrowing it down came to employing different considerations. These included first and foremost, the appearance of the artifact, the frequency of use among the Lugbara and the cultural significance of the artifact. The selected artifacts included the Envu which is a Lugbara cooking pot made of fired clay. Kobi which is a winnowing shovel used in grain and general food preparation, the Luku, which for this research might carry the most beautiful story and significance, the Luku is a traditional baby cover made by the Lugbara to cover infants by a mother as African culture has women putting their children behind their backs. The Luku then is used to shield the infant from the elements such as rain and sunshine. Koyo and Mari are musical instruments used by the Lugbara in recreation but also if coupled with drums can be used to sound alarms and send communication. Lastly the Adungu which is widely known and is also a musical instrument used in recreation. These artifacts were examined and coupled with the information gathered from interviewing the various Lugbara informants, sculptural expressions were created. Creating sculpture is the surface of how important this research is but enforces the fact that art can play a vital role in creating awareness about the loss and disappearance of our culture in society today and encourage us to conserve it as we best possibly can.
  • Item
    A Sculptural Contextualization of selected Lugbara Artifacts
    (Makerere University, 2025) Feni, Desmond
    The ethnic diversity of Uganda is something of beauty. The Lugbara people is one of the groups that have made WestNile their home and have over the years cultivated a rich culture and heritage. Lugbara artifacts continue to be in the shadow of many cultural artifacts which have over the years been researched and explored. This research gives the opportunity for Lugbara artifacts to come to the fore front and take center stage. The purpose of the study is to contextualize selected Lugbara artifacts in sculpture. Sculpture is one of the oldest forms of human creating dating back millennia. The Lugbara have especially functional sculpture which has the capacity for daily use but also entails a huge amount of aesthetic content and beauty. Discussions with Lugbara people defined this research in many unimaginable ways as they were able to provide a lot in oral literature but also access to some of the scarce artifacts. It should be noted that the scope available from which the artifacts cane be selected was vast and narrowing it down came to employing different considerations. These included first and foremost, the appearance of the artifact, the frequency of use among the Lugbara and the cultural significance of the artifact. The selected artifacts included the Envu which is a Lugbara cooking pot made of fired clay. Kobi which is a winnowing shovel used in grain and general food preparation, the Luku, which for this research might carry the most beautiful story and significance, the Luku is a traditional baby cover made by the Lugbara to cover infants by a mother as African culture has women putting their children behind their backs. The Luku then is used to shield the infant from the elements such as rain and sunshine. Koyo and Mari are musical instruments used by the Lugbara in recreation but also if coupled with drums can be used to sound alarms and send communication. Lastly the Adungu which is widely known and is also a musical instrument used in recreation. These artifacts were examined and coupled with the information gathered from interviewing the various Lugbara informants, sculptural expressions were created. Creating sculpture is the surface of how important this research is but enforces the fact that art can play a vital role in creating awareness about the loss and disappearance of our culture in society today and encourage us to conserve it as we best possibly can.
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    Visualizing the traditional dances of the Ajosi and Akogo of Iteso- Eastern Uganda.
    (Makerere University, 2025-12-19) Agama Peter
    This study investigated the cultural heritage, purpose, and significance of Ajosi and Akogo traditional dances among the Iteso people of Eastern Uganda, using practice-based visual research to document endangered performance traditions. Employing qualitative ethnographic and arts-based methodologies, the research included fieldwork across six Teso sub-region districts and studio-based artistic production. Data were collected through participant observation at major cultural events (2023 Akogo Festival, 2024 MDD Festival, Atekere Reunion Festival), semi-structured interviews with 32 participants (elders, cultural leaders, dancers), and visual documentation. Findings revealed that Ajosi serves as a royal dance linked to traditional authority and communal solidarity, while Akogo is performed for courtship. Both dances encode complex cultural knowledge through movement and symbolic adornments (beadwork, animal hides, ostrich feathers, bells), functioning as "embodied archives" that transmit Iteso identity across generations. However, colonial disruption, religious transformation, and modernization threaten their continuity, with knowledge concentrated among aging specialists and declining youth engagement. Methodologically, the study employed artistic media such as charcoal sketching, digital painting, and ink drawing as analytical tools to capture dimensions inaccessible through text or photography, including kinetic energy and spatial choreography. The artworks serve as ethnographic documentation, cultural preservation, and contemporary reinterpretation, aligning with UNESCO's focus on safeguarding intangible heritage while engaging younger generations. The research contributes to visual anthropology (showing artistic production as a knowledge-generating methodology), performance studies (documenting African dance’s ritual and social functions), and practice-based research (establishing visual art as both method and outcome). Recommendations target cultural institutions, educational bodies, artists, government policy, and further research into digital preservation technologies.