Art and ethnobotany: the visual interpretation of herbs used in Bagisu Imbalu rituals

Abstract

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.