Nyangia

Nyangia / Nyangena / Nyangiya

The Nyangia, also called Nyang'i, Nyangea or Nyangiya, are a tribe in North-eastern Uganda on the slopes of Nyangea Mountains, west of Kidepo Valley National Park, on Uganda's border with South Sudan.

The Nyangia are mainly found on the slopes of Nyangea Mountains in Karenga district.

The Nyangia belong to the Nilotic ethnic group.

The Nyangia language is called "Nyangiya" or "Nyang'i".

They are said to have originated from the IK people who currently live on Mount Morungole on Uganda's north-eastern border with Kenya.

According to the legend, after the IK had migrated from Ethiopia to North eastern Uganda in the 16th century, they split into three groups: the So, also called Tepeth (who moved to Mt. Moroto, Mt. Napak, and Mt. Kadam), the Nyangia (who moved to the Nyang'i/Nyangea mountains), and the IK (who are living on Mt. Morungole).

The Nyangia belong to Nyang'i región (on Nyangea mountains, part of Karamoja región) and are governed in a clan system composed of clan elders and opinion leaders.

 

Economy

The Nyangia are agricultural people. They farm sorghum, millet, maize, beans, and other vegetables. Their staple food is Sorghum and Maize. Sorghum or Maize flour is used to make bread. The Nyangia were previously hunter gatherers and pastoralists just like the IK, So (Tepeth), Mening and Napore. But rival tribes, and relocation to mountain slopes caused them to adopt agriculture.

 

Dress Code

The Nyangia traditional dress code is a Maasai shuka and beads jewelry. Men dress in a Maasai shuka either tied diagonally from their shoulder, or in form of a skirt. Women dress in a Maasai shuka skirt with a beads belt. Women wear a series of bangles, necklaces, bracelets and headbands made out of beads.

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