The Bagesu

By John Roscoe

"The Bagesu" is a detailed ethnographic study of the Gisu people inhabiting the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda. This work offers a comprehensive look at the social structures, religious practices, and domestic life of the community as observed during the early 20th century. The book delves into various aspects of Bagesu culture, including their unique marriage customs, initiation ceremonies, and agricultural methods.

The text meticulously documents the tribe's clan systems and legal traditions, providing invaluable insights into the traditional laws that governed their society. Beyond social organization, the work explores the spiritual world of the Bagesu, detailing their beliefs in ancestral spirits and the rituals performed to maintain communal harmony. As a significant contribution to African ethnography, "The Bagesu" serves as a vital record of East African heritage and social history. It remains an essential resource for those interested in anthropology, African studies, and the preservation of cultural traditions within the Great Lakes region.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025290445
• ISBN13: 9781025290447
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"