Karamoja

Karamoja is a district in north eastern Uganda, bordering Kenya. The people there are famous for their love of cattle and their tendency to keep to old ways rather than adapt to more modern styles of living working, etc. Most people in Uganda fear them, for they are fierce warriors, even the women, and believe that all cattle not yet in their control are just waiting to come home to them. So their reputation also includes cattle rustling. They have picked up and use modern rifles, which has added to their infamy. (The rest of Uganda has strict gun control laws which are enforced.)

The lady staying in one of Josephine's rooms is from Karamoja. She wears clothes, greets in the local language and is learning to dig. Josephine explained that the lady does not pay rent, nor will she be asked to pay rent. It is common knowledge, that if one asks a Karamajong to pay rent, the one asking will be murdered. Now, Karamajong usually sleep outside, with or near their cattle, so the concept of house/home, rent, utilities, etc really is foreign to them.

One day this lady had visitors, including this cute baby and his older brother. I was allowed to hold the baby for a while, then the mom came and took him for a feeding.