Abayudaya: The Jewish People

Meet the Abayudaya (in Luganda, literally, "the Jewish people"). 

Photo from the website of Bechol Lashon.

Numbering at approximately 1500, they are a Ugandan, homegrown group of Jewish practitioners whose faith comes not from a tradition of lineage from Jewish ancestors, but rather the declared faith of their founder, Semei Kakungulu.  According to the account given by community members to Richard Sobol, in 1919, Kakungulu, a powerful leader at the time of British colonization, went into seclusion to study the Bible.  In his reading, he surmised an authenticity in the Jewish Bible and the laws it laid out.  Beginning with the circumcision of himself and his sons, he began to practice the faith prescribed by the Old Testament. Kakungulu was a powerful man and others followed his example, and soon enough there was a small but growing group of these new Old Testament practitioners, miles and worlds away from any Jewish community.  And thus began the tribe that, still today, thrives on Nabugoye Hill and surrounding villages near the eastern Ugandan city of Mbale.  

Over the years, the Abayudaya have connected with Jews from around the world, learning about the development of post-Biblical Jewish tradition and ritual and taking on many of the customs practiced by Jews worldwide, but with their own, distinct flavor.  In 2002, more than 300 members of the community were converted by a Conservative Jewish Beit Din.  While they were forced into hiding during the reign of Idi Amin and struggle with issues of clean water, health, and education as many other communities do in their area, members of this community practice their faith with a conviction which rivals that of many, if not most Jews today.

(This information is summarized from "Abayudaya: The Jews of Uganda" by Richard Sobol, supplemented by information from conversations with community members on a brief, prior trip to the community.)

"There are Jews in Uganda???"

A conversation I've had often over the past few months:
"So, what are your plans for the summer?"
"I'll be in Uganda, actually."
"Huh, doing what?"
"Living, researching and volunteering with a Jewish tribe there."
Slow nod, eyes narrow, and then:
"Wait, there are Jews in Uganda??

They are the Abayudaya, and their community will be my home for seven weeks this summer.  My goal, when I return to Nabugoye (where the largest group resides) in less than three weeks, is to dig past the amazing story of the birth of a new Jewish group, bred in isolation and slowly finding a place on the Jewish world stage.  I will strive to experience and view a faith through a different lens, one that is far away from my world of Jewish day schools,  abundant synagogues and matzo ball soup as a universal cultural reference.  And of course, as an avid proponent of sustainable development, I hope to contribute to the community in a meaningful way, most probably through work in the local schools.

I go in humbly. I make no grand promises, and realize the limitations of my knowledge, and what I can bring. I'm a college sophomore, not necessarily equipped with the intellectual tools of the well-tuned academic.  I've spent only seven prior weeks of my life in Uganda, and only 3 days of those weeks in Nabugoye. I also realize that I am a guest in a community which is welcoming me graciously, to whom I will undoubtedly owe so much and for whom I already have the highest respect. 

What I do hope to bring to you, with their permission and support, are the voices of the people I meet--not "the customs of the Abayudaya" but the individual perspectives of those really practicing and living their faith, and the ways in which individual community members really experience Judaism in the cultural, geographical, social and religious context of the rural Ugandan milieu. 

Until I leave, I'll update on plans and fun facts I'm picking up from my prep research. (And if anyone has any particular questions or curiosities, please let me know!)

Shalom for now,

Nava

A member of the community reads from a Lugandan translation of the Bible. (Photo by Richard Sobol)