Abstract: | On March 2, 1966, Patrick Kaboyo was crowned Omukama of Toro in succession to his father, Sir George Rukiidi. A detailed programme of the ceremonies is reprinted here. The history of Toro as an independent kingdom goes back to about 1830. When the power of Bunyoro was revived under Cwa II Kabarega Toro came for a time under the rule of Bunyoro again. In 1891 Lugard restored Toro as a Kingdom under Kasagama. No coronation took place until 1908. An eye-witness account of Kasagama's coronation is also reprinted here, written by Mrs. H.M. Bond, wife of the C.M.S. missionary Dr. Ashton Bond then in charge of Kabarol Hospital. It has not been possible to find a contemporary eye-witness account of the coronation of Sir George Rukiidi. In 1908 it is possible that some ceremonies took place which were not witnessed by Europeans, but it is quite clear that the ceremonies were considerably modified on this occasion. The 1966 Toro programme shows a careful balance between traditional ritual and twentieth-century elements. |