The bakopi in the kingdom of Buganda, 1900-1912

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Periodical article

Title:	The bakopi in the kingdom of Buganda, 1900-1912
Author:	Atanda, J.A.
Year:	1969
Periodical:	Uganda Journal (ISSN 0041-574X)
Volume:	33
Issue:	2
Pages:	151-162
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Uganda Great Britain
Subjects:	farmers colonialism history 1900-1909 1910-1919
Abstract:	An analysis of the condition of the peasant class in the early colonial period. In Ganda traditional society the 'bakopi' were people who 'did not matter'. They were in the period under survey the group of 'undistinguished' persons in Buganda, including any person who was neither a 'mulangira' (prince or descendant of the Kabaka) nor a 'mwami' (a person who rules) and who was not important in any other way. Yet, much happened to the 'bakopi' during the early part of the colonial period worthy of record. If the 'bakopi' were 'undistinguished' as far as getting 'mailo' lands and ruling 'sazas', 'gombololas', 'milukas', were concerned, they were distinguished in the manner of their 'suffering without bitterness'. An analysis of their plight throws some light on the social history of the period, and shows another picture of colonial rule in Buganda, which has hitherto been painted largely with focus on the benefits derived from that rule by the Kabaka and the Bakungu chiefs. Notes.