Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts (MTSIFA) Collections

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http://10.29.1.53:4000/handle/10570/178

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 68
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    The trans[form]ing blacksmiths ingenuity from the 19th century pre–colonial Buganda to present Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2026) Nsereko, Joseph Raymond
    Blacksmithing in Buganda had historically been a cornerstone of cultural identity, economic vitality, and artistic expression, yet its transformation through colonial disruptions and modern influences had remained underexplored. The craft’s resilience amidst socio-cultural, political, and economic shifts had offered a lens to examine indigenous ingenuity and its potential for sustainable development in Uganda. The study aimed to trace the historical evolution of blacksmithing in Buganda from the pre colonial era to the present, identify socio-cultural, political, economic, and geographic factors fostering its resilience and transformation, and analyze its artistic material culture to inform strategies for cultural preservation and industrial innovation. Employing an ethnographic approach within a constructivist framework, the research had utilized participant observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, visual documentation, and archival analyses. Data had been collected primarily in Kyaddondo and Butambala counties, focusing on Kasimba clan artisans, with triangulation ensuring robustness of findings. Findings had revealed that pre-colonial blacksmiths had held revered status, crafting royal regalia and tools under monarchical patronage, embedding their work in Buganda’s spiritual and economic systems. Colonial policies had marginalized the craft by prioritizing imported goods, yet artisans had adapted by producing tools for cash-crop economies. Post-independence, political stability and cultural revival had spurred innovation, with blacksmiths using scrap metal to create hybrid products like decorative gates for urban and tourist markets. Resilience had stemmed from clan-based knowledge transmission, ritual practices, and geographic access to trade hubs, though challenges like resource scarcity had persisted. The study had concluded that blacksmithing’s ingenuity had endured through adaptive strategies and cultural pride, offering a model for preserving indigenous crafts. It had recommended establishing cultural centers to document techniques, skills programs to enhance market competitiveness, and policy advocacy to support artisans, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 9 for inclusive industrialization. These efforts could ensure blacksmithing’s legacy as a dynamic expression of Buganda’s identity.
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    Text[il]ing voices: an arts-based feminist inquiry into narratives of agency, resistance, and stigma among Ugandan women affected by sickle cell
    (Makerere University, 2026) Ndagire, Esther
    In this study I explored how textile art functions as a counter-discursive space for the articulating the narratives of Ugandan women who challenge systemic barriers manifested through sickle cell-related stigma. Drawing on feminist disability theory and post structuralist thought, I foreground the lived experiences of women affected by sickle cell, who often navigate socio cultural blame, reproductive surveillance, and social exclusion. These dynamics, I argued, can be exacerbated by Uganda‘s proposed mandatory premarital sickle cell screening policy, which risks reinforcing biomedical narratives and gendered stigma that disproportionately hold women responsible for genetic or hereditary conditions. Through narrative inquiry, I examined the covert and overt forms of resistance enacted by these women. Their narratives challenged stereotypes and myths surrounding courtship and marriage, sexuality, reproduction, and motherhood, reframing sickle cell stigma as a source of agency, resilience and empowerment. Using text[il]ing as a arts-based research approach, I translated the agentic narratives into textile artworks. The resulting artworks do not reflect victimhood, but instead embody the women‘s resistance and reimagine their identities beyond dominant cultural and biomedical framings. In doing so, this research expands the potential of textile art as a feminist research praxis, offering inclusive and interdisciplinary pathways across visual art, gender, disability and public health discourses.
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    Art and ethnobotany: the visual interpretation of herbs used in Bagisu Imbalu rituals
    (Makerere University, 2025) Kirabo, Karen
    The study explored the intersection of art and ethnobotany by examining the visual interpretation of herbs used in Bagisu circumcision rituals (Imbalu) in Uganda. The study investigates how traditional herbal practices and their symbolic meanings are embedded within the cultural fabric of the Bagisu community, focusing on the functional role of these plants in the ritual process. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates ethnographic fieldwork, visual analysis, and artistic practice to document and interpret the cultural significance and visual representations of the herbs. Through interviews with traditional herbalists, cultural practitioners and community elders, the study identified key herbs used in the Imbalu rituals, their roles in spiritual and physical healing, and their connection to Bagisu identity and cosmology. The research also incorporated creative practice as a methodology, producing a series of paintings that visually narrate the symbolic and material aspects of the herbs, and emphasising their importance in sustaining cultural heritage amidst globalisation and modernisation pressures. This interdisciplinary study contributes to the fields of ethnobotany, art, and cultural studies by advancing knowledge of the integration of indigenous knowledge systems and visual arts in cultural preservation. It highlights the potential of art as a medium for documenting, interpreting, and revitalising endangered cultural practices while advocating for the conservation of both intangible heritage and biodiversity in the Bagisu region.
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    Africanised photographic processes for cultural continuity: exploring malaria traditional treatment in Banda Busujju, Mityana District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Semaganda, Joshua Victor
    This study investigated Africanised photographic processes to document traditional malaria treatments in Banda Busujju, Mityana District, Uganda. In Uganda, where malaria remained a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, local communities had long relied on indigenous knowledge for treatment. These traditional methods were not only critical for managing health but were also deeply woven into cultural identity. However, the rapid adoption of urban lifestyles and the effects of climate change threatened the preservation of this knowledge, risking the erasure of valuable cultural heritage. To address this, the research employed Africanised photographic techniques and methods tailored to capture the essence of indigenous practices within the context of local aesthetics and sensibilities. These techniques provided an alternative, culturally resonant way of recording and sharing the medicinal knowledge of herbal remedies, preparations, and healing rituals. The project was guided by ethnographic methodologies, combining visual documentation with interviews and field observations to holistically understand the cultural dimensions of the treatments. By visually capturing the therapeutic processes and community narratives, the research bridged the gap between traditional and modern knowledge systems, promoting cultural continuity. The study’s findings demonstrated the role of Africanised photography in safeguarding cultural heritage while offering insights into the efficacy and relevance of traditional malaria treatments. Additionally, the documentation fostered appreciation and preservation of this indigenous knowledge, providing a resource for future generations and healthcare practitioners interested in integrating traditional and modern treatment approaches. The outcome contributed to both cultural preservation and health innovation, underscoring the value of indigenous knowledge systems in contemporary contexts.
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    A sculptural contextualization of selected Lugbara artifacts
    (Makerere University, 2025) Feni, Desmond
    The ethnic diversity of Uganda is something of beauty. The Lugbara people is one of the groups that have made WestNile their home and have over the years cultivated a rich culture and heritage. Lugbara artifacts continue to be in the shadow of many cultural artifacts which have over the years been researched and explored. This research gives the opportunity for Lugbara artifacts to come to the fore front and take center stage. The purpose of the study is to contextualize selected Lugbara artifacts in sculpture. Sculpture is one of the oldest forms of human creating dating back millennia. The Lugbara have especially functional sculpture which has the capacity for daily use but also entails a huge amount of aesthetic content and beauty. Discussions with Lugbara people defined this research in many unimaginable ways as they were able to provide a lot in oral literature but also access to some of the scarce artifacts. It should be noted that the scope available from which the artifacts cane be selected was vast and narrowing it down came to employing different considerations. These included first and foremost, the appearance of the artifact, the frequency of use among the Lugbara and the cultural significance of the artifact. The selected artifacts included the Envu which is a Lugbara cooking pot made of fired clay. Kobi which is a winnowing shovel used in grain and general food preparation, the Luku, which for this research might carry the most beautiful story and significance, the Luku is a traditional baby cover made by the Lugbara to cover infants by a mother as African culture has women putting their children behind their backs. The Luku then is used to shield the infant from the elements such as rain and sunshine. Koyo and Mari are musical instruments used by the Lugbara in recreation but also if coupled with drums can be used to sound alarms and send communication. Lastly the Adungu which is widely known and is also a musical instrument used in recreation. These artifacts were examined and coupled with the information gathered from interviewing the various Lugbara informants, sculptural expressions were created. Creating sculpture is the surface of how important this research is but enforces the fact that art can play a vital role in creating awareness about the loss and disappearance of our culture in society today and encourage us to conserve it as we best possibly can.