Ik Tribe in Karamoja region
Ik Tribe is the little known tribe in Uganda that leaves in Karenge hills in north eastern part of Uganda bordering south Sudan in south west and Kenya in north east. The Ik largely believe to have migrated from Ethiopia and first settled in Kenya before crossing into Uganda in the lowland of Karamoja region. Book Now
Initially, the Ik tribes were settled in lowland areas of Karamoja region and later were forced into Karenge hills that bordering south Sudan and Kenya, due to the pastoral nature of the tribes within the Karamoja region and neighboring district, tribes were hostile and harsh to them, all this chased the Ik tribe into mountainous area since were fearful and due to their safety thus why they are still leaving in mountain up to date. However, the hospitality never fate when you come to their home, you receive the warm welcome element from this Ik people.
The Ik people live in several small villages arranged in clusters, which comprise the total “community”. Each village is surrounded by an outer wall and dominated on hunter-gatherers and subsistence farming. It also believed that this is the only region which have two season dry and wet season. Ik is just of two letters means ‘’head of migration of the first who migrated’’, this is relatively small tribe similar like any other tribes in Karamoja for example the dress code, the tradition dance, food, life style and the natural language is Teuso.
They are seven district makes up Karamoja region this including Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Amudat, Moroto, Napak and Nakapiripiriti. This north location has given the Karamojong an advantage from western culture filtration and relatively less media penetration. The Ik tribes mostly dominate the Kaabong district. Deep in magnificent hills of Karamoja region, several tribe the Ik inclusive call this home. Currently, Karamoja hosts 13 different tribes that really means are all entered during the Nilotic migration and the typical people called the Karamojong they are only four including the mathenical of Moroto, the Bokora of Napak, the Nyakai the eastern side of the Abim and the Piambe that are the four typical Karamojong since other nine tribes are found within Karamojong region are all called Karamojong.
Away from Ik tribe, the Karamoja region is gifted by nature with beautiful scenery, the landscape makes it a must destination visit for a safari and perfect setting for nature lovers with the oldest mountain known as Mount Napak which has formed in 20 million years ago, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Kidepo Valley National Park, Aruu falls and among other attractions within the region. Species up your safari with other game parks in Uganda include Murchison falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park all this will give you a memorable experience that each and every one should test
