Ruboni village walk, Rwenzori cultural adventure – 3 hours

Introduction:

Live like a Mukonzo in the Rwenzori mountains for up to four hours. Ruboni village walk is an opportunity to meet and mix with the Bakonzo people in Ruboni village. You will be learning the mountain life and how people have coped with the changes in climate and landscapes over years.

The Bakonzo people have lived on the Rwenzori foothills for over 400 years. during this time, they have realized changes in the landscape and have adopted to these environmental changes using their traditional culture and innovation. During this walk, the local community will share some of these cultural innovations as they have emerged and stayed.

The village walk involves visiting up to four different homesteads or village stations and participating in their daily life. it is a hands-on activity for those willing to do what the Bakonzo people do to earn their living. Participate in handicrafts making, traditional story telling, coffee experience, traditional healer and any other areas of your choice a midst the beautiful Rwenzori landscape.

Activity description of Ruboni village walk

Arrive in Ruboni village and check in at your hotel of choice. If you don’t have a hotel booked yet, you can download and book on our mobile application. Check-in the hotel and meet your guide to set up for the walk. The guide will mainly brief you, and ensure you have the right attire, then the walk can begin. you will only take the walk on the same day of arrival if you still have at least 5 hours before dark. otherwise you will rest in the hotel and take the walk the next day.

The story teller: meet the village elder and listen to the traditional stories that are used to pass the culture and traditions of the Bakonzo people to the young generations. some of the stories shared include; the names of the Bakonzo people, the twins celebration, marriage process and procedures, and others.

The traditional healer: Learn how the Bakonzo people have continued to use their natural resources to heal simple ailments without necessarily having to go to the hospitals. The traditional healer will accompany his healing portions with the songs and tricks that help to pass traditional energy to the local people in form of natural blessings and prayers to celebrate nature and culture. you may come back with an instant solution to some personal life challenges.

The craft weaver: Learn how to weave different handicrafts or even come back with your own made Bakonzo craft. The activity will involve preparation of materials and starting a local basket. After the exercise, you may walk in the shop and buy a few crafts having appreciated the local art from the practice you had.

The local farmer: participate in farming some of the tropical crops grown in Ruboni village. these crops include; bananas, coffee, vanilla, or animal rearing and vegetables on a mixed farm garden around the traditional homesteads.

The coffee experience: Follow the coffee from the garden to the cup in an exciting journey with the farmer as she shows you how coffee is planted, grown, harvested, processed and roasted. you will participate in every step of the journey and appreciate the organic taste and aroma of the freshly brewed coffee that you did with your own hands.

The walk starts from your lodge or at the community visitors center. all walks will again end at the community visitors center to give an opportunity of buying some handicrafts.