Princess Joan Nassolo's 'Legend of Buganda': A Manga Style Comic Chronicling The History of The Buganda
Legend of Buganda is a recently released manga style comic series based on the history of Buganda; the largest of Uganda’s recognized traditional kingdoms. It is the brainchild of Her Royal Highness Princess Joan Nassolo Tebatagwabwe, the eldest daughter of Buganda’s current king, Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi. She authored this first volume in order to stimulate engagement with Buganda’s heritage among the kingdom’s youth as well as foreign manga fans. Illustrated by Kampala based Elupe House of Comics and Animation, the first volume is available in Luganda, English, and Japanese, and chronicles the reign of Kabaka Muteesa I in the mid 19th century, when Arab traders and European colonizers first entered the nation.
Cover Image of Legend of Buganda
For those who are unfamiliar with Buganda, can you briefly speak about the role that the kingdom and its culture have historically played in Uganda?
In present-day Uganda, Buganda is the largest of the traditional kingdoms and its rich history can be traced back to the 1200s, making it almost a thousand years old. Buganda’s rich cultural heritage is what has held the kingdom together in both turbulent and peaceful times. One unique feature of Buganda’s culture is that it is closely tied to cultural conservation through our clan system, whereby each clan reveres and protects either a plant or an animal. Buganda was the gateway through which explorers, missionaries, and eventually colonialists, made their foray into what later became Uganda. As a result, the kingdom has been the fulcrum for many political, social, and cultural developments in the country.
How did Legend of Buganda come to be? What role did you play? Why did you feel it necessary to present Buganda’ history in this medium?
The idea came to me as I was reading a Japanese Manga/Comic. The one I was reading at the time was historical, and I was very impressed with the way it was presented, as well as how the information was broken down with the use of imagery and symbols, not so much written out in words. I thought to myself that it would be amazing if some of Buganda’s stories were presented like this. The more I thought of it and all the history, folklores, tales and stories we had, the more excited I got. I looked to see if we had something of the sort, and decided to try it out hence... Legend of Buganda!
I decided to present it this way because not everyone reads history books today. A lot of people prefer taking in information visually - comics, drawings, paintings, animations, illustrations, films etc. In the recognition that culture is dynamic, Buganda also needs to move with the times when appropriate, and find innovative and engaging ways of preserving our history, culture and heritage.
Have you done any writing or other creative work in the past?
Creative writing mostly personally, not published. I have done a bit of photography as well.
What kind of research did you have to do in preparation? Did you have to consult elders or written texts, for example?
Mainly history books and consulting some elders. For some of history, it isn’t written down in books. However a lot of our elders have been a great source of historical events; when you listen to the stories they tell you can’t help but feel like you are transported back in time.
Princess Joan Nassolo Tebatagwabwe of The Buganda
What other parties were involved in bringing the project together?
Other parties include Author, Mr. Waalabyeki Magoba who helped with the Luganda translation. Craig Kibukamusoke, Haruna Sawai and Shohei Soda helped with the Japanese translation. And a lot of great advisers!
What moment in Buganda’s history does Legend of Buganda take place? How accurate is the retelling?
The current volume of LoB takes place in 1856-1884 during Kabaka Muteesa I’s reign, when the Arab traders and European explorers came into Buganda. It is based on factual events, however we do add slight fictional elements to make it more interesting.
How has the book been received by the public so far?
So far the comic has received good reviews, everyone keeps asking me what happens in the next issue! I think people are excited to have something of this sort on the market, an authentic African comic book!
What should we expect from the sequel? The comic book is described on the website as an attempt “to tell the Buganda Kingdom/Ugandan story from ancient Kings to present.” In the future, do you intend to touch on stories and folklore from other tribes and kingdoms in Uganda?
In Luganda we say “Lindirira ebiddako...!” (stay tuned)! I won't give away too much about what happens, but in the next issue we continue to navigate Muteesa’s story and see the first Europeans coming to Buganda, as well as pick up where we left off (If you know, you know).
Yes, we will be touching on Engero (folklore stories) our grandparents used to tell us when we were younger, original stories and stories from other ethnic groups and kingdoms as well.
Why the decision to release a Japanese version? Do you intend to distribute the book internationally?
As I had mentioned before, I am a Japanese manga and comic book fan. And with Japan being one of -if not the biggest comic book markets in the world- I thought a Japanese translation would only make sense. I also see it as an opportunity to share our culture with the rest of the world - “Buganda to the World, Uganda to the World, Africa to the World!”
Yes, we have already distributed some copies internationally, in the U.K, the U.S, Japan, France and Spain. We will also be launching the website soon where people will be able to purchase online copies of the comics.
In what other capacities do you contribute to the kingdom? Are any of them related to arts and culture?
I work with the different Kingdom entities, representing at cultural events, working with development projects in various fields from arts, culture, health and sports. I started the Joan Nassolo Foundation, which is an organisation committed to cultural heritage preservation, youth empowerment and environmental conservation.
What is your vision for the future of Buganda? What aspect of development do you think is most needed by the Kingdom and its citizens?
First and foremost, I hope to protect and preserve the Kingdom of Buganda. With that said my vision is that my generation and the generations to come will remember where they came from and continue to uphold the positive values and norms that make us who we are. I think one of the things we need most is ways to preserve our culture so that it does not die out. As well as innovations, especially from my fellow youth on ways in which to make money and make a living for ourselves and our families. Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of jobs , especially for the brilliant minds that are fresh out of school. Many times once they graduate, they are left sitting at home, waiting for jobs. We need to look to creating jobs that can help sustain and build our communities.
Is there anything else you would like the Tangaza readers to know?
Stay tuned for Issue 2 of Legend of Buganda and other series coming soon
Legend of Buganda is available in select bookstores in Uganda and set for online release in coming months. Keep up with LoB and Princess Nassolo’s other endeavors at nassolo.org.
