 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2009) |
The Iteso or Teso people are an ethnic group in Uganda (eastern) and Kenya (western). They are the second largest ethnic group in Uganda, living mainly in Teso sub-region, i.e., the districts of Amuria, Soroti, Kumi, Katakwi, Pallisa, Bukedea, Kaberamaido and Tororo. In Kenya they live in Teso District.
Teso is the name of the area where Iteso traditionally live. They speak Ateso language. Etesot refers to a singular male, and Atesot is a singular female.
According to anthropologists, the Iteso are part of a group that migrated from Ethiopia around 1600 A.D. and split into two branches, with one branch moving to present day Kenya to form the Kalenjin group and Maasai cluster. The other branch, called Ateker migrated westwards. Ateker or Luk'ateker (from the clan) further split into several groups, including Jie, Turkana in present day Kenya, and Iteso, Karamojong and Kumam in present day Uganda.
Originally a cattle herding people similar to the Karamajong, the Iteso have adopted a less nomadic lifestyle and have settled into mixed farming. Recent cattle raids by the Karamajong, after they acquired automatic weapons, resulted in a sharp decline in cattle herding by the Iteso. In the northern parts of their regions many people have moved to displaced people camps fearing night-time incursions by Karamajong raiders.
They have also grouped under into a kingdom headed by the Emorimor
References
 |
This Uganda-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This article about a Kenyan ethnicity is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
At the moment, the Iteso community in uganda and Kenya is trying to reunite under one kingdom headed by Emorimor papa k'iteso. Their main concern is the continuity of the group which they best put in the slogan: 'emuria koliae' whihich literally means grass should continue growing!The Teso culture is still being practiced despite westernization.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
