Mukasa (deity)

Mukasa, known as Mugasa in the Runyakitara/Rutara languages,[1] is a member of the pantheon of gods or balubaale in Baganda traditional religion and is considered the god of prosperity, harvest, fertility, and health.[2] In several accounts, he is also associated with divination and prophecies.[3] Mukasa was originally a hero who ascended to become a deity. He is one of the highest ranked gods in the balubaale,[4] and in some sources, is known as its chief.[5]

Mukasa is also recognized as the guardian of Lake Victoria. His primary temple is located in Bubembe Island and is still present to this day.[4]

Representation

Mukasa is depicted as a benevolent god or lubaale.[3][5] He is supposed to dwell in lakes.[1] According to Apollo Kaggwa's (1934) accounts of the Baganda people, Mukasa is one of the most important gods and is widely worshipped.[4]

Family

Mukasa is the son of the god Wanema and is the grandson of Musisi, the personification of earthquake. He has a brother, the god of war, Kibuka.[2][5] He had three wives: Nalwaŋga, with whom he had two children (Lwaŋga and Musozi); Nadjemba, who also had two children (Buguŋgu and Kisituka) with him; and Naku, who bore three of his children (Kaumpuli, Nairuma, and Nanziri). His wives and children are also part of the balubaale.[3]

Myths

Ascension to godhood

When Mukasa was a boy, he suddenly disappeared. When people searched for him, they eventually found Mukasa sitting under a tree in an island far away from his home.[4] Due to this odd occurrence, the people considered Mukasa as a superhuman being, and in his honor, built him a house.[2] Mukasa lived there for a while, helping humans with issues regarding health and prosperity. It is said that Mukasa ate only the heart, liver, and blood of the animals.[4] According to one source, the mortal Mukasa eventually died and became a god.[2] Another source, however, said that Mukasa simply disappeared from earth.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Asante, Molefi Kete; Mazama, Ama (2008-11-26). Encyclopedia of African Religion. SAGE Publications. ISBN 978-1-5063-1786-1.
  2. ^ a b c d Lynch, Patricia Ann; Roberts, Jeremy (2010). African Mythology, A to Z. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4381-3133-7.
  3. ^ a b c d Kagwa, Sir Apolo (1934). The Customs of the Baganda. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-93278-3.
  4. ^ a b c d e Lugira, Aloysius Muzzanganda (2009). African Traditional Religion. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4381-2047-8.
  5. ^ a b c Roscoe, J. (1907). "95. Kibuka, the War God of the Baganda". Man. 7: 161–166. doi:10.2307/2788113. ISSN 0025-1496. JSTOR 2788113.