Musambwa Island Uganda
Musambwa Island Uganda | Lake Victoria Islands : is generally a series of three rocky islands about 5km away from the shores of kasensero landing site. It is located in Rakai district offshores of Sango bay region on Lake Victoria. In fact, the island derives its name from a local word “Musambwa” which literally means ‘gods’ or ‘spirits’ which appear inform of snakes. On the other hand, the name came up due to the staggering number of snakes in the area. These are believed to be spirits rather than normal snakes. Interestingly, the sland boosts one of the highest morality rates in the world given that no one can have sex. Otherwise, all the spirits will humiliate him or her and the entire population. As a result, has greatly saved the inhabitants from the deadly sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS that is infested on other islands on the lake.
Musambwa Island spiritual myths
According to the myths of this island, it is revealed that two spirits; the male and female were on Lake Victoria. However, they detached and each of them occupied a different and independent island. It is alleged that the female spirit occupied a smaller and unoccupied island while the male is believed to have occupied a busy and populated island. It is also believed that the male spirit hated women. As a way to please it, the early residents of this island decided that they would never have sex on the island. In addition, women were not allowed to ever visit the island.
In fact, these traditions have since then been passed onto the generations up-to-date. The early tales prove that once residents had sex while here, this angered the ‘spirit’ which in turn acted brutally. As a result, the lake turned wild, there were storms which washed houses and trees down. Furthermore, it is said that ‘spirit’ Musambwa took possession of the woman who was involved in the sexual act. She started speaking in unusual way and went on and pointed out the man she was involved with. Afterwards, both were chased away from the island following the orders from the meeting of the elders.
Inhabitants of the Island
The island is a great place worth an adventure in Uganda consisting of nearly (100) people. Here, you will be amazed at how people placidly live with the numerous snakes, birds, men but not women. As a matter of fact, women are not allowed to visit or go near as a way of protecting men from getting sexual temptations. The people living here believe that the true land owners are the spirits. These are in form of snakes while people are simply visitors. According to the testimonies of Emmanuel Kaberenge, one of the first settlers who reached the island in 1964, found only four people here. They informed him about the DO’S and DONT’S on the island and was advised to pass them to the next generations.
Unicity of Musambwa Island
This is the only Island where you will find man placidly co-existing with several species of reptiles particularly the snakes. These are commonly seen in the men’s houses as well as sharing beds with them. The Island has got over 2000 snakes living on the island, reptiles and a numerous number of bird species. Some of the commonly seen snake types include; vipers, African rock-pythons, cobras and reptile species such as monitor lizards. Besides, it s a breeding site for the plovers, egrets, cormorants, not to mention but a few.
Bird species here include; Pied kingfisher, Black crake, Grey headed gull, Long tailed cormorants. Pink-backed pelicans, Common moorhen, Greater cormorants, Water thick-knee, Little egrets. African fish eagle, Malachite kingfisher, Common sandpiper, Lesser flamingos, Green-backed heron, Sacred ibis. Hamerkop, Lesser black-backed gull, Spur winged plover, Grey heron, Yellow billed duck, African fish eagle, Squacco heron, etc.
How to get there
The island can be accessed by the use of a boat, about 5km away from the shores of kasensero landing site in Rakai district on Lake Victoria, Uganda.
