Iteso
Encyclopedia
The Teso are an ethnic group in eastern Uganda
and western Kenya
. Teso refers to the traditional homeland of the Iteso, and Ateso is their language.
, i.e., the districts of Amuria
, Soroti
, Kumi
, Katakwi
, Ngora District
, Serere District
, Pallisa
, Bukedea
and Kaberamaido
, as well as Tororo District
and Busia District
. They number about 3.2 million (9.6% of Uganda's population). Until 1959, they were the second largest ethnic group in Uganda. As of 2002 they were the fifth largest.
and migrated south West over a period of centuries. They were part of a larger group of Nilotic peoples who migrated from Sudan in several waves. A splinter of this group later formed a branch called the "Karamojong Cluster" or Ateker
. The Ateker further split into several groups, including Jie
, Turkana
, Karamojong and Teso.
The Teso established themselves in present-day north-eastern Uganda, and in the mid-18th century some began to move farther south. During the course of this latter migration, conflicts ensued with other ethnic groups in the region, leading to the split of Teso territory into a northern and southern part. In 1902, part of eastern Uganda was transferred to western Kenya - leading to further separation of Teso.
Northern Teso occupy the area previously known as Teso District in Uganda (now the districts of Amuria, Soroti, Kumi, Katakwi, Pallisa, Bukedea and Kaberamaido). Southern Teso live mainly in the districts of Tororo and Busia in Uganda, and Busia District in Kenya's Western Province
.
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
and western Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Teso refers to the traditional homeland of the Iteso, and Ateso is their language.
Uganda
In Uganda, the Teso live mainly in Teso sub-regionTeso sub-region
Teso sub-region is a region in Uganda that consists of:* Amuria District* Bukedea District* Kaberamaido District* Katakwi District* Kumi District* Ngora District* Serere District* Soroti District...
, i.e., the districts of Amuria
Amuria District
Amuria District is a district in Eastern Uganda. It is named after its 'chief town', Amuria, the location of the district headquarters.-Location:...
, Soroti
Soroti District
Soroti District is a district in Eastern Uganda. It is named after its chief municipal, administrative and commercial headquarters, Soroti, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Kumi
Kumi District
Kumi District is a district in Eastern Uganda. The largest town in the district is Kumi, and the district headquarters are located there. The district is named after the town.-Location:...
, Katakwi
Katakwi District
Katakwi District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Katakwi, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Ngora District
Ngora District
Ngora District is a district in Eastern Uganda. It is named after its chief municipal, commercial and administrative center, Ngora.-Location:Ngora District is bordered by Soroti District to the northwest, Katakwi District to the northeast, Kumi District to the east, Pallisa District to the south,...
, Serere District
Serere District
Serere District is a district in Eastern Uganda. It's named after its 'chief town', Serere, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Pallisa
Pallisa District
Pallisa District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its chief town, Pallisa, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, Bukedea
Bukedea District
Bukedea District is a district in Eastern Uganda. It's named after its 'chief town', Bukedea, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
and Kaberamaido
Kaberamaido District
Kaberamaido is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town', Kaberamaido, where the district headquarters are located.-Location:...
, as well as Tororo District
Tororo District
Tororo District is a district in Eastern Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its "chief town", Tororo.-Location:Tororo District is bordered by Mbale District to the north, Manafwa District to the northeast, the Republic of Kenya to the east, Busia District to the south,...
and Busia District
Busia District, Uganda
Busia District is a district in the Eastern region of Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its main town, Busia.-Location:...
. They number about 3.2 million (9.6% of Uganda's population). Until 1959, they were the second largest ethnic group in Uganda. As of 2002 they were the fifth largest.
Northern and Southern Teso
Teso traditions relate that they originated somewhere in what is now EthiopiaEthiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
and migrated south West over a period of centuries. They were part of a larger group of Nilotic peoples who migrated from Sudan in several waves. A splinter of this group later formed a branch called the "Karamojong Cluster" or Ateker
Ateker
Ateker or Atekerin is a common name for the closely related Jie, Karamojong, Turkana, Toposa, Nyangatom and Teso peoples and their languages. Itung'a and Teso have been used among ethnographers, while the term Teso-Turkana is sometimes used for the languages, which are of Eastern Nilotic stock....
. The Ateker further split into several groups, including Jie
Jie (Uganda)
The Jie are an ethnic group of Uganda. They belong to the Karamojong Cluster, which also includes the Karamojong and Dodoth people.Their country in northeast Uganda lies between the Dodoth to the north and the Karamojong to the south....
, Turkana
Turkana people
The Turkana are a Nilotic people native to the Turkana District in northwest Kenya, a dry and hot region bordering Lake Turkana in the east, Pokot, Rendille and Samburuto the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan and Ethiopia to the north...
, Karamojong and Teso.
The Teso established themselves in present-day north-eastern Uganda, and in the mid-18th century some began to move farther south. During the course of this latter migration, conflicts ensued with other ethnic groups in the region, leading to the split of Teso territory into a northern and southern part. In 1902, part of eastern Uganda was transferred to western Kenya - leading to further separation of Teso.
Northern Teso occupy the area previously known as Teso District in Uganda (now the districts of Amuria, Soroti, Kumi, Katakwi, Pallisa, Bukedea and Kaberamaido). Southern Teso live mainly in the districts of Tororo and Busia in Uganda, and Busia District in Kenya's Western Province
Western Province (Kenya)
The Western Province of Kenya, bordering Uganda, is one of Kenya's seven administrative provinces outside Nairobi. It is west of the Eastern Rift Valley and is inhabited mainly by the Luhya people. Quakerism is widely practised here. Kenya's second highest mountain, Mount Elgon is located in...
.