“ Punishment Island” (Okuhana narishi Okufubirwa)” translated in Rukiga

Myths are always factual once seen in sight; a case in point (punishment Island).

Some stories you listen to and think nuh that can’t happen that’s probably a myth 👇🏾

Punishment Island is a folklore among the Bakiga, similar to the Kisiizi falls where pregnant women were thrown over the cliff. Legend has it that, long ago in the greater Kigezi, girls who got pregnant before marriage or matrimony were left stranded on an island. “Kagwa” (punishment Island), as a punishment for their immoral nature. ( so harsh right).

Punishment Island is a spectacular Island to look at with a very rich history and it’s tiny nature. It really looks like a punishment, with one tree growing on the Island (reminds me of punishment tree back in High-school) except this time round one is surrounded by water. The ravens on the Island look like those mocking Ravens in lion king.

( it looks like a flag post from a distance)

Some girls got rescued others starved on the Island. The men who didn’t have enough money for bride price were lucky enough to pick a girl for “free” who had been left on the Island and taken as a bride: since they didn’t have to pay dowry. The girls rescued from the Island were believed to be beautiful while the “ugly” ones were often left behind. But beauty is subjective, in Kikiga culture, love handles and back fat were considered a sign of beauty while today they are considered as unattractive.

The locals further claim there’s a fisherman on the opposite side of the Island who married approximately 18 brides from the Island; he often felt pity for the girls, rescued them and took them to his home to create a family. One of the locals believes no girl ever died on the island as they were often rescued, another believes several girls died on the Island.

With my big head I tell the narrator, the Island is very tiny; my mum asked if I could be left behind 😮‍💨. In response i told her by the end of dawn I would be a fisherman’s bride. 😎

The practice slowly faded as the Bakiga learnt about reconciliation on the other hand in Kisiizi falls, the practice stopped after a woman pulled her brothers hand after attempting to throw her over the falls and they both drowned. Mum remarked; Nanye ndamukwatta tuffe hamwe, (if I was in the same situation, I would have grabbed his hands too and we die together).

I have a common belief, you can’t hail from a place and fail to admire its attractions; i was determined to have my mum have glimpse of the island from where she hails from.

I keep wondering; in our generation what would the situation be like for the Bakiga girls; I also wonder whether the Island could have sunk with the increasing population.

~ Ava Aster ~