Abstract

Since the pacification of Uganda by the British Imperial Government in 1894, up to the time Nubians were recognized as an ethnic community in 1995, they continue to retain their indigenous ethnic identity, through professing Islam, speaking their traditional language (Ki-Nubi) and practicing their own traditional values, for example traditional dressings and foods. Nubians quest for survival as an ethnic group has been threatened over the time by the incursion of the negative political and social forces right from 1894 to 1995. This situation impacted their existence as an ethnic minority in Uganda. Using a qualitative approach and a historical research design, drawing on both written and oral information, this particular study established that Nubians faced myriads of both political and social challenges from the time of their systematic arrival in Uganda up to when they gained their ethnic recognition. This situation however, did not deter has not deterred the Nubis to identify themselves as an ethnic minority in a multi-ethnic Ugandan society. The Nubis as they are conventionally known devised strategies or methods that helped them survive as an ethnic minority of their settlement. The study concludes that regardless of the social-political challenges facing the Nubis of Uganda, they continue to survive as an ethnic cluster. through Islam which forms part of their culture and not a mere religion.

Key words: Nubians, ethnicity, survival, Nubis, traditions, Islam, language, conglomeration, discrimination, minority.