Local culture experiences
Immerse into the sebei Culture
We organise a variety of activities that make you experience one of the most pristine cultures in Uganda. Connect with the warm people that inhabit Mount Elgon, the Sebei people. Our local culture experiences are interactive, fun and full of interesting learnings about this unique tribe in Eastern Uganda.
Experience the ancient culture of the Sebei people in a natural cave close to Home of Friends. Sing & dance the authentic songs, listen to the stories of elders and try out their food!
$39 maximum per person / 2 hours
(minimum of five people)
Try some authentic African cooking and learn how to prepare your own traditional meal. And of course: enjoy eating it! Our Kapchorwa mamas show and teach you their amazing skills. Explore a healthy life!
$35 maximum per person / 2 hours
(minimum of 2 participants)
Learn everything about Sipi Arabica coffee, from seed to cup! Get to know the origin and how local farmers maintain plantations organically. A practical and fun cultural experience.
$15 per person / 3-4 hours
(excluding transport to and from)
The traditions of marriage. The battles of its warriors. The special powers of its prophets. Learn about the Sebei culture during a storytelling session around the Home of Friends campfire.
$25 maximum per person / 1,5 hours
(minimum of 3 participants)
Most of our guided hiking tours also offer some cultural aspect and connection to the local communities. So if you like to combine nature, culture and being active, don’t forget to check out these tours too!
Celebrate the Sebei culture
At Home of Friends we like to celebrate the Sebei culture. The Sebei people live in the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo, on the Ugandan side of Mount Elgon. Their language is called ‘Kupsapiiny’.
The Sebei Cultural Storytellers
We work together with the Sebei Cultural Storytellers since 2018. The Sebei Cultural Storytellers is a group of Kapchorwa youth on a mission to revive the ancient Sebei culture. The groups performs at local weddings and also organises cultural experiences for tourists. The first cultural activity we developed together is the Cave Experience. The Cave Experience teaches tourists about traditional cultural themes such as marriage, war and male circumcision. In a fun and engaging way.
Name giving ceremony: a fun cultural experience
Sebei ancestors used to put a fruit on a stick to determine the right name for their newborns. If you mention an ancestor’s name and the fruit tumbles from the stick, it is not the rightful name. But if the fruit remains on top, you have found your name! This is a fun and interactive cultural experience, especially for children:
What is your Sebei CULTURAL name?
Cheptegei means ‘born on the veranda’. Kiprotich means ‘born in the evening when the cows came back from grazing’. What is your Sebei cultural name? Find it out during one of our cultural experiences.
games to prepare for war in Sebei Land
The Sabiny region suffered a lot from Karamojong cattle raids. The last insurgency took place in the 90’s of the last century. Also in ancient times, war was a common thing. The prophet would predict at what time enemies would attack. The Sebei ancestors would hide in one of the many caves. Songs were performed to chase away the evil visitors or to pray for a successful fight. Another form of war preparation was by practicing fighting skills through games such as wrestling, bow & arrow and stick fighting:
TRADITIONAL dance AND Music
During our Mosopisiek Trail you can opt in for a traditional dance activity. Cultural instruments are on display. Popular songs are about agony, victory and welcoming visitors:
Cave Museum Visit
The latest addition to our cultural activity offer is the Cave Museum visit. Semu and his son Poul take you through the history and culture of the Sebei people. All in a cultural cave at a 20 minutes’ walk from our Guesthouse.