UGANDA JOURNAL.


 CORRESPONDENCE




The Nature and Characteristics of the Supreme Being
 Worshipped among the Acholi of Uganda

 Kampala,
 5.5.39.

Honorary Editor,
 Uganda Journal.
 Kampala.

Sir,
 The importance of Lubanga in Acholi mythology appears to be greatly exag-
gerated by Professor Boccassino's article in the last number of the Journal. When
Christianity first began to be introduced to the Acholi the word 'Lubanga' was
used for God in order, I believe, to introduce a new conception of the Almighty
to the old Tribal Deity Jok.
 The Jok manifests himself in many ways and whether he is really one Supreme
being (comparable perhaps with the old testament idea of God) or whether there
are numerous spirits each called Jok is a matter of doubt. What is certain, how-
ever, is that Jok is the supreme being or beings to the pagan Acholi and that
Jok is not held as by any means an inferior or necessarily wicked spirit, this idea
being due largely to the fact of Christian Missions using his name to represent
Satan or the Devil of Christian Literature.
 In his "Study of the Acholi Language", Father Crazzolara says of LUBANGA
"name of a spirit (of Bunioro origin) adopted for God by Missionaries". This
sums up the whole question, and one must feel that Professor Boccassino has been.
confused between the descriptions given him of pagan and Christian Lore.

 I am, Sir,
 Yours faithfully,
 R.M. BERE.