Satguru Nanak Sahib Visited Uganda------says Bugunda Queen Mother, Mrs. Sarah Natole.
Satguru Nanak Sahib and Mardana Ji in Bamunanika(Uganda).
The Great Panthic historian, Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu, has given an important reference in "Prachin Panth Prakash" of "Desah Wai"(edition, 1998). These"Desah Wai", are Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.These countries speak Swihilli and Luganda languages which were the languages of Bantu Category."Wa" in Swahilli means "People of", similarly "Jumla" and many other words belong to this language which are in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.This great historian has also confirmed that these countries are in the"Paschim" that is in the west.He is absolutely right in saying that because one earlier historian, named Bhai Sarup Singh Kaushish, in "Guru Kian Sakhian"(1790) has also given a valuable referance of Makhan Shah Lubana.But page 3 of volume-III, of " A Glossary of The Tribes And Castes of the Punjab and Frontier Province(1911) confirms that the Last Name of Makhan Shah was Pilla, but Lubana was his nickname, because his forefather, Diwan Sawan Mal was Married to Mrs Nambi of Lohana Community of Gujrat. Please note that Makhan Shah was a "Masand" of Gujrat. While narrating his family tree, the writer has stated that----Baba Makhan Shah s/oDasa, s/oBanna s/oArtha, s/o Bohru Mal, Ulad Sawne Ki.Who is this Sawan Mal ?. According to the history books of H.A. Rose and others in 1911(volume-1, 2, 3), have clarified that "Sawna" is Diwan Sawan Mal. They have clarified this while writing the history of Lubanas.After a vast research, I have been able to find that Diwan Sawan Mal was the Diwan of Kashmir Riyasat and was settled in Bamunanika(Uganda, Africa). He was a trader by profession, and was married to Mrs. Nambi (reference pp 96 of " A History of Buganda, by Prof. M. S. M.Simakula Kiwanuka, Ph. D. of Makrere University, Kampala).
Mr. Bohru and Sawan Mal used to do the trade from Indian Ocean via Lamu(Kenya), Mombassa.Tanzania,Rwanda,(previously in Congo)and Kampala through Lake Victoria and horse-driven carts. Lake Victoria is spread in three countries- Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania. They did trade with Sudan via Nile River and bullokcarts. Satguru Nanak Sahib and Bhai Sahib Mardana Ji reached Kampala via Kenya, Tanzania, Congo from Somalia and Ethiopia(Previously known as Abyssenia. They reached Abyssenia via Aden(reference "Travels of Guru Nanak" by Prof. Surinder Singh Kohli, 1969).
Bamunanika is about 38 K.M. from the city of Kampala. After the Diwan in Kampala in 1519,Satguru Nanak Sahib and Bhai Sahib Mardana Ji reached Bamunanika by horse-cart and stayed in the fields of Diwan Sawan Mal. Giani Baljeet Singh Khalsa, Head Granthi, of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sikh Road, Nakasero, Kampala, who went with me to Bamunanika and other offices in Jinja, Entebbe, Kampala and elsewhere.We tried our best to get the records for 16th century Bamunanika from Ministry of Lands, Housing And Urban Development, Kampala but for our bad luck, we got the records for Bamunanika from 1900 onwards(reference letter T-59 dated December, 23, 2009 from the same Ministry in my personal name)
Bamunanika is situated near Sudan Road.Woblenzi is 30 K. M. on Sudan Road and Bamunanika is another 8 K.M. from Woblenzi, It is in Lweero district and Bamunanika is a sub-county of the said district.It has a Co-operative Bank, College High School, Telephone facilities other county-offices.
There was famnine in Bamunanika in the reign of Kabaka(King) Jemba(reference"The Legendry Kingdom"by Nicholas K. Ssewanana, published by R.K.Solutions, Kampala).He was the King of Buganda from 1510-1530.The grandmother of the present Kabaka(King), Mrs. Sarah Natole in her letter dated December16, 2009, she has undoubtly confirmed that King Jemba received a bracelet(Kara) from a Indian Saint in 1519. Prof. Lwanga Samwiri Luniigo,Presidential Advisor, confirmed that Bamunanika means to put something either in finger or in arm.Please note that Bamunanika is a Luganda word which means "Bamu"=Some one, Nanika=to decorate(reference A Concise Luganda-English Dictionary, published by Fountain Publishers, Kampala). The old name of Bamunanika was "Bamoli "(reference pp39 of "A History of Buganda by M.S. M. Samukula).Page No.20-21 0f "Nishaan" of Ramgarhia Sikh Society, old Kampala, designed and printed by Oscar Industries, Kampala 2004, also confirmed that the king at that time received a bracelet from Guru Nanak Sahib.
Earlier Bamunanika was in Belmezi county.The previous name of Bamunanika was Bamoli.The Dynesty of King Jemba was Bamoli.This name of Bamunanika was given after the name of Great Satguru by King Jemba.Prof. Surinder Singh Kohli was absolutely right in saying so,as the elderly people told us here in Bamunanika.Almighty Satguru has given the true definition of the creator , the nourisher, the destroyer here. For the last fifty one years, the stupid in me had tottally misunderstood the word"Deeban". According to my limited knowledge, I took its one side. It means "the holy court", but the meaning defined by Almighty Satguru is "Destroyer","Deeban" means "to hit with the arrow".Dear Congregation, in the light of this definition ,the meaning of this 30th Pauri of "Japuji" is fully clear and in line with the theory of "Ek-Oankar".Almighty Satguru had given two Saloks here in the land of Buganda.They are on the Holy page 1279 of SGGS."Nanak Sawan Je Wasey-----------".I have been taking one side of the coin.I thought that "Sawan" is rainy season.But my visit to East African Countries,which are on the other side of the Equator,has removed my long time misunderstanding.The rainy-season months in Uganda are from March to May which is no where near the month of Sawan.Almighty Satguru was addressing Sawan Mal and his son Bohru Mal and others.One meaning of "Sawan" is definitely the month of rain, where, the other part of this was cleared by Great Satguru himself in those two Saloks.The Almighty Satguru addressed Bhai Sawan Mal and others and confirmed that the rain is useful for one and the source of separation for the others.For their detailed meaning of these Saloks, you can see the Steak of Prof. Sahib Singh and others.
Bibliography:
(1)------Letter dated December 16, 2009 by queen mother of the present King (kabaka), Mrs Sarah Natole
(2)-----Letter T-59 dated December 23, 2009 of Ministry of lands, Housing and Urban Development, signed by on behalf of commissioner for land Registration,Sarah kulata.
(3)-----A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province volume (1,2,3) by H,A. Rose and others pulished by Aziz publishers, Urdu bazar lahore ( Pakistan )
1978 its first edition appeared in 1911.
(4)-----Nishaan, Published by Ramgharia Sikh Society old Kampala and printed by Oscar Industries 2004 Issue No 1
(5)-----Guru Kian Sakhian (1790) by Sarup Singh Kaushish published by Singh Brothers, Amritsar 2003.
(6)-----A History of Buganda From the Foundation of the Kingdom to 1900 by M.S.M. Semakula Kiwanuka,Ph.D of Makerere University Kampala, Published by Africana Publishing Corporation, New York, 1972.
(7)------The Legendary Kingdom by Nicholas .K. SSewanyana Published by R and K Solutions Kampala .
(8)-----Prachin Panth Prakash by Rattan Singh Bhangu (1988) published by Bhai Veer Singh Sahit Sadan, New Delhi.
(9)-----The Strugle for Land in Buganda 1888 to 2005 by Prof. Samwiri Lwanga- Lunyiigo, Presendential Adviser, published by Wavah books limited, Kampala 2007.
(10)----- Amannya Amaaganda N'ennono Zaago by M,B Nsimbi Published by Longman Uganda LTD 1990.
(11)-----A Concise Luganda - English Dictionary A.M Bugunywa, and others, Published by Fountains Publishers, Kampala 2009.
(12)---Janamsakhi Meharban, published by Khalsa College, Amritsar, 1962.
copyright by Bhai Harpal Singh Kasoor,2009
Satguru Nanak Sahib went to Port Lehri---Janamsakhi Meharban, 1635.
Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh Verifying Satguru's Visit To Bamunanika, from Local Peoples( By courtesy of Dr. Junoko, Who Seved as Singh Sahib's Translator from Luanda Language To English).
Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Confirms Satguru Nanak Sahib's World Travel.
(by courtesy of Sikh Weekly Newspaper, Toronto, Canada for the week of June,18, 2010).
The Old Kilindini or Lehri Port in Mumbasa(Kenya).
The meaning of Kalindini is deep water or waves in Swahili language, whereas it is called" Lehran" in Hindi( this photo is taken as courtesy of www.mwambao.com).
Satguru Nanak Sahib went to Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia etc. (Habsh Desh). Professor Gurumukh Singh of Lahore 1885.
( By Couresy of Nanak-Zhira, Bidar).
Travel Map By Sikhi Wiki Also Confirms Northern & Eastern Africa.
Special thanks to Sikhi Wiki for bringing the truth to the world.The Jagat-Guru visited Egypt,Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia. Somalia. Tanzania , Congo etc.. Bhai Sahib Mardana Ji and Almighty Satguru Nanak Sahib spent almost 10 months in Africa.( This Photo is taken by the courtesy of www.SikhiWiki ).
Queen Mother,Who Confirmed Receiving The Bracelet by The King(Kabaka).
The Queen Mother,Grand mother of the Present King(Kabaka),Mrs.Sarah Notole,confirmed the getting of a braclet(Kara) from an Indian Saint in 1519.She was born in 1927 and got married with the grand father of the present King(Kabaka) of Buganda in1947, which is a fertile Province and the biggest Province of Uganda( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
The Author With Giani Baljeet Singh Khalsa in Bamunanika(Uganda).
After we got confirmation from some persons of Uganda,we visited Bamunanika many times.Bamunanika is Sub-county now. It is about 38 K,M, from Kampala.It has college High School, Cooperative Bank,County-offices.Earlier it was in Belmonzi County.30 K,M. is on Sudan Road and 8 K.M.is towards right of Woblenzi( fom my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
The Presidetial Adviser,Prof. Lwanga gives the Exact Meaning of Bamunanika.
Prof. Lawang Samwiri,the Presidential Advisor, is a writer himself.His office is located on Parliament Avenue,and adjacant to Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.He accompanied us to the Principal secretary,Mrs. R.V.Mulungwa.He made the exact definition of the word "Bamunanika" According to him, this word belongs to Luganda Language of Buganda Tribe."Bamu" means "some one" and "Nanika" means "to decorate a finger or arm".Accepting the gift of arm is fully justified.Hence, bracelet(Kara) is fully understandable( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
The Congregation at the International Gates(Sarbat-Da-Bhala palace)in Bamunanika.
From left-to-right---The author,Dr. Juuko,Our Luganda translator,Giani Baljeet Singh Khalsa,Jaswinder Singh,Narain Singh Bajwa,and Atam singh around the International Gates, where Satguru Nanak Sahib and Bhai Sahib Mardana Ji sat in the fields of Sawan Mal.There was a hut there,the elderly people of Bamunanika told us.
The Holy Spring of Clear and sweet water in the Field of Diwan Sawan Mal in Bamunanika.
On the requst of Bohru Satguru Nanak Sahib solved the problem of salty water of Lake Victoria and Nile river.Satguru blessed the people of Bamunanika with two springs. The other spring has pipelines now,that is why we cannot see that spring.After spending two weeks with the villagers, Almmighty Satguru accepted the "Daswand" of Ostrich-cart on Behalf of King Jemba for Gullu falls on their way to Sudan( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
Giani Baljeet Singh Khalsa and N. S. Bajwa tasting the Holy and Sweet Water.
Giani Baljeet singh Khalsa and N. S. Bajwa confirmed the sweetness of the Holy water.The chief character of this spring is that the same quantity of water comes from beneath the earth, which the village people take from it.( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
Confirmation Letter From Buganda Queen's Regarding Gift To King Jemba.
The Queen Mother, who is the grand-mother of the present King (Kabaka Ronald Mutessa -I). She was born in year 1927 and married to the grand-father of the present King in 1947. She clearly confirmed that King Jemba (1510-1530) Reference (The legendary Kingdom by Nicholas.K.Ssewanyana, published by R.and K.Solutions,Kampala) received a gift of a steel braclet (KARA).Her present age is about 82 years and her memory is perfect. You can see her pictures on my web-site. This letter was duly signed by the Prime Minister of the Queen Mother( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
Luganda Version of the Above Letter.
The letter is a translation in local language (Luganda), written and translated by the Prime Minister Hon. SSEBYATIKA SULAIMAN. The Prime Minister is known as "KATIKIRO". in Luganda language.
"The NAMASOLE'' is known as The Queen Mother in local language.
"The NAMASOLE'' is known as The Queen Mother in local language.
Limitation of Old Records For Bamunanika.
This letter is from the Commisioner for Land Registration, which clearly shows their inability to find the old records of the town Bamunanika in Lweero district, because there was fighting among the tribes. During the insurgency and unrest amongst themselves, they happened to have destroyed the old records and valuable information. Uganda has only records from the British period which starts from year 1900 as indicated in the letter. The History of Uganda has been written by exterior sources, particularly European Travellers and Arabic Writers. Thus, Ugandan History has not been written from the original source (reference George White, Professor of History).( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
PAGE NO.96 Confirming Name Of The Wife Of SAWAN MAL (First Sikh Preacher).
This is the page number 96 from the book prepared from some original source derived from "A HISTORY OF BUGANDA" from the Foundation of the Kingdom to 1900, by DR.M.S.M. Semakula Kiwanuka, published in 1972 by Africana Publishing Corporation New york.The Name of the wife of Diwan Sawan Mal was Nambi. She was the daughter of Lohana community.In Luganda Language,"Gulu" is known as Guru. People of the region thought that both Sawan Mal and Nambi were sent by the Guru (Gulu).( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
PAGE NO.39 Confirming The Disintegration Of The Kingdom, In Which BAMUNANIKA Falls.( The Previous name of this town was "Bamoli).
The disintegration of BACWEZI KINGDOM in which Bamunanika falls, was mingled with King Jemba. The old name of Bamunanika was 'Bamoli" and it was renamed by King Jemba as"Bamunanika'', after the name of the Almighty SATGURU NANAK SAHIB (The statement of the elderly people of Bamunanika fully tallies with that of "TRAVELS OF GURU NANAK'' by Late Prof. Surinder Singh Kohli, published by Publicatuion Bureau, Punjab University, Chandigarh -1969.
From Bamunanika both Almighty Satguru Nanak Sahib and Bhai Sahib Mardana ji went to the village Bugungu in former district of Acholi,which is divided into Gullu and Kuchkuma.The District Headquarters of Acholi district("Acholi" is the language of that area), was at Gullu.For more detail, please see "Satguru Nanak Sahib In Gulu District"( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
Copy Right 2009 by Bhai Harpal Singh Kasoor.
From Bamunanika both Almighty Satguru Nanak Sahib and Bhai Sahib Mardana ji went to the village Bugungu in former district of Acholi,which is divided into Gullu and Kuchkuma.The District Headquarters of Acholi district("Acholi" is the language of that area), was at Gullu.For more detail, please see "Satguru Nanak Sahib In Gulu District"( from my Photo-Album of East-Africa).
Copy Right 2009 by Bhai Harpal Singh Kasoor.